Sports coach

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• volunteering

University

You can take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

• sports coaching and development
• sports and exercise science
• sports studies
• physical education

Entry requirements:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You can do a college course as a way into this career, for example:

• sport
• sports coaching and development
• coaching sports and fitness

You may be able to do a coaching qualification that's specific to your chosen sport.

Sports include:

• tennis and cricket
• netball and basketball
• hockey
• martial arts

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship to begin your career in coaching.

These include:

• Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Personal Trainer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Community Sport and Health Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Sports Coach Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take up to 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

If you're working in sport already, for example in a leisure centre, as a sports teacher or with a sports club, you can take a professional coaching qualification recognised by the national governing body for your sport.

Volunteering

You could get experience as an assistant sports coach by volunteering for a few hours a week with a club or amateur team. This is a common way to start a coaching career.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• leadership skills
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• the ability to monitor performance
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to use your initiative
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• the ability to motivate and manage staff
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• customer service skills
• knowledge of systems analysis and development
• thinking and reasoning skills
• knowledge of psychology
• business management skills
• a good memory
• concentration skills
• physical fitness and endurance

What you'll do:

Sports coaches teach sports skills to individuals and teams of all abilities.

As a sports coach, you could:

• plan fun, engaging and safe coaching activities and sessions
• give feedback on performance and how to improve skills and technique
• motivate and inspire your students to fulfil their potential
• offer advice on nutrition, lifestyle and preparation
• design advanced programmes for elite sportspersons
• support performers at events and competitions

Location : You could work at a fitness centre, on a sports field, at a university, at a school or at a college.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Salary:

Starter : £19,000
Experienced : £28,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

0 - 0 hours

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a coach development officer, helping other coaches improve their skills and gain qualifications.

You might also move into:

• sports development in the community
• sports psychology
• physical education teaching
• coaching people who have specific conditions or impairments