| |  Career: Sports Development Officer
Sports development officers aim to provide opportunities for participation in sports for all sections of the community. They distribute information and organise events, programmes and work with clubs and sports organisations.
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| 1 | Qualifications Needed:
This career is open to all graduates and diplomates, but particularly to graduates in sports science / studies, leisure studies and related programmes.
Pre-entry work experience in community, sport, school or voluntary organisations is essential. Coaching experience is highly desirable (this can be gained through working or volunteering for local authorities or governing bodies and clubs).
Employers are generally looking for:
- initiative, self-motivation and the ability to motivate others;
- the ability to make decisions under pressure;
- excellent communication skills, both written and oral, to communicate effectively with all sections of the community;
- the ability to work with other individuals in a group setting;
project management skills and the ability to manage people, including groups of volunteers;
- the capacity to work without close supervision;
- negotiation skills and political awareness of current sports issues;
- excellent organisation, administration and IT skills;
- a practical commitment to sport and a knowledge of sport or a range of sports;
- an ability to build up good working relationships with client groups and partner bodies and the ability to work in a team.
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| 2 | Vocational routes in:
Entry without a degree or HND is possible, for people with coaching qualifications and related work experience. |
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| 3 | Where to study:
There are a wide range of places to study sports, including:
- University of Worcester – range of sports related course
- Worcester College of Technology – Fd in Sports, HND Sports Studies
- Stourbridge College – HND Sports Coaching
- Coventry University – range of sports related courses
- Staffordshire University – range of Sports related courses
- University of Birmingham – range of sports related courses
- University of Wolverhampton – range of Sports related courses
- North East Worcestershire College – HND sports and exercise sciences
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| 5 | Employer Case Study:
Local authorities are the main employers, but also some universities and colleges of higher education. Sports Councils and governing bodies of sports also employ sports development officers |
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