Athlete

Alternative titles for this job include Track and field athlete

Athletes compete in track and field events for their clubs, and some go on to represent their country at international level.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

Variable variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become an athlete

You can get into this career through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • a sports development programme

University

You can apply to do a course at university in the usual way through UCAS and join your university’s athletics development programme, if one is available.

You may be able to apply to a university for a sports scholarship, if you’ve competed at club, regional or national level and have shown the potential to go further.

You can get advice about combining university study with your athletics career from England Athletics.

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships relevant to this role include:

  • Level 3 Community activator coach
  • Level 3 Community sport and health officer

These apprenticeships may give you opportunities to use your sports skills outside of a professional sporting career.

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Other Routes

You may be able to study for a qualification at college or university as part of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme.

You must be 16 or over, be performing at a high level, and be nominated by your sport's national governing body, UK Athletics.

You can apply to join the Paralympic Development Academy, if you have the potential to perform at national and international paralympic level.

If you're already competing at a high level, you may be offered an opportunity to join the British Athletics Futures Academy Programme. This aims to help exceptionally talented athletes compete at World Championships, and Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Contact your nearest athletics club for information about how to get involved and for details of their athlete development programmes.

More Information

Career tips

Many athletes combine their career in track and field with study or a second job.

Further information

You can get more details about how to become an athlete from British Athletics and UK Athletics.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • physical fitness and endurance
  • persistence and determination
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day duties will depend on your event. You may:

  • take part in indoor and outdoor training sessions and exercise routines
  • practise running, throwing or jumping drills
  • work with fitness coaches in the gym to build up strength and conditioning
  • have treatment with physiotherapists for any injuries
  • identify areas for improvement with your coach
  • take part in trials and competitive races
  • travel to athletics events, including overseas for international championships
  • take part in promotional and media activities for your club
  • mentor younger athletes

Working environment

You could work on a sports field or at a sports arena.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers, physically and emotionally demanding and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear a sports kit.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could move into coaching with clubs, colleges and universities. Your experience would also be useful for jobs in community sports development or sports management.

You might also take further training to become a sports physiotherapist, nutritionist or sports scientist.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Sports Coach Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,920.00 Annually
  • Location: Dinton, Aylesbury

School Sports Coach Apprentice in Launceston

  • Wage: £8,236.80 Annually
  • Location: Hurdon Road, Launceston

Courses In England

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Jobs In the United Kingdom

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