Sports Development Officer
What is the work like?
Sports development officers (SDOs) aim to improve access to sport and physical activity for people of all ages and abilities. They organise projects, programmes, information and training to encourage people to increase their activity and have a healthier lifestyle.
As a sports development officer you could be involved in:
- working with local communities to identify the need and demand for new activities
- improving access to sport for young people, people with disabilities and people from disadvantaged communities
- supporting initiatives to reduce crime and rehabilitate offenders.
Your day-to-day tasks would include:
- making sure resources are used and all available funding is accessed
- putting local and national policies into practice
- identifying opportunities for funding
- organising, promoting and running projects and activities
- monitoring and evaluating projects
- attending meetings, seminars and conferences
- finding and training suitable staff, coaches and volunteers for projects
- managing resources and budgets.
You could also sometimes coach or supervise the sports for which you are qualified.
You could promote sport in general, working for a County Sports Partnership or local authority, or concentrate on a specific sport, working for a national governing body as a sports specific development officer (SSDO).
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Many sports development officers have a degree or equivalent, often in subjects such as sports development, sports coaching, sports science or recreation/leisure management. However, this may not be essential if you are able to show that you have the right experience.
It is important to be able to demonstrate practical commitment, so you should gain as much experience as possible by volunteering in areas such as:
- sports activities
- coaching
- community and holiday sports schemes.
You may also be able to get unpaid work experience with local sports development officers.
It would be useful if you have a background in coaching – sports development officers are often qualified to coach a number of different sports or activities. You may be able to gain coaching qualifications as part of a degree or BTEC HNC/HND. See the Sports Coach and Football Coach profiles for more information.
What further training and development can I do?
Once you are working in sports development you may be able to complete:
- NVQ Level 3 in Sports Development, or
- NVQ Level 3 in Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations: Operations and Development (which includes units related to sports development).
You can keep your knowledge up to date by joining the Institute for Sports, Parks and Leisure (ISPAL) continuing professional development programme. Visit the ISPAL website for details.
You may find it useful to do courses in marketing, finance and human resource management, as these areas are likely to be important in sports development jobs.
Where can I go for more information?
Leeds Metropolitan UniversityCarnegie Faculty of Sport and Education
Fairfax Hall
Headingley Campus
Beckett Park
Leeds
LS6 3QS
Tel: 0113 283 6162
77-91 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX
Advice line: 08000 933300
Lower Basildon
Reading
RG8 9NE
Tel: 0845 6038734
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Salaries can be between £19,000 and £27,000 a year.
- For senior positions salaries can be from £26,000 to over £30,000.
Figures are only intended as a guideline.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your working hours may vary from week to week, sometimes including unsocial hours to cover times when most people are able to take part in leisure activities.
You would have an office base for carrying out the administrative parts of the job, but would also visit community groups, schools, events, sports venues and meetings, sometimes in the evenings or at weekends.
Your work would involve a lot of local travel if you are a SDO, and regional travel if you are a SSDO.
Although you would not usually join in with the activities you have organised, you may have to be present to make sure they run smoothly. This could involve being outside in all weathers.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- enthusiasm about the benefits of sports and healthy living
- excellent communication skills
- leadership and organisational skills
- flexibility and adaptability
- good computer and administrative skills
- the ability to think on your feet.
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed by organisations such as local authorities, youth organisations, NGBs, Sports Councils and universities.
Some jobs may only be funded for a limited time, so you would have a short fixed-term contract.
With experience, you could be promoted to a senior position, but this is likely to involve relocating. You could also move into management of health and fitness programmes.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
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