Sports Coach

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £35,000

Typical Hours

36 to 38 variable

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How To Become a Sports Coach

You can get into this job through:

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

College / 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

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

You can do a general sports qualification such as the following:

Level 2 Diploma in Sport
Level 3 Diploma in Coaching

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

Apprenticeship

The following apprenticeships may be relevant to this role:

Level 2 Community activator coach
Level 3 Personal trainer
Level 3 Community sport and health officer

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

Routes into this Career

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.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

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

Day To Day Tasks

If you're working with schools and community groups, you'll:

plan fun, engaging coaching activities, sessions and programmes in a safe environment
give feedback on performance and help to improve technique
work with young people, schools, community groups and sports organisations to promote the sport

If you're working with young people involved in competitive sport, you'll:

design basic training programmes
work on developing more advanced techniques and tactics
support performers at events and competitions

If coaching at national or international level you'll:

design challenging and varied training programmes
monitor the physical condition and mental attitude of the people you coach
work with experts in sport like sports scientists, nutritionists, physiotherapists and programme managers
mentor other coaches

Working Environment

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

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

Career Path & Progression

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

Volunteering Opportunities

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.

Tips & Information

Career tips

Coaching awards are often more important than academic qualifications. But for professional coaching, some employers will expect you to have a relevant academic qualification.

Further information

You can find out more about coaching and opportunities from UK Coaching.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults

You'll usually need some knowledge of first aid.