Sports Coach
Job Description:Sports coaches teach sports skills to individuals and teams of all abilities.
Job Category:What you will do:
If you’re working with schools and community groups, you’ll:
- plan fun, engaging coaching activities, sessions and programmes in a safe environment
- give feedback on performance and help to improve technique
- work with young people, schools, community groups and sports organisations to promote the sport
If you’re working with young people involved in competitive sport, you’ll:
- design basic training programmes
work on developing more advanced techniques and tactics - support performers at events and competitions
If coaching at national or international level you’ll:
- design challenging and varied training programmes
- monitor the physical condition and mental attitude of the people you coach
- work with experts in sport like sports scientists, nutritionists, physiotherapists and programme managers
- mentor other coaches
Skills:
You’ll need:
- knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
As well as:
- leadership skills
- the ability to teach pupils how to do something
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to use your initiative
Restrictions and Requirements
You’ll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
- You’ll usually need some knowledge of first aid.
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
College
You can do a general sports or coaching qualification, for example in the UK you could complete a:
- Diploma in Sport
- Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching
You may be able to do a Diploma in Coaching qualification for your particular chosen sport.
Examples of sports offered include:
- tennis
- cricket
- riding
- netball
- basketball
- judo
If you are already working in a sports related field, your employer may encourage you to take a work based qualification such as:
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Sports Development
Apprenticeship
In the UK, the following intermediate, advanced and higher apprenticeships are relevant to this role:
- Level 2 Community activator coach
- Level 3 Personal trainer
- Level 3 Community sport and health officer
- Level 4 Sports coach
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.
Career tips
Coaching awards are often more important than academic qualifications. For professional coaching, some employers will expect you to have a relevant academic qualification
Working Hours and Environment:
You would typically work 36-38 hours a week but this could vary. You could also work evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays, and sometimes away from home.
You could work at a university, on a sports field, at a fitness centre, at a school or at a college.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
Career Path & Progression:
With qualifications and experience, you could become a coach development officer, helping other coaches develop their skills and qualifications.