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