Sport & Leisure Careers
WHAT ARE SPORT & LEISURE CAREERS?
Leisure time may be synonymous with relaxation but behind every sporting event, holiday or leisure activity hides an entire industry dedicated to making it happen. From supporting athletes to compete on the world stage to coordinating local activities bringing communities together, this is a hugely varied sector with lots of careers to explore!
The sport & leisure industry is all about helping people make the most of their free time, get involved in sport and improve their health and fitness. Professionals in these fields keep up to date with changing market trends and academic research in careers spanning across various sectors from sports science and psychology to hospitality and events management. As society increasingly values health and wellbeing, this is an expanding area with new opportunities constantly emerging.
WHY SHOULD I BE INTERESTED?
Careers in this sector offer a unique opportunity to combine your own love for sports and leading an active lifestyle with the fulfilment of enhancing people’s well being and enjoyment. At the same time, with many roles centred on leadership and motivating others there’s huge scope for personal and professional development.
From promoting inclusion in sports to providing entertainment and relaxation opportunities, these careers can positively impact the lives of individuals in helping them achieve their goals while also contributing meaningfully to the development of a healthier society. What’s more, working within the industry can mean the occasional sporting event or travel perk!
KEY FACTS AND FIGURES
KEY TRENDS
With women’s sports revenues expected to grow by more than 15% in the next 3 years, opportunities are growing in this space
EMPLOYERS
Some of the largest UK employers include health clubs, hotels and UK Sport
SKILLS
Adaptability and creativity in approach are vital skills in a sector which reacts to key market trends
SALARY
Salaries vary with a sector average of around £32,500
WHAT TYPES OF PEOPLE ARE SUITED TO SPORT & LEISURE ROLES?
Professionals working in this sector may well be united by their passion for sports or travel but there are a wide range of roles available to suit different individual’s strengths. Those with strong communication and interpersonal skills thrive in fitness instruction, event management and tourism where they can engage and motivate others. Meanwhile those with analytical and problem solvings abilities can find fulfilling careers in sports science or research.
In a sector heavily influenced by market trends, adaptability is essential and employers often value those who have developed real world experience through volunteering in their local community. In general, if you’re motivated by the opportunity to promote health wellbeing while providing people with unforgettable experiences, you’ll find plenty of opportunities within these careers.
WHAT KIND OF ROLES ARE OUT THERE?
Events Manager
21k – 40k
Starter – Experienced
37 – 39
Average hours per week
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays
What’s the role?
Event managers organise and run conferences, exhibitions, promotions and business and social events.
Where should I start?
Event Managers need great communication and organisational skills to run engaging, successful events. There are lots of different routes into this career
To get started and build your skills and knowledge, you could complete a college course. Particularly relevant courses include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Event Planning
- Level 3 Certificate in Event Management
- Level 3 Diploma in Live Events and Promotion
Find course providers here
A degree is not essential but this could give you an advantage and help you to enter at a higher level. Particularly relevant subjects include:
- events management
- marketing
- hospitality management
- leisure and tourism
Search courses here
Alternatively, if you’d like to gain some practical experience while you learn, you could complete an events assistant or hospitality management higher apprenticeship.
Find apprenticeships near to you here
Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here
Volunteering can also be a great way into the industry. Volunteering as a crew member at large events or exhibitions can not only help you gain experience which employers will value but will also help you to start building relevant contacts.
Events organisations often publish volunteering opportunities on their social media or you could get started with further ideas here.
Heritage Officer
18k – 48k
Starter – Experienced
37 – 40
Average hours per week
Between 8am and 6pm attending events or appointments
What’s the role?
Heritage officers support teams to take care of buildings, monuments and places valued for their cultural and historical importance.
Where should I start?
Heritage Officers draw on their historical and conservation knowledge in addition to their aptitude for business to successfully preserve and manage heritage sites. There are a number of ways to start building these skills
You could get started by completing a degree. There are lots of subjects which can be useful for a career in heritage depending on what area you would like to specialise in. These could include:
- history
- geography
- cultural heritage studies
- archaeology
- earth or natural sciences
Search courses here
Alternatively, if you’d like to gain some practical experience while you learn, you could complete
a historic environment advice assistant higher apprenticeship or an archivist and records manager degree apprenticeship.
Find apprenticeships near to you here
Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here
Employers in the heritage sector particularly value those with work or volunteer experience with historic buildings or sites. These organisations can offer relevant opportunities:
Or get started with wider volunteering opportunities here.
Lifeguard
15k – 22k
Starter – Experienced
37 – 40
Average hours per week
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays on a rota
What’s the role?
Lifeguards look after swimming areas, help swimmers to stay safe and carry out rescues in emergencies.
Where should I start?
Lifeguards need to be physically fit and well trained to help keep swimmers safe. There are several different routes into gaining the skills you’ll need
To work as a pool lifeguard, you’ll need one of the following qualifications:
or to become a beach lifeguard you will need to complete the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification.
You can complete these qualifications by:
- working as a pool assistant and gaining qualifications on the job
- joining a local club as a volunteer and training with them
- training with a professional body
Alternatively, you could consider completing a leisure team member intermediate apprenticeship. This will help you gain a broad set of skills which can help you develop further into the leisure industry.
Find apprenticeships near to you here
Outdoor Activities Instructor
16k – 30k
Starter – Experienced
36 – 38
Average hours per week
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays as customers demand
What’s the role?
Outdoor activities instructors lead trips and teach skills in activities like hill walking, climbing, canoeing, skiing and snowboarding.
Where should I start?
As well as a keen interest and skill in outdoor sports, Outdoor Activities Instructors need patience and the ability to stay calm in stressful situations!
There is no set route into this career but it can be useful to have have relevant qualifications
You could get started by completing a college course. A Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Skills and Activities for Sport and Active Leisure (Outdoor Education) would be particularly relevant and could help you to apply for trainee positions at activity centres.
Find course providers here
Alternatively, if you’d like to start earning while you learn you could complete an advanced apprenticeship as an outdoor activity instructor or an outdoor learning specialist higher apprenticeship.
Find apprenticeships near to you here
Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here
Employers in this sector particularly value those with relevant work or volunteer experience. You could gain this by:
- Completing a Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Becoming a member of activity clubs
- Volunteering at outdoor activities centres
Get started with wider volunteering opportunities here.
If you are a member of a sports or activity club, it can also be possible to gain a relevant instructor qualification.
Check with the relevant national governing body for your sport for details of courses and qualifications.
Performance Sports Scientist
20k – 60k
Starter – Experienced
37 – 39
Average hours per week
Evenings and weekends attending events and appointments
What’s the role?
Sports scientists use knowledge of how the body works to help people improve their health or sporting ability.
Where should I start?
Performance sports scientists need both a strong scientific background and a thorough understanding of the demands of sports to effectively support athletes.
To get started, most employers will look for you to have a degree in a relevant scientific discipline such as biomechanics, physiology or psychology.
Alternatively, you could complete a degree in a broader science related subject followed by a postgraduate qualification in sports science.
Search degree courses here and get started with postgraduate qualifications here
To gain specific sports scientist qualifications, you could join the British Association of Sport and Exercises Sciences (BASES) and work towards accreditation. You could also apply for Chartered Scientist status.
Work experience or volunteering as a fitness instructor, lifeguard or coach can also boost your chances of breaking into this career.
You could look into volunteering opportunities with local sports clubs or get started with wider volunteering opportunities here.
Personal Trainer
14k – 22k
Starter – Experienced
32 – 34
Average hours per week
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays as customers demand
What’s the role?
Personal trainers work with clients to improve their health and fitness.
Where should I start?
Personal Trainers not only need a deep understanding of health and fitness but great people skills to create tailored programmes and motivate clients to achieve their goals.
Although there isn’t a set path into this career, gaining some qualifications is a great way to build the knowledge you’ll need. To get started, you could complete a college course in a relevant subject such as:
- Level 2 Diploma in Instructing Exercise and Fitness
- Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing
- Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training
Find course providers here
Alternatively if you’d like to gain some practical experience while you learn, you could consider completing a Personal Trainer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
Find apprenticeships near to you here
Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here
If you have previous experience as a fitness coach or gym instructor, you may also be able to apply directly for roles or set up your own business.
Sports and Exercise Psychologist
20k – 48k
Starter – Experienced
37 – 39
Average hours per week
Evenings and weekends attending events and appointments
What’s the role?
Sport and exercise psychologists work with athletes, teams and coaches to improve their motivation and performance.
Where should I start?
Sports and exercise psychologists draw on their psychological skills and knowledge as well as their understanding of the demands of elite sport to support athletes to perform at their best.
To get started in this career, you’ll need to:
- Complete a degree accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Gain Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership
- Complete a BPS accredited master’s degree in sport and exercise psychology
Alternatively, if you complete a degree in a subject other than psychology, it may be possible to do an approved psychology conversion course.
Work experience or volunteering either in a sports/fitness or in a healthcare setting can also boost your chances of breaking into this career.
You could look into volunteering opportunities with local sports clubs and healthcare institutions or get started with wider volunteering opportunities here.
To practise as a Sports and Exercise Psychologist, you will need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Sports Development Officer
18k – 30k
Starter – Experienced
36 – 38
Average hours per week
Evenings and weekends attending events and appointments
What’s the role?
Sports development officers organise projects and training to encourage people to take part in sport and have a healthier lifestyle.
Where should I start?
Sports development officers need a keen interest in a range of sports and great people skills to help all sections of the local community get involved in sporting opportunities.
To get started building your knowledge and find out if this is the career for you, you could complete a college course. This could help you apply for trainee positions.
Relevant courses could include:
- Level 2 Qualification in Community Sports Leadership
- Level 3 Certificate in Sports Development
Find course providers here
To take this further and help you enter at a higher level, you could complete a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject such as:
- sports development or management
- sports coaching
- sports science
- leisure studies
Search courses here
Alternatively, you could work towards this role by completing an advanced apprenticeship as a community sport and health officer. This will combine study with workplace experience.
Find apprenticeships near to you here
Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here
Work or volunteering experience is particularly important as not only will most employers expect this but it can help you to build a network of contacts.
Relevant experience could be through playing sports, volunteering as a coach, helping out on community and holiday sports schemes, or working with a local sports club.
Many opportunities will be available through local sports clubs or you could get started with wider volunteering opportunities here.
Sports Journalist
14k – 50k
Starter – Experienced
37 – 39
Average hours per week
Evenings and weekends as required
What’s the role?
Sports journalists write, produce content and report on news and feature stories focussing on different sports and sporting events.
Where should I start?
Sports journalism can cover a wide range of career paths from managing the social media for a sports club, providing live events TV and radio coverage or writing online articles. Depending on what you’d like to specialise in, there are lots of routes into this career
To get started, you could consider completing a degree. Although there are no fixed subjects particularly relevant courses could include:
- journalism
- sports business and broadcasting
- sport science
- english
- creative writing
Search courses here
Alternatively, you could look to develop a broad base of journalism skills through an apprenticeship. Once you’ve completed this you could then specialise into sports reporting. Relevant options include a Level 5 Journalist or a Level 7 Senior Journalist apprenticeship.
These are often offered directly by large broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV, or Channel 4.
Or you can find apprenticeships near to you here and search advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here
Work or volunteering experience in sports setting can also help demonstrate your sports knowledge and boost your chances of breaking into this career.
You could search for opportunities with local sports clubs or could get started with wider volunteering opportunities here.
Holiday Tour Manager
16k – 30k
Starter – Experienced
28 – 30
Average hours per week (seasonal)
On call as customers demand
What’s the role?
Tour managers manage the travel arrangements of holidaymakers and business clients to make sure their trips run smoothly.
Where should I start?
Tour managers combine their love of travel with strong organisational skills to make sure travel arrangements run as smoothly as possible and provide holidaymakers with unforgettable experiences.
To get started building the knowledge you’ll need for this career, you could consider a college course. Relevant subjects could include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Travel and Tourism
- Level 4 Diploma in Tourism Management
Find course providers here
A degree isn’t essential for this career but it could help to boost your chances if you have a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a relevant subject such as:
- tourism and travel management
- events management
- hospitality
Search courses here
If you’d like to gain some practical experience while you learn, an alternative route into this career could be through a travel consultant advanced apprenticeship.
Find apprenticeships near to you here
Or get started with advanced, higher and degree apprenticeship opportunities here
If you have some relevant work or volunteer experience in the tourism sector, it may also be possible to apply directly for some roles. Joining the Institute of Travel & Tourism can help you find industry training courses, news and networking opportunities.
