Sports and leisure centre assistant

Sports and leisure centre assistants look after equipment and help members of the public get the most out of their visit. Some help instructors to run sports or fitness courses.

Also known as:

• Health/leisure centre assistant
• Leisure centre assistant
• Recreation assistant

Work activities

Sports and leisure centre assistants set up and look after equipment, such as nets and goalposts. They make sure that equipment and playing areas are safe and tidy. Assistants need to be familiar with all the equipment used in the centres, so they can tell whether it is working properly. They show members of the public how to use equipment and give information when required. Some assistants also look after the changing rooms and lockers and are responsible for the safe care and return of valuables. There are likely to be general cleaning duties in and around the centre, as well as equipment cleaning duties.

At some centres, assistants also work as qualified pool lifeguards, and have relevant duties, such as keeping watch over the people using the pool and cleaning the poolside areas. Some assistants help instructors to run sports or fitness courses. The job could also involve serving drinks and snacks in a bar or cafe, including taking money and giving change. Some assistants work on reception, taking bookings and dealing with enquiries from the public. If there are special events at the centre, an assistant might help to set up seating and equipment, and act as a steward during the event. Dealing with problems and complaints from members of the public is another part of the job. It may also be necessary to deal with emergencies, such as accidents.

Personal qualities and skills

As a sports and leisure centre assistant, you need to have:

• An interest in, and enthusiasm for, sport.
• A practical approach to work.
• Fitness and stamina.
• A sense of responsibility.
• The ability to work as part of a team.
• Initiative.
• Communication and people skills.
• The ability to explain things, such as the safe use of equipment, clearly and tactfully.
• Life-saving skills will be needed if you work by a swimming pool.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Sports and leisure centre assistants earn a salary in the range of £15,000, rising to up to around £21,000 with experience or additional responsibilities.

Sports and leisure centre assistants usually work a 37-40-hour week, which is likely to include evenings, shift work and work on public holidays. Part-time opportunities are available and popular with students and those with other responsibilities.

Opportunities for sports and leisure centre assistants occur throughout the UK. Employers include public and private sports, recreation, fitness and health centres and clubs. Private clubs can be found in hotels, holiday camps and in companies with recreational facilities. There may also be jobs in schools, colleges and universities.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised

• In local newspapers and on their websites
• On employers’ websites.
• On job boards such as Leisureweek.com, lgjobs.com and Leisurejobs.com.
• On the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services.

Entry routes and training

A level 2 (intermediate) apprenticeship in the role of leisure team member is a great place to start. Some people take a relevant full-time course, such as leisure and recreation, before starting work. Also, a first aid certificate, pool lifeguard or coaching qualification could help your application.

Training is usually on-the-job, sometimes with day-release to college. Trainees work towards a relevant work-based qualification.

If you want to progress while in the job, you may be encouraged to work towards a qualification endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). Higher level work-based qualifications are available if you want to progress to supervisory and management posts.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: Working with children and young people aged under 18 in this career can be an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

No educational qualifications are usually required, but most employers prefer you to have at least basic English and maths. If you are working at a swimming pool, you will need a lifeguard qualification.

If you wish to enter this career through an intermediate apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to take these alongside the programme if you don’t have them already.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Any sports prizes or coaching/instructor qualifications are useful. A keen interest in health and fitness issues is important.

Some colleges relax entrance requirements for applicants with a relevant background in sport and recreation.

Related careers

• Fitness instructor
• Ride operator
• Sports and leisure centre manager
• Personal trainer
• Recreation manager
• Pool lifeguard
• Amusement arcade worker