Careers in Sport
In the build up to the 2012 Olympics, it’s an exciting time to be involved in sport.
As people are recognising the need for a healthier lifestyle and Government are investing more and more in sport, it is a great time to develop a career in sport.
There are many ways to be involved in sport as a career, including:
Sports practitioner - Sports coach, Sports person, Fitness instructor, Personal trainer
Sports management - Sports agent, Sports administrator
Sports promotion - Sports development, Sports marketing and PR, Sports sponsorship
Sports reporting - Sports journalist, Sports commentator
Sports science - Sports therapy, Sports psychology
Sports equipment manufacture and retailing
For more information on entering a career in sport visit the Skills Active website or Prospects website.
Becoming a coach
No matter what your background or interest in sport there are several ways to get into coaching.
Step 1: Can you assist a more experienced coach in a club or school environment?
This will give you a flavour for what coaching actually involves and whether you have the desire to commit to the journey of becoming a high-quality coach.
Step 2: Book yourself onto a coaching course.
Most courses can be booked directly through a national governing body or through a local delivery agent. These are most commonly delivered at universities or sport-specific delivery centres.
Please click here for all courses.
Step 3: Join a team or club.
The best way to develop your skills is to train on the job. Working in a club gives you access to other coaches from whom you can learn as well as sharing ideas and developing practice.
Step 4: Find a mentor.
Mentoring is a great way to give direction to your development. A good mentor will not only act as a sounding board for ideas and questions on coaching, but can help you reflect on your coaching practice and philosophy.
Remember whilst an experienced coach mentor from your own sport may be able to assist you with your technical and tactical development, you may find that someone from another sport can challenge you in terms of your knowledge and your career pathway giving you an opportunity to think outside of the box.
Step 5: Plan your Continued Professional Development (CPD).
This is key to improving your technical, tactical and overall knowledge. Generally this means any formal or informal training opportunity. This may involve a sport-specific opportunity like a coaching conference, observing a more experienced coach in practice or attending a workshop.
Developing Coaches.
Coach development is basically the process coaches go through in order to develop.
Connexions Direct
Advice and guidance for those aged between 13 - 19 year old.
For more information please visit www.connexions-direct.com