Sports professional

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• amateur sport where you could be spotted by a talent scout
• a sponsorship or scholarship scheme

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

The Sporting Excellence Professional, advanced apprenticeship is available in the following sports:

• cricket
• football
• rugby league
• rugby union

The apprenticeship gives talented amateur sports players the chance to develop their sporting talent alongside their education.

Once you've completed your apprenticeship, you may turn professional or continue as an amateur while you get more experience.

You can find out more from the professional body for each sport.

Entry requirements:

OtherRoutes

The route to becoming a professional varies from sport to sport.

Typically you'll start by joining a club, academy or amateur organisation where you can train and get coaching.

Most sports professionals are spotted early on by talent scouts at this stage.

In some sports you may be able to get financial help to develop your sporting talent as well as to continue your general education.

You can find out more about different schemes through Sport England .

Your chosen sport's National Governing Body (NGB) is the best place to get more information on the way to get ahead in your sport.

Required Skills:

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

Skills:

• persistence and determination
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• physical fitness and endurance
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• leadership skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• concentration skills
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of human resources and employment law
• business management skills
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• active listening skills
• knowledge of English language
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues

What you'll do:

Sports professionals are skilled and talented sports performers, who are paid to compete in their chosen sport.

You'll:

• compete in matches and competitions
• keep up and improve your skills with regular practice
• maintain your general fitness and stamina by training
• make sure your diet and lifestyle help you to achieve peak performance
• take advice from coaches, nutritionists, exercise professionals, sports psychologists and doctors

Location : You could work on a sports field or at a fitness centre.
Environment : Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding, outdoors in all weathers, you'll travel often and you may spend nights away from home.

Salary:

Starter : variable
Experienced : variable

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

44 - 46 hours variable

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

Career Path:

In the more physical and contact sports, your career would usually be short. Many professionals finish their sporting career by the age of 35.

After your career ends, you could stay involved in sport by moving into areas like:

• coaching
• refereeing
• team management
• sports journalism and broadcasting
• sports centre work