3432 — Sports coaches, instructors and officials

What this occupation covers

Sports coaches, instructors and officials work with amateur and professional sportsmen and women to enhance performance, encourage greater participation in sport, supervise recreational activities such as canoeing and mountaineering, and organise and officiate at sporting events according to established rules.

Typical duties

coaches teams or individuals by demonstrating techniques and directing training and exercise sessions

controls team selection and discipline and recruits ancillary staff such as coaches or physiotherapists

monitors and analyses technique and performance, and determines how future improvements can be made

deals with administrative aspects such as arranging matches, contests or appearances for athlete or team, and organising required transport and accommodation

provides information and develops facilities to encourage greater participation in sport, and to enhance the standards of participants

understands health and safety aspects of various activities and ensures any statutory requirements are met

inspects and maintains specialised clothing and equipment

manages the playing areas and competitors, starts race, competition or match and controls its progress according to established rules

Entry routes and qualifications

There are no formal academic requirements although individuals must have experience in their sport and the relevant coaching and refereeing qualifications. Applicants to coaching courses must normally be over 18 years old and hold a first-aid certificate. Some courses encompass coaching awards within broader programmes of study. Vocational qualifications in coaching are available in the context of certain sports. Background checks including a DBS check are required for those working with children.

Sponsorship information

Ineligible. Actual duties, sponsor, applicant, salary and any transitional or shortage-list conditions must be checked.

DBS assessment

No code-wide DBS assessment is assigned. Check actual duties, activities, workplace, frequency and jurisdiction. This code does not determine the level of check.

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