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Sports development officer

Alternative titles for this job include

Sports development officers organise projects and training to encourage people to take part in sport and have a healthier lifestyle.

Average salary (a year)

£23,000 Starter

to

£35,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

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

More Information

College

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.

More Information

Apprenticeship

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.

More Information

Volunteering

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:

Direct Application

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

More Information

Career tips

There's a lot of competition, so getting work experience and making contacts through networking will improve your chances of finding a job.

Experience of playing sports, or coaching across age groups with different abilities, can also be useful.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in sport from The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

UK Coaching has more on how to get coaching qualifications in any sport.

What it takes

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

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

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

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

Working environment

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a sports development manager or area manager, co-ordinating schemes across different locations.

You may be able to move into policy development at a regional or national level, or work as a consultant on a freelance basis, helping organisations to set up their own programmes.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Sports Coach Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £11,778 a year Annually
  • Location: 2nd Floor, 26 Goodge Street, London

Primary PE Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £11,778 a year Annually
  • Location: MILBANKE WAY, BRACKNELL
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Sports Coaching and Development Extended Certificate

  • Provider: BEXHILL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Bexhill on Sea

Sports Coaching and Development Extended Diploma, Level 3

  • Provider: CITY COLLEGE NORWICH
  • Start date: 02 September 2025
  • Location: Norwich
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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