Sports Coach

Sports coaches work with people taking part in sport and exercise. At any level, coaches help people learn the skills they need to participate safely and to the best of their ability, advising them where and how to improve further, and motivating them to achieve their goals. Some coaches work in exercise and fitness, others in team sports or with individual competitors.

Coaches working with top-level competitors have to ensure that they are in peak condition for their competition, often working with others such as nutritionists and physiotherapists. They may use video and computerised technology to analyse strengths and weaknesses. They may also look after administration, transport and accommodation. In amateur sport or exercise, coaches usually have people of different abilities in a group. They make sure everyone can participate and improve.

Some coaches become personal trainers, giving detailed information to individual clients on exercise, nutrition and lifestyle.

Entry level
All coaches must have a recognised qualification in coaching, which can normally be obtained either through a university or college course or through part-time study with the national governing body for a particular sport.

National governing body qualifications usually require no academic qualifications, except for golf. Trainee golf coaches must have four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) demonstrating literacy and numeracy.

For a degree in coaching, sports science, sports studies, movement studies and physical education, the minimum entry requirements are normally two A levels/three H grades and five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), sometimes including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications. Universities are currently developing foundation degrees. Other qualifications, such as the BTEC/SQA HNC/HND in Leisure Studies, have a sports coaching option.

Coaches in professional sport are often ex-professional sportspeople who have gained coaching qualifications. Others have helped out with children's sports clubs. Teachers can attend workshops as part of the Coaching for Teachers programme run by sports coach UK with local education authorities.

Making the grade
Sports coach UK offers personal development courses for coaches from all sports and at every level of experience, to help develop their knowledge and skills. These include: Coaching Essentials Workshops, at Level 2 coaching standards, covering generic coaching as well as specific courses on coaching children and people with disabilities, and Coach XL, for experienced, high-performance coaches. These courses provide underpinning knowledge for NVQs/SVQs in coaching.

A new National Coaching Certificate is being developed, along with national occupational standards for coaching, teaching and instructing at Levels 3 and 4.
NVQs/SVQs are available in Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations, with a generic Level 1 award. Coaching, Teaching and Instructing at Levels 2 and 3 are awarded in the context of a specific sport/activity and age group, in a growing number of sports/activities.

Personal qualities
As a sports coach, you would need a good level of physical fitness, detailed knowledge of and enthusiasm for your particular sport, and excellent communication and listening skills.

You would have to be a good motivator, skilled at analysing problems, with an awareness of nutrition and how the body works.

Looking ahead
Full-time coaching jobs are scarce, and competition is fierce. Of an estimated half a million sports coaches in the UK, 80% are volunteers. Some coaches operate on a part- time basis. Many are self-employed, working for several clubs or teams.

Potential employers include local authorities, private schools, professional sports clubs, sports councils and national governing bodies, sports centres and health clubs, and the armed forces.

Alternative suggestions
You might also consider training as a chiropractor, leisure services manager, osteopath, PE teacher, physiotherapist or professional sportsperson.

Take-home pay
Newly-qualified coaches working for local authorities earn around £13,000 to £15,000. Senior coaches working for a governing body or professional club can earn £35,000 plus. In professional sport, they may also receive bonuses, depending on the prize money their competitors win.

Part-time rates would depend on how many people are being coached and at what level. Hourly rates range widely, from around £7 to £25.

Effects
Coaches usually work evenings and weekends, and early morning sessions are common. Some coaching takes place during the day, for instance in football clubs or schools. In some sports, the work is seasonal. Coaches also spend time helping their athlete prepare before competitions, and preparing training programmes.

Coaching at all levels can involve considerable travel. At the highest level, this can be international.

Sources of information
Central Council of Physical Recreation: www.ccpr.org.uk
SkillsActive: www.skillsactive.com
Sports Coach UK: www.sportscoachuk.org
Sports Leaders UK: www.bst.org.uk
Register of Exercise Professionals: www.exerciseregister.org
Sport England: www.sportengland.org
Sport Scotland: www.sportscotland.org.uk
Sports Council for Northern Ireland: www.sportni.net
Sports Council for Wales: www.sports-council-wales.co.uk

CRCI: MB