Career Suggestion

Sports coach

Sports coaches teach sports skills to individuals and teams of all abilities.

Average salary (a year)

£19000.0 to £28000.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

Variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • volunteering

University

You can take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • sports coaching and development
  • sports and exercise science
  • sports studies
  • physical education

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You can do a college course as a way into this career, for example:

  • sport
  • sports coaching and development
  • coaching sports and fitness

You may be able to do a coaching qualification that's specific to your chosen sport.

Sports include:

  • tennis and cricket
  • netball and basketball
  • hockey
  • martial arts

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship to begin your career in coaching.

These include:

  • Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Personal Trainer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Community Sport and Health Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Sports Coach Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take up to 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

If you're working in sport already, for example in a leisure centre, as a sports teacher or with a sports club, you can take a professional coaching qualification recognised by the national governing body for your sport.

Volunteering

You could get experience as an assistant sports coach by volunteering for a few hours a week with a club or amateur team. This is a common way to start a coaching career.

More Information

Career Tips

Coaching pay can vary, as many jobs are part-time or paid by the session.

Further Information

You can find out more about coaching from UK Coaching.

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • the ability to teach pupils how to do something
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You may need a first aid certificate for some jobs.

Day-to-day tasks

As a sports coach, you could:

  • plan fun, engaging and safe coaching activities and sessions
  • give feedback on performance and how to improve skills and technique
  • motivate and inspire your students to fulfil their potential
  • offer advice on nutrition, lifestyle and preparation
  • design advanced programmes for elite sportspersons
  • support performers at events and competitions

Working environment

You could work at a fitness centre, on a sports field, at a university, at a school or at a college.

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

With experience, you could become a coach development officer, helping other coaches improve their skills and gain qualifications.

You might also move into:

  • sports development in the community
  • sports psychology
  • physical education teaching
  • coaching people who have specific conditions or impairments

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