Sports coach

As a sports coach, you could:

• plan fun, engaging and safe coaching activities and sessions
• give feedback on performance and how to improve skills and technique
• motivate and inspire your students to fulfil their potential
• offer advice on nutrition, lifestyle and preparation
• design advanced programmes for elite sportspersons
• support performers at events and competitions

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

You may need a first aid certificate for some jobs.

You can get into this job through:

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

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

You might also move into:

• sports development in the community
• sports psychology
• physical education teaching
• coaching people who have specific conditions or impairments