What are the qualifications needed to become a professional sports coach?
I am curious about potentially becoming a professional sports coach someday in the future. What are the qualifications I would need to get into the coaching career? #sports-management #coaching
2 answers
Sunitha’s Answer
Sports coaches teach individuals and teams how to improve the way they play and practise their sport by analysing their performances, instructing them in relevant skills, providing motivation and enhancing their capabilities.
Personal requirements for a Sports Coach
Thorough understanding of preferred sport
Good communication skills
Good interpersonal skills
Enthusiastic, disciplined and dedicated
Flexible and innovative
Prepared to travel and to work long hours, evenings and weekends
Education & Training for a Sports Coach
You can work as a sports coach without formal qualifications. Each sport has its own coach qualification framework managed by the state and/or national governing body. Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have a background in the specific sport and/or have qualifications in a relevant discipline. You may like to consider a VET course. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You can also become a sports coach through a traineeship. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10. Alternatively, you can become a sports coach by completing a degree in sports coaching, sport development, exercise and sports science, sport management or human movement. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry or physics are normally required. Institutions have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.
Additional information
It is recommended that coaches become accredited. The National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS), coordinated by the Australian Sports Commission (www.ausport.gov.au), offers education, training and accreditation to coaches. NCAS training programs include components for both general coaching principles and sport-specific skills, techniques and strategies. These programs are available in more than 70 sports, providing the industry-standard qualification for coaches.
Jenn’s Answer
Oftentimes coaches are hired based on former playing experience in that sport as well as their work experience (internships or previous coaching jobs). If you want to coach at a school (whether high school or college), a college degree is important, but the type of degree or major is usually less important than having relevant work experience and proving yourself as someone who is knowledgeable about your sport (through playing and/or coaching).