Working in sport

If you want to work in sport, it is worth taking the time to look at the sector and understand who does what, where and when.

You will need to consider the organisations and roles that currently exist (and may exist in the future) match them to your values, motivation and skill set and finally put a plan in place to realise your ambition.

The examples that follow illustrate the diversity of jobs undertaken in a variety of settings, from the football club, to work in the community and within the media.

Return to A to Z jobs list

Your next steps

Book a careers appointment

Read our blog: How to turn your interest in sport into valuable career skills

Spotlight On: Sports and Exercise Science

We invited four professionals to talk to you about their roles in sports and exercise science:

Theo Bampouras, Researcher, Senior Lecturer, Coach and BASES Committee Member
Joe Agu, Director of Nutrition Coaching
Joe Payne, Sales Specialist within the NHS and private sector
James Darling, Strength and Conditioning Coach

Alumni: Email us to gain access to the webinar

Working at a football club

Examples of roles at a football club
Media	Community	Science	Corporate Services
events manager sponsorship product licensing mobile and content broadcasting	community partnership officer youth engagement tour guide supporters clubs disability officer safety	coach strength and conditioning nutritionist sports scientist performance analyst sport therapist physiotherapy doctor psychologist	finance marketing legal human resources facilities management

Sport England

Outside of professional or elite sport there are plenty of organisations and roles connected to sport. For example, if we look at the reach of Sport England you can see how sport works on many levels from increasing sport participation amongst the public, improving health and wellbeing and supporting elite talent. Examples of jobs are listed under the descriptors below.

Physical wellbeing

From helping to prevent and manage medical conditions to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, the benefits of sport and activity on a person's physical wellbeing are profound.

health mentor
psychological wellbeing practitioner
health and wellbeing coach
public health consultant
health and wellbeing advisor

Individual development

Evidence clearly shows that being active improves educational behaviour and attainment, through greater self-esteem, confidence and direct cognitive benefits.

disability sports participation officer
student engagement coordinator
club participation officer
community sport officer

Mental wellbeing

Physical activity can reduce stress and anxiety, with the mastering of new skills often increasing confidence and self-esteem.

fitness and wellbeing advisor
activity professional
occupational health worker
psychological wellbeing practitioner

Social and community development

Promoting social trust, reducing isolation, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together, volunteering and social engagement, helping communities to integrate.

rugby league development officer
Sky Blues into the community - coach (Coventry City)
leisure and wellness co-ordinator
community activator
community project officer (Scottish FA)
sports project co-ordinator
community sports officer

Economic development

sport tourism
sports policy, programme and projects officer
sports development officer
health educator - diabetes
public health improvement officer

Sport media

There are a variety of roles, diverse businesses and organisations that operate in the sports media space. The job examples below are not comprehensive, but an illustration of what is currently operating in this space.