Sports professional jobs

Type of Job

If you want to be a sports professional, you will need to be a skilled and talented athlete who has the skills to be paid to compete in their chosen sport.

What is the job about?

Sports professionals are the most talented performers in their chosen sport. Professional sports in the UK include:

Individual sports - athletics, boxing, tennis, snooker, cycling, golf, horse racing and other equestrian sports.

Team sports - football, cricket, basketball, rugby, hockey and ice hockey.

Sports professionals not only compete in matches and competitions, they also have to practice regularly, work to maintain their fitness, ensure that their diet and lifestyle are supporting their performance, and consult and take advice from nutritionists, coaches, sports psychologists and even doctors.

Key Skills & Knowledge needed

All sports professionals are exceptionally talented in their particular sport. However, that is not enough. You also will need to be:

• Committed, self-disciplined and dedicated
• Have excellent physical fitness and stamina
• Possess a highly competitive nature
• Be strong psychologically
• Take advice from coaches and other specialists

Qualifications and experience needed

Ultimately, sports professionals are judged by their skill at their chosen sport. However, to improve your skills it is a good idea to join a club or amateur organisation so that you can get instruction and training.

Most sports professionals start at a young age, and are often 'spotted' early by a talent scout.

It is advisable to continue other training or education in a subject or area different from your sport, so that you can supplement your income from sport with another job if needed.

What other training and development could I do?

Many sports professionals also obtain coaching qualifications in their chosen sport to allow them to pass on their knowledge once their playing career is over.

You could also work towards the NVQ Level 3 in Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance which allows you to show your practical sporting ability, as well as learning about areas such as working in a team, managing yourself, health & safety and careers and employment.

Salary and benefit expectations

Although professional sport salaries can be high, not many people make a full-time living from their sport. Thus many people have a full- or part-time job to supplement their income, for example coaching or instructing their sport.

Where else can I go for more information?

Sport England
www.sportengland.org

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS)
City Sports Centre
off Northumberland Road
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
Tel: 0191 243 7356
www.tass.gov.uk

Professional Golfers Association (PGA)
www.pga.info

SkillsActive
Castlewood House
77-91 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX
Advice line: 08000 933300
www.skillsactive.com