Professions in SportStep Up 2011Dr Deirdre Brennan
Presentation Objectives
• To outline career possibilities in the domain of Sport
Academic Qualifications
• BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Sciences with /without DIS/DAS
• BSc (Hons) Sports Studies with/without DIS/DAS
• BSc (Hons) Sports Technology
• Foundation degree in Sports Coaching
Professional Qualifications
• National Governing Body Coach Awards– Football coach– Basketball coach– Judo coach etc
• Fitness qualifications– Fitness instructor– Strength & Conditioning– Exercise to Music etc
Teacher of Physical Education
Teaching (Primary/Secondary/Third level)
A relevant degree andan initial teacher training course• Safe secure job! There will always be
schools and children needing education
• A vocation – not for the faint hearted
• An undervalued profession be highly rewarding
Sports Development Officer
Sports Development
• Degree (sport / management)• Sports Specific posts e.g. IFA / IRFU / GAA
Development Officers• Generic posts e.g. Local Authorities, District
Councils, City Councils• Purpose is to develop sport and athlete and
player performance pathways• This is a developing professional area in the
sports industry which has grown rapidly in the last 10 years
Community Sports Development Officers
Community Sports Development Officers
• Degree in sport / youth work /community development /community relations
• Generic posts with specific projects e.g. WISPA
• Purpose is to use sport to develop the community – women & girls, unemployed, over 50’s etc etc
• Very new but growing in importance due to Government agendas
Leisure facility Management
Leisure Facility Management
• Degree in Sport/Management/Business
• High percentage of leisure facilities in Belfast
• Some wet ,some dry
• Health Suites
• Bookings• Programmes• Facility maintenance• Facility development• Holiday programmes• Public facilities• Heath care referrals• After school clubs• Community sports clubs
Sports Event Management
Sports Event Management• Belfast Marathon• World Fencing
Championships• Special Olympics• World Boxing
Championships• World Rallying
Championships• Charity events
(Haiti)
• Private companies• Local Authorities• Manage facilities,
staff, budgets, volunteers
• Design and deliver training
• Income generation • Sponsorship etc
Fitness/Personal Trainer
Personal Trainer
• Professional qualifications very important
• Not enough to have a degree• Fitness Instructing, Strength and
Conditioning, Exercise to Music, Boxercise, Step, Spin (and whatever is next!)
Sports Journalism
Sports Journalism• Degree in Communication, English,
Sport, Journalism
• Ability to communicate really well (written and verbal)
• Papers
• TV
• Radio
Sports Retail & Marketing
Sports Retail & Marketing
• Nike• Adidas• Umbro• O Neills• Speedo• Kukri
• Sales rep
• Shop manager
• Brand agent
Sports Scientist
Sports Scientist
• Sports Science Degree
• Technological support
• Lab testing
• New profession
• Small numbers
• Work with Elite level athletes
Post Graduate Study
Any Questions?
Thank you