Case studies: Community sports development manager: Stuart

Stuart graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc in Sports Science. He currently works as a sports development manager at a large city council.

I have been in post as sports development manager for just over a year and prior to my promotion I was a sports development officer with the same organisation. I started my career as an assistant sports development officer in Birmingham, after completing a degree in sports science. My sporting interest lies primarily in athletics, although I am now knowledgeable and interested in a much wider range of sporting activities.

My role involves managing a range of activity programmes across the city, often working with a wide range of partner organisations and volunteers. This involves overseeing everything from the initial strategic planning down to the actual detail of the activities and the evaluation of the events impact.

The activities are very broad, ranging from one-off events to long-term projects. For example, we have just successfully delivered a climbing and abseiling event for young men at risk of social exclusion. We are now hoping to gain funding to extend this project. We are also working very actively to incorporate the opportunities that the 2012 Olympics provides for community-based sporting activities, including an increase in funding available for areas such as youth sport.

My job is enormously enjoyable but now that I am a sports development manager I am somewhat removed form the daily involvement in sport that I so loved. I am now based in the office more and have a wide range of responsibilities to help ensure the successful delivery of our strategic plan to increase participation in sporting activities across the city's population.

Particular skills required of this role include excellent managerial, interpersonal and communication skills. Good organisational skills are also essential as is the ability to motivate yourself and others. It helps to be able to work well in a team but also independently.

The post required me to have experience of managing sports-related projects as well as evidence of having previously managed staff and volunteers. The post required an enhanced CRB check. My advice to any graduate interested in this career path is to gain as much experience as they possibly can in sport and sports coaching, particularly in relation to community and youth sport. Also think carefully about your motivation, it is not enough just to love sport. You also have to be interested in managing projects and in widening access and opportunity to sport for all.