Sports and Leisure

The sector in a snapshot

Sheffield has a wealth of leisure facilities, with activities available in sports and culture, and plenty of visitor attractions. It has a thriving cultural and creative sector, accounting for 7.2% of Sheffield’s working population, almost double the national average and with the Peak District on Sheffield's doorstep, not to mention international sporting venues, the city is really on the map in the sporting and leisure world.

The sector includes a range of roles, from research and development, to performance, healthy living and community engagement. You could be supporting a high performance athlete to perform their best, advising on techniques in a gym or helping a young person try rock climbing for the first time. The Sports and Recreation Alliance have predicted five key trends coming up in the sector based on consumer trends and insights including more use of technology, the incorporation of playfulness into the sector, use of social media to broadcast views and experiences.

What could the sector offer you?

Jobs in this industry are likely to:

  • Let you progress- Progression can be fairly quick and there are often opportunities to travel with many job roles in the industry.

  • Have flexible working hours- you may be able to set your own hours in some jobs.

  • Choose to be self-employed- lots of roles in this sector involve being self-employed.

  • Spend time active and on your feet- you will have very little time sat in front of a computer.

  • Follow your own passion and skill- you will be doing something you personally love and sharing it with others.

  • Have high job satisfaction- you’re helping people to enjoy their spare time by reaching their fitness potential or giving them experiences.

Reality Check

Many jobs in the sector can require you to work long or unsocial hours, early mornings, evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Salaries can be relatively low when you get started and work can sometimes be unreliable. In some jobs, if you are self-employed you will need to work off your own back to find customers. Some outdoor work will also mean you have to be outside in all weathers such as abseiling in the winter.

You may need to have skills in...

Attention to detail, accepting criticism and work well under pressure, patience, ambition and a desire to succeed, persistence and determination, customer service, communication, physical fitness and endurance, basic IT

Some roles in the sector

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (Approx. £36,400 per annum)

These people are responsible for organising timetables of activities and scheduling programmes. They are the lead for the facilities and need to ensure they are kept clean and appropriate for use. Their main aim is to keep ahead of the new trends and developments, getting in speakers and doing demonstrations. They are also responsible for the running of facilities, checking stock, coordinating staff and finances.

OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR (approx £23,000 per annum)

Outdoor instructors will work with people who want to have experiences of outdoor activities. They will work with groups or individuals to safely show them techniques so that activities can be completed safely. They may work alongside other professionals such as coaches or physiotherapists. They will need to deal with administrative activities like bookings and will need a good awareness of health and safety and the specialised equipment that they use.

PERSONAL TRAINER (will vary depending on rates)

Personal Trainers guide clients interested in weight loss, muscle building and increasing their fitness levels on the appropriate modes of action. They work with clients to create individualized plans for achieving their fitness goals through a variety of methods and provide supplemental nutritional information. A personal trainer creates one-on-one fitness programmes for their clients, motivating and guiding them to achieve their goals.

SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPIST (between £24,000 to £45,000 per annum)

Sports physiotherapists diagnose and treat sports injuries. They help individuals to get better and advise them on how to avoid similar injuries in the future. They work with top-level professional sportspeople as well as people who play the sport recreationally. They may work with a wider team of professionals such as sports scientists, coaches and other healthcare workers. You'll provide an immediate response when sport and exercise-related injuries occur and will rehabilitate the patient back to full fitness. You'll also provide advice and support to help prevent injuries from happening in the first place.

Work experience is recommended in this sector. You can find work through:

  • an apprenticeship

  • part-time or full-time employment in sporting settings

  • being spotted by a talent scout (for the professional sport route)

  • a sponsorship or scholarship scheme

  • ​​​​​​​volunteering

See what your career map might look like for the college

Sports.pdf