Sports coach jobs
Type of Job
As a sports coach you will teach sports skills and techniques to individuals and teams of all abilities, to children and adults, to beginners to professionals.
What is the job about?
Sports coaches work with people to help them practice their particular sport safely and to their full potential.
Typically the work of a sports coach will involve:
- Planning and running training sessions
- Providing feedback on performance
- Monitoring the physical and mental condition of participants
- Developing effective teams
- Attending competitions and events with participants.
It's also possible to qualify as a Coach development officer (CDO) working with County Sports Partnerships to support coaches in developing their skills and qualifications.
Key Skills & Knowledge needed
First and foremost, sports coaches need enthusiasm, knowledge and skill in their chosen sport. They also need:
- Good communication skills
- The ability to inspire confidence and motivate performers
- Stamina
- Patience
- The ability to analyse and solve problems
Qualifications and experience needed
All sports have a national governing body (NGB) that offers coaching qualifications. You can get these qualifications in either directly through the NGBs or as part of a college or university course that includes coaching.
Most NGB qualifications are on four levels and can be completed as full-time courses, part-time, or by distance learning.
You will also need to show that you have practical coaching skills - this is typically done by volunteering at local clubs.
There are also college and university courses available in subjects such as coaching, sports science, sports studies, movement studies or physical education, foundation degrees in sports coaching, and a BTEC HNC/HND in Leisure Studies.
What other training and development could I do?
Once you have your basic coaching qualification, your NGB will offer more advanced qualifications. Some of these are accredited for the UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC), a framework of nationally recognised and transferable coaching qualifications.
You can also improve your skills by studying sports-related subjects such as sports psychology and nutrition.
Salary and benefit expectations
Most sports coaches are part-time or volunteers, but for those working full-time, salaries can range from ?12,000 to over ?20,000.
Part-time rates vary, but are usually in the region of ?10 to ?20 per hour.
Where else can I go for more information?
sports coach UK
www.sportscoachuk.org
Sports Leadership UK
www.bst.org.uk
SkillsActive
Castlewood House
77-91 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX
Advice line: 08000 933300
www.skillsactive.com
Sport England
www.sportengland.org
