Sports coach/instructor
Sports coaches help people participating in sports to work towards achieving their full potential. They may support professional sportspeople, sports teams, community teams or school groups, working with them closely to improve performance. They may also have a role in encouraging underrepresented groups or young people to participate in sporting activities.
Sports coaches bring out ability by identifying needs and planning and implementing suitable training programmes. Whatever the context, coaching involves developing the participants' physical and psychological fitness and providing the best possible practical conditions in order to maximise their chances of performing to the best of their ability. Coaches must be aware of their ethical and legal obligations to their clients.
Many instructors/coaches combine coaching with other, often full-time, jobs. Many sports coaches work part time and unpaid, offering their coaching services on a purely voluntary basis.
Coaching roles vary hugely according to context, but typical work activities are likely to include:
Performance management
Planning and administration
Relevant degree and HND/foundation degree subjects include:
While relevant academic qualifications may provide a useful background, you can only become a qualified coach by gaining the appropriate coaching qualification offered by the National Governing Body (NGB) of your chosen sport. (See the UK Sport website 'links' section for a list of NGBs.) The training process can start while you are in the sixth form or at college, as 16 is the minimum age to begin qualifying for roles such as assistant coach or leader. Courses vary in length and may be full time, part time or taken by distance learning. Practical coaching competency must be demonstrated.
Some higher education sports-related courses offer the opportunity to gain coaching qualifications in conjunction with the academic degree programme. Progress as a sports coach is impossible without these, even if you have a sports-related degree. Sport governing bodies have differing levels of qualifications corresponding to S/NVQ levels 1-4.
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Community coaching roles require the ability and enthusiasm to work with large groups of children. An enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check is required for this area of work.
Voluntary and part-time work are the main ways into coaching, and many coaches continue in this capacity alongside other employment. Getting involved with activities in your chosen sport at a regional level is advisable. Networking with sports development officers within local authorities can also be a productive way of gaining employment.
The number of vacancies and level of competition for jobs tend to be related to the popularity and participation rates for the sport. Some areas are particularly competitive, with progress dependent on reputation and results. Increasingly, there are opportunities for multi-skilled coaches with coaching certificates in several activities.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Sports Coach UK provides a programme of coaching essentials workshops on key aspects of the role for new and existing coaches, and has worked with sport governing bodies to develop the UK Coaching Framework. This has created nationally recognised standards within UK coaching. Many qualifications are already accredited against this standard.
Courses are available through a range of study modes, including distance learning and self-study. Many individuals undertake these in their own time and also meet the costs themselves. They include:
The coaching role is developing in profile and potential opportunities as a result of government recognition of the health and social benefits of sports at all levels. This has led to the development of the UK Coaching Certificate. The scheme is delivered at local level in conjunction with the relevant sports authorities and the aim is to increase the number of coaches in many settings.
Further training may take the form of gaining more advanced coaching qualifications, following the structure provided by the relevant sport's National Governing Body (NGB), or by developing expertise in a specific area, such as strength and conditioning. Time and funding available for taking further professional qualifications may be limited. The level 1 coaching award is sufficient for individuals to take up employment, but continuing to develop professional skills and knowledge is an important part of career progression and further certificates will enhance employability. Coaches need to keep up to date with a range of issues within the professional sports sector, including nutrition, scientific research and sports psychology.
Coaches employed by specific projects are generally encouraged to work up through the appropriate levels of qualification and may receive funding to do so. Work with children will require courses in child safeguarding and protection and first aid.
It takes time to develop coaching skills and a good reputation, so career progression can be slow and may be dependent on personal motivation. Geographical mobility is also helpful.
For coaches working with professional sportspeople, career progression often depends on results, which may be measured by a performer's achievements and progress, or by the level of the participants' enjoyment. Career development in this area is also dependent on effectively marketing your services and skills to potential clients. Even in this area, coaches tend to continue to diversify in the range of services they offer. This is supported by ongoing professional skills development through courses and workshops and by keeping up to date with new professional issues.
Senior coaching posts usually require completion of advanced coaching qualifications and are also more likely to need a degree. The number of posts at this level is limited and they are likely to be with sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs) or national teams.
A degree is also helpful for progression into sports development roles. Other areas of possible career development include coach education and volunteer management.
Different types of employer offer different kinds of coaching opportunities. The range of employers includes:
Coaches may also work one to one with professional sportspeople on a self-employed basis and will need good results to retain clients and maintain job security.
Holiday camps and organisations such as PGL recruit coaches to deliver a variety of activities, mainly in school holidays. You can also arrange to work abroad as a sports coach over the summer, particularly in the USA, through organisations such as BUNAC .
Some coaches find work within community schemes such as Football in the Community , in which coaches employed by professional football clubs train others to become involved in fund-raising events and sporting activities in primary schools. Coaching opportunities for women are growing in football, disability sport and activities to cover teacher non-contact time in schools, including out-of-school clubs developed as part of the government's extended schools programme.
SkillsActive - The Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being provides information on where to look for jobs with details of magazines, newspapers and recruitment agencies. See also the Sports Coach UK and UK Sport websites for lists of links to sporting bodies.
Whilst word of mouth is a key source of work for self-employed coaches, they may also advertise through their own websites or through directory-style websites such as Find Me A Coach . In some cases, for example in professional football, jobs may not be advertised, but suitable candidates will be approached directly. In many areas of coaching and instruction you need to be proactive in seeking opportunities, and networks must be maintained, perhaps through voluntary work, even during periods of unemployment.
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