What does a career in sport education, training and coaching look like?
If you’ve ever dreamt about coaching or educating the next generation, a career in sport education, training and coaching is a great choice for you. It’s a super rewarding career where you help people build knowledge and skills, improve their health, reach their goals and strengthen their physical performance.
There are many different options in this field. You could be working in a school or grassroots organisation, you could work with amateur or professional sportspeople and you could be working indoors or outdoors, depending on the sport, fitness or education setting.
A career in this field blends a passion for sport with the ability to directly influence personal development, health and performance. If you love helping people reach their potential, this is the perfect sport career for you!
What type of person is best suited to this career?
A career in sport education, training and coaching suits someone who:
Has these attributes
- Likes mentoring, motivating and teaching
- Cares about people’s wellbeing
- Likes helping others improve and achieve their potential
- Enjoys communicating ideas and strategies
- Patient, supportive and observant
Enjoys these subjects
- PDHPE/ Health and Movement Science
- Biology
- English
- Maths
- Drama
Is interested in
- Fitness, training or physical activity
- Supporting others to reach their potential
- Mental health or performance mindset
- Following sport science or athlete health stories
- Being a coach, team leader or mentor
Exciting jobs in this field
- PDHPE/Sport Teacher – teaches and coaches young people in sport, PDHPE and Health and Movement Science, inspiring them to live healthy lives.
- Head of Sport – leads, develops and coordinates sporting programs at a school or university.
- Outdoor Education Leader – facilitates, supervises and instructs adventure activities in natural environments.
- Sport Development Officer - promotes, organises and develops sport participation within communities.
- Sports Coach – provides expert training and support for player development, team building and on-field strategies.
- Personal Trainer/Exercise Physiologist – creates customised exercise programs to help people achieve fitness goals.
In-depth job focus
What does life as a Sport Development Officer look like?
Life as a Sport Development Officer includes many different roles and responsibilities. Your day could include promoting sport participation and inclusion by overseeing programs for young people or people with disability, coaching, organising events, managing budgets, liaising with schools and doing marketing activities. Your work can take you outdoors to schools, sports clubs and community centres. You’ll work with local government, community clubs, private organisations and educational institutions to put strategies and initiatives into action. Typically, you’ll be employed by local government, regional sports governing bodies or schools or universities.
Working as a Sport Development Officer could be your dream career if you enjoy:
- communicating and building relationships with different people
- leading a team
- coordinating projects
- solving problems
- coaching and inspiring participation in sport
How do you become a Sport Development Officer in Australia?
Ideally you’ll study some of the following High School subjects which are highly relevant for a career as a Sport Development Officer:
- PDHPE/Physical Education (for core knowledge of sport)
- Biology (to understand body functions)
- Business Studies (for planning and event management)
- Psychology (for community engagement and development needs)
- English (for communication skills).
Becoming a Sport Development Officer usually requires a Diploma, Certificate or Bachelor’s Degree in:
- Sports Management
- Sport Science
- Sport and Recreation Management
- Sport Development
However, you can also enter the field by gaining practical experience via an entry-level position or internship at a sports club or school-based sports program and work your way up.
You can get ahead of the pack by volunteering to coach a local team or helping organise community sport programs. This is a great way to build your network with local sporting clubs and to find internships or entry level positions.
Where could a career as a Sport Development Officer take you?
A Sport Development Officer typically starts their career in an entry-level role with a local council or sporting club. As you gain experience, you could move into a regional role and then progress to a senior level role as a State or National Development Manager. Otherwise you may decide to specialise in an area like high performance pathways or specific sports coaching.
The skillset and experience you acquire as a Sport Development Officer can be a pathway to a variety of other fields such as event planning, partnership development and project management.
Career stories
Meet women shaping the future of sport across a wide range of roles. Explore their career journeys, what they enjoy most about their work and the lessons they have learned along the way. Get practical advice to help you imagine your own next step.