Sports Coach

Jul 2024

Career of the Month

Key Facts

Starter Salary

£20,900

Experienced Salary

£44,200

Working Hours

36-38 hours a week

Overview

Sports coaches work with people from absolute beginners through to top professionals; some people learning a sport do so for leisure, while others want to compete at various levels.

Coaches plan and run training sessions for individuals or groups. This can include teaching the basics of the sport to beginners or devising programmes for experienced people to develop fitness and work on their weaker areas. If coaching team sports, coaches train individuals to work as part of a team; if training individuals they need to provide motivational support as well as advise on technique.

Some coaches gain several qualifications which enables them to coach multi-skills sports. People who do this job are organised, able to inspire and motivate, and have good communication skills. They may sometimes need to work outside in all weather.

What it takes

What it takes:

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
knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to use your initiative
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Other requirements:

You'll usually need some knowledge of first aid.

Restrictions:

pass enhanced background checks

Day to day

Day to day:

If you're working with schools and community groups, the work may include:

planning fun, engaging coaching activities, sessions and programmes in a safe environment
giving feedback on performance and helping to improve technique
working with young people, schools, community groups and sports organisations to promote the sport

You could work at a university, on a sports field, at a fitness centre, at a school or at a college.If you're working in competitive sport, the work may include:

designing basic training programmes
working on developing more advanced techniques and tactics
supporting performers at events and competitions

If coaching at national or international level the work may include:

designing challenging and varied training programmes
monitoring the physical condition and mental attitude of the people you coach
working with experts in sport like sports scientists, nutritionists, physiotherapists and programme managers
mentoring other coaches

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

Requirements

You may need

An A Level (or equivalent) in P.E. / sports science

Academic and Vocational Notes

There are several different routes into this career. You can start coach training from the age of 16 while also studying at sixth form or college – courses can vary in length and distance learning courses are available.

You could gain a sports coach qualification by doing a full-time course at college or by studying a higher education course including a degree. When researching courses, always check specific entry requirements with individual providers; some higher education sports courses also offer coaching qualifications.

There are also apprenticeships for this career, some are aimed at specific sports but the majority are for multi-skills coaching; vacancies are advertised locally, with training providers and colleges, or through the Government's apprenticeships website.

In addition to a sports-related qualification you will need to have an appropriate coaching qualification from the National Governing Body for that particular sport.

You will need to pass an enhanced background check for this role if working with young people.

Work Based Training Notes

Continue to progress your skills and experience with further training such as the National Governing Body (NGB) coaching qualification awarded by your chosen area of sport; more details can be found on the UK Sport website.