Sports development officer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering
• applying directly

University

You'll find it useful to have a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a related subject like:

• sports development or management
• sports coaching
• sports science
• leisure studies

It's important to get work experience in community sport during your studies as most employers expect this. Talk to your university careers service for help and advice on finding internship, year placement and volunteering opportunities.

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 could take a course in college to give you some of the skills and knowledge to start out as a trainee in this role. Courses include:

• level 2 Qualification in Community Sports Leadership
• level 3 Certificate in Sports Development

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by starting with an advanced apprenticeship as a community sport and health officer.

This typically takes around 16 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and study with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements:

Volunteering

You can get useful experience by playing sports, volunteering as a coach, helping out on community and holiday sports schemes, or working with a local sports club.

This can help to build up your skills and confidence and may lead to getting professional coaching qualifications.

You can search for opportunities through:

• Do-It
• NCVO

DirectApplication

You can apply directly for jobs if you've got some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this role, for example through coaching qualifications.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• sensitivity and understanding
• leadership skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work on your own
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of public safety and security
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• customer service skills
• a desire to help people
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to teach pupils how to do something
• thinking and reasoning skills
• concentration skills
• physical fitness and endurance

What you'll do:

Sports development officers organise projects and training to encourage people to take part in sport and have a healthier lifestyle.

In this role, you could:

• find and train staff, coaches and volunteers for projects
• promote and run projects and activities
• monitor and evaluate projects
• find funding, manage resources and budgets
• put local and national policies into practice
• attend meetings, seminars and conferences
• coach or supervise sports activities

Location : You could work in an office, at a school, on a sports field, at a fitness centre or at a college.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £30,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

36 - 38 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

Career Path:

With experience you could become a sports development manager or a regional manager.

You may be able to move into policy development or work as a consultant on a freelance basis.