You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• sports development or management
• sports coaching
• sports science
• leisure studies

It's important to get work experience in community sport during your studies as most employers expect this. Talk to your university careers service for help and advice on finding internship, year placement and volunteering opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

You could take a college course to give you some of the skills and knowledge needed to start out as a trainee in this role. 

Courses include:

• community sports leadership
• sports development
• sports coaching and performance

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You may be able to apply for an apprenticeship with a local authority or community organisation. 

Options include:

• Community Activator Coach Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Community Sport and Health Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take up to 2 years to complete, and are a mix of on-the-job learning and study with a college or training provider.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Volunteering as a coach, supporting community and holiday sports schemes, or working with a local sports club can help to build your skills and confidence and may lead into paid employment.

You can search for opportunities through:

• Do-It
• NCVO

You can apply directly for jobs, if you've got relevant skills and knowledge, for example gained from:

• setting up and running sporting programmes
• training or coaching
• volunteering work

You'll need:

• leadership skills
• the ability to work well with others
• a desire to help people
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• sensitivity and understanding
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• knowledge of public safety and security
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

As a sports development officer, you could:

• plan and tailor schemes for different groups
• manage staff, coaches and volunteers on projects
• promote and run sporting programmes and activities
• monitor and review the progress of schemes
• identify funding sources and sponsorship
• manage a budget
• carry out risk assessments on activities
• write reports on the outcomes of particular projects

You could work in an office, at a school, on a sports field, at a fitness centre or at a college.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.