Degrees / Careers in Sport

[Settname]

I have been reading this board particularly the thread on unusual / lesser known courses and have found it very helpful for thinking outside the box of different options.

I was wondering if anyone would mind sharing with me courses / careers to consider for the following.

My DS is in sixth form, and doesn’t know what they want to do for either next step or future career, but they would like to do something around sport.

They participate in a wide range of sports and while first XI at school not at a county / national / academy level, so not professional sportsman on the cards.

They are academically able GCSEs 9/8s, A levels (Geography / Biology / Economics) predicted AAA.

Is anyone able to recommend a course or a career (can then go backwards) for someone who wants to be involved in “sport”?

Only thing that is a current no is Teacher so open to all suggestions.

Does he like science?
If so, maybe Sport and Exercise Science. Look at the BASES website.

But why does he have to choose a career now?
Perhaps pick a subject area he likes, look at possible career options (?)

He doesn’t have to choose a career, I was just trying to help him find something he would like to do and was thinking of the two ways one find a course - I hadn’t heard of BASES so thank you will check that out, or find a career that interests and then see what qualifications they like applicants to have.

Physiotherapist?

There is the Morrisby test that assesses suitability for careers and suggests careers. You pay to take them and it might come up with something he hasn’t thought about. It was very accurate for DD many years ago!

I’m not sure about what better paid careers there are in sports but does money motivate him? If is he prepared to work in a gym? What are the possibilities of working in professional sport? Menybehondo seem to be ex professional sportspeople!

Obviously coaching can be well paid but there are back room people who do nutrition, physio, conditioning etc. Some will be medically trained and some sports science trained. I think it’s a career where jobs can be dead-end so I would be cautious about whether he will be fulfilled long term. He seems bright so I works explore careers fully and see if he will be happy long term.,

In the spirit of niche courses, I understand the economics department at Reading has a member of staff whole specialises in sports economics.

It might be worth looking at Loughborough or St Mary's in Twickenham as they have some good sport related degrees.

I know someone who is currently doing a sport's nutrition course at St Mary's.

Thank you for these suggestions they are very helpful.

Re money motivation money is a consideration but interest in the role is higher, but if we can find a well paid role win win

If he doesn't want to play or teach, then there are some good sports management courses around these days, which are essentially business degrees but with a particular bent towards sport. They would equip your DS to go and work for governing bodies in the sport(s) he is most interested.

Alternatively as PP said there is sports nutrition or sports psychology if either of those options interest him.

Jobs in sport tend, as a generalisation, to pay not brilliantly on a simple supply and demand basis, but they can be great fun and very fulfilling (DH and DS1both work in sport, in very different capacities).

Sports psychologist
Sport Analyst
Strength and Conditioning coach
Sport Development
Sports and Exercise scientist
Teaching ( including HE level)
Sports therapist

Fitness instructor/ trainer
Coach
Sports Journalist
Etc etc

Lawyer - lots of interesting areas in sport such as intellectual property, regulatory (such as dealing with drugs-taking), sponsorship agreements etc.

Leeds Beckett also have some niche sports related courses:

www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/subjects/sport/

DD knows a chap who worked in the city before retraining to be a nurse. He now is a private nurse and specialises on sports tours, eg going on tour with the Arsenal football team, cricket tours, Olympic team etc. He also does lots of overseas (air ambulance) repatriations of injured/ill UK residents.

@Aslockton

Leeds Beckett also have some niche sports related courses:

www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/subjects/sport/

DD knows a chap who worked in the city before retraining to be a nurse. He now is a private nurse and specialises on sports tours, eg going on tour with the Arsenal football team, cricket tours, Olympic team etc. He also does lots of overseas (air ambulance) repatriations of injured/ill UK residents.

Came on to mention Leeds Beckett - they have several courses including Sport Business.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions - my ds is looking at them all, and is finding others as he follows courses.

Aslockton what a cool job that guy has and so much more interesting and varied than a city job.