Careers in Sport
Considering a career in sport, but unsure exactly what you want to do?
When people talk about working in sport, the immediate thought is often about the ‘athlete’. However, there are so many stages in supporting and developing the athlete, without which, there quite simply wouldn’t be any sport for athletes to compete in.
Ever wondered why your local Leisure Centre is open seven days a week?
Or how your last district Athletics competition was run?
Or how your team’s star player recovered from injury?
The people behind the answers all have careers in sport - often without so much as putting their trainers on! These professional staff, though, are supported by an army of volunteers, who give their time purely for their love of sport whilst also gaining skills and experience which might one day help them launch their own career in sport.
General Careers advice Sport and Leisure Industry
Below is a list of websites offering advice and guidance to anyone looking to get a career in the sport and leisure industry.
Information for students and graduates looking for employment
Skills Active explore sports careers
Connexions useful careers info
Directgov Education and Learning
University of Kent working in Sport
Directgov Education and Learning
Skills Active Careers in Sport
Practical experience and qualifications
Given the fierce competition for careers in the sport and leisure industry many employers look not only at formal qualification (e.g. GCSE PE etc) but also at what practical experience people have. This could be leadership and volunteering, coaching, officiating or even designing a club website. This experience can often lead to qualifications and potentially open doors into careers/jobs. Please see the links below to find out more about these opportunities.
Academic courses related to coaching
Step into Sport (School/college based sports volunteering)
Further Education Colleges offering sport and leisure and related qualifications
If you are over 16 and thinking about a career in sport and leisure or looking to eventually go to university to study a course in sport or leisure you will need to school or college to study sport/leisure. Below is a list of colleges in Kent offering full time courses in sport and leisure .
K College (Formerly South Kent College)
Higher Education
If you are thinking about going to college or university to study a course in sport or leisure you will need to apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service). Please see the link below to start searching for courses
Universities in Kent
There are three Universities in Kent, these are all listed below. All three offer courses related to sport and leisure as well as teacher training courses.
Canterbury Christ Church University
CCUC Centre for Physical Education Research
University of Greenwich at Medway
Current Opportunities
Current opportunities are also advertised on the KentSport website, please see link below. These are not necessarily job with KentSport, but from sport and leisure providers in or around the county.
