How to become a Sports Coach

What is a sports coach?

Schools, sports coaching companies, school sport providers, holiday camps, sports clubs, activity clubs, cruise and holiday companies, local communities and a wide variety of organisations employ sports coaches to plan and provide sports coaching to their members in their sessions. Some Sports Coaches coach specific specialist sports whilst others coach a variety of sports to children and adults in a wide variety of settings, from grass roots to the elite.

What qualifications do I need to become a sports coach?

The qualification requirements vary according to the needs of each position but some sports coaching qualifications are vital whether they are non-specific or in a particular sport. A level 2 Sports Coaching qualification from a National Governing Body (NGB) or UKCC is regularly required as a minimum. Sports Coaches with Level 3 are particularly sought after as are Sports Coaches with a number of Sports Coaching qualifications and Sports to offer.

More information regarding Sports Coaching training and qualifications including UKCC (a United Kingdom Coaching Certificate) are available via Sports Coach UK.

In addition, a DBS check will normally be required to work with children and a up to date First Aid certificate is an added bonus for any potential candidate.

What skills/experience will an employer look for?

Sports coaches always need to be confident and able to display excellent leadership skills within a team environment. As well as experience of working in sports or with children, a proven history of being able to build relationships with a variety of people and engage them in working towards a collective goal is important. Sports coaches also need to be organised, able to plan effectively and make their sessions fun for all concerned.

Who might employ a sports coach?

-Schools – Primary and Secondary – Independent, State, Free Schools and Academies

-School Sports providers – Primary and Secondary

-After School Clubs and Half Term and Holiday Activity Clubs and Camps

-Sports Clubs

-Leisure Centres

-Health and fitness centres

-Local communities

-US Summer camps

-Holiday Companies and Resorts UK and Worldwide

-Cruise Companies

What salary can I expect?

A sports coach’s salary will vary depending on the exact job specification. Quite often they will be paid an hourly or daily rate, which might be around £75-£100 per day.

What is my career progression?

Someone in a sports coach role can choose to specialise in a particular area of coaching or use the experience as a stepping stone towards a management role. In particular the skills gained from building relationships and adapting to the needs of a range of different people are useful for someone seeking out a sports development role in the future.

What are the best things about being a sports coach?

Working as a Sports Coach in your specialist sport can bring huge rewards from introducing your sport to new people, helping other to improve their performance or simply to improve the health, fitness and well being of the people you coach. A general coaching role could gives you the opportunity to sample a range of sports and activities which may inspire you in a particular direction later on. It allows you to meet people and work with children for their own benefit. You’ll also have a lot of fun and feel a real sense of achievement as a result of your efforts. There are also excellent opportunities to travel abroad and take part in national and international sporting events and sports tours etc.

Are there any drawbacks?

Depending on your employer ad contract working as a Sports Coach could require a lot of travel, particularly if you are coaching a various locations each week and also at weekends and evenings.

For examples of the types of jobs you could apply to as a Sports Coach please take a look our current Sports Coach Jobs and to hear about all the new Sports Coach jobs please up for jobs alerts indicating where you want to work and what type of Sports Coaching Job you’d be interested in.

More information:

For more information, advice and guidance about careers in PE, Sport, Training and Fitness and Activity Holiday Jobs, visit our careers advice centre; including job hunting tips, CV guide and much more.