Sports coach | Explore careers (2024)

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

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

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College

You can do a college course as a way into this career, for example:

  • sport
  • sports coaching and development
  • coaching sports and fitness

You may be able to do a coaching qualification that's specific to your chosen sport.

Sports include:

  • tennis and cricket
  • netball and basketball
  • hockey
  • martial arts

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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Apprenticeship

You can apply to do an apprenticeship to begin your career in coaching.

These include:

  • Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Personal Trainer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Community Sport and Health Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Sports Coach Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take up to 2 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

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Work

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.

Volunteering

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.

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Career tips

Coaching pay can vary, as many jobs are part-time or paid by the session.

Further information

You can find out more about coaching from UK Coaching.

Sports coach | Explore careers (2024)

FAQs

Is being a sports coach a good career? ›

Rankings. Sport Coaches rank #1 in Best Education Jobs. Jobs are ranked according to their ability to offer an elusive mix of factors. Read more about how we rank the best jobs.

What are some of the most important qualities that a sports coach should have? ›

A good coach is positive, enthusiastic, supportive, trusting, focused, goal-oriented, knowledgeable, observant, respectful, patient and a clear communicator. 1.

What is the most important objective for a sports coach? ›

The most important objective for a sports coach is to ensure winning competitions, followed by developing individual athletes.

What is the job outlook for a sports coach? ›

Job Outlook

Employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 38,400 openings for coaches and scouts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Can coaches make good money? ›

Based on Glassdoor data, the average national income of a life coach in the US is $61,003 per year. The most prominent life coaches make even $250,000 a year, based on salary itself. We need to take into account, though, that they also have supplementary income.

Why is being a coach a good job? ›

You'll see the positive results and positive impact you've made on people's lives. This will give you a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose in the work you do. Another advantage of a career in life coaching is that it offers a high degree of flexibility and autonomy.

What are weaknesses in coaches? ›

Coaches who fail to succeed lack this vision-sharing ability: they think about now, they dwell on yesterday and the future is only as far as the next game; Not spending enough time maximising their strengths: People in all fields of endeavour succeed on their strengths.

What is the most important thing in a coach? ›

Effective communication

One of the most necessary effective coaching skills is communication. A great coach has great communication skills. They've invested in building rapport with their coachees as part of their coaching approach. They've found a way to use effective communication as part of their coaching technique.

What are the three major objectives of coaching? ›

No single decision is more important in determining how you coach than your priority for the three objectives – 1) to have a winning team; 2) to help young people have fun; 3) to help young people develop. Many coaches face a dilemma about their objectives when they coach.

What is the motivation of sports coaching? ›

Motivation and Coaching: Understanding Motivation.

It is the strength and the character that allows athletes to overcome adversity, setbacks, disappointments, injuries and non-selections. It is the seemingly endless energy driving athletes to complete even the toughest, most challenging and most exhausting workouts.

What is a coach's responsibility? ›

A Coach, or Head Coach, guides and teaches athletes the skills they need for a specific sport. Their duties include skills coaching, helping to condition athletes and enforcing safety procedures.

What does a coach career do? ›

Career coaching is when a coach and an employee work one-on-one to help reach career goals and full potential. Career coaches help with career planning, career changes, career advice, and other career decisions. At BetterUp, we think of career coaching as a proactive approach to building your mental fitness.

What experience do you need to be a coach? ›

Professional Certified Coach (PCC): Requires at least 135 hours of training and 500 hours of coaching experience after training. Master Certified Coach (MCC): Requires at least 220 hours of training and 2500 hours of coaching hours after training.

What are the disadvantages of being a sports coach? ›

The constant need to recruit talented athletes while managing their team can be overwhelming and time-consuming. These challenges, long working hours, travel, and administrative responsibilities can affect coaches' mental health and overall well-being.

Can you make a living as a coach? ›

Coaching is now a multi-billion dollar industry. Even during a pandemic, coaching businesses thrived and generated more income than previous years. If you set your mind to it and learn some marketing skills, you too can thrive as a coach. Some people prefer doing this work part time and doing other things as well.

What sport pays coaches the most? ›

Seven of the 10 highest-paid coaches in U.S. sports, per Sportico, are in the NFL, where head coaches are viewed to have the most impact on wins and losses in pro sports' shortest season. The majority have decades of coaching experience, with only two coaches under 50 making the list.

Is being a sports coach stressful? ›

Coaching in today's sporting world brings unique and heavy challenges. There are relationships to manage: other coaches, players, support staff, administration, and parents. Within each of those relationships is added pressure as well. Running practice well is essential.

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