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Discover careers in sport

Explore the variety of off-field career opportunities in sport.

There are lots of high profile sporting events this summer, such as the:

  • UEFA Women's Euros
  • Tour de France
  • World Athletics Championships
  • World Aquatics Championships

With the number of competitions, you might think that a career in sport is only for professional athletes. But there are many people working behind the scenes in every sport.

From local community sports to the highest levels, there are lots of careers that could interest you.

Sportswear designs.

Types of careers in sport

Here are a few examples of sports-related roles in different sectors you might not have thought about.

Community sports roles

You could:

Sport science, psychology and health

You could be a sports performance scientist or physiotherapist, helping people to overcome setbacks and fulfil their potential.

Marketing, sponsorship or legal support

You could help raise awareness of events, initiatives and the positive impact sport can offer, working as a marketing officer or charity fundraiser.

Sports journalism, photography or streaming

You could capture the action in a way that engages the public as a sports journalist, photographer or social media influencer.

Equipment and kit design

You could work as a graphic designer, product designer or illustrator, creating new sportswear and equipment for teams.

Stadium design, construction or engineering

You could help design modern stadiums, working as a civil engineering technician, CAD technician or structural engineer.

Explore careers to discover more roles

New developments in sports

Trends in technology are changing sports both on and off the field. For example:

  • sports kit can be tailored to include tracking and monitoring devices
  • equipment can be designed to suit an individual's strengths
  • artificial intelligence (AI) can analyse performance data to identify areas for improvement
  • accessibility is being prioritised in sports facilities so everyone can take part
  • virtual reality participation allows people to experience sport in a different way
  • online content creation lets fans highlight the issues that interest them and feel closer to the action

These developments are leading to new careers opening up for people at all levels.

Water sports instructor teaching disabled students.

Get started with a sports career

For some careers, you might need to do a university course, like a higher technical qualification or degree. For others, a college course or apprenticeship might be a good option.

Volunteering at a local sports centre or club is also a great way to develop your skills, confidence and to learn how things work. You're likely to find roles in admin, content creation, marketing and fundraising, among others.

You can explore careers to check if you need any qualifications for a specific role.

Whichever route you take, you’ll get plenty of support and training to help you develop your career.

Find out more about careers in sports

You can get more information about careers in sports from:

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Speak to an adviser

If you're not sure whether a career in sports is right for you, you can chat to a qualified careers adviser.