Sports professional

Sports professionals earn money from playing sport in front of an audience. Sports played at a professional level include football, rugby, tennis, snooker, horse racing and golf.

Also known as:

• Professional athlete
• Professional sportsperson

Work activities

Sports professionals are people who are exceptionally talented at a particular sport. They earn money from playing their sport in front of an audience. There are a wide variety of sports that can be played at a professional level. Most opportunities are in football, cricket, golf, rugby and equestrian sports. There are also opportunities in cycling, athletics, tennis, boxing, swimming, and motor racing. Sports professionals spend most of their time practising the skills of their chosen sport. This skills training is combined with fitness training to help improve their performance. Most sports professionals have coaches who teach them new skills, help them improve existing skills, and help keep them motivated. Those who play a team sport practise their skills with other team members. Training leads to participation in matches or competitions. These could be just one match, as in league football; or a tournament made up of a series of matches or races. Successful competitors who win their matches can play several times over a period of days or weeks.

After some time off to recover, sports professionals return to their training schedule. Most sports are not played all year round, so sportspeople usually have some time off, out of their playing/performing season. Some very successful sportspeople are paid by companies to promote their products. This usually involves some discussion with company representatives, possibly via a promoter or manager, who looks after the sportsperson’s interests. The sportsperson then appears in publicity shots or adverts and gives television and radio interviews. Most sports professionals spend a considerable amount of time travelling to competitions. Some sports, for example, tennis, require players to spend most of the year travelling from one competition to the next, both nationally and internationally. In many of the more physical or contact sports, the average career can be as little as 10-15 years. Many professionals have finished their playing careers by the time they are in their late 20s and early 30s. Some go on to roles in coaching, management or broadcasting.

Personal qualities and skills

As a professional sportsperson, you need to:

• Perform to an extremely high standard in your chosen sport.
• Be able to maintain your level of fitness.
• Have self-confidence and determination.
• Be extremely dedicated, as training schedules are long and tiring and this is likely to affect your social life.
• Handle pressure and show resilience.
• Be self-disciplined.
• Have teamworking skills.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for sports professionals vary widely depending on the sport and the level played. Some receive wages, as in any other job; others rely mainly on sponsorship money, fees for appearing in prestigious competitions and prize money. Only a small number make very high earnings. Not many people make a full-time living from professional sport. Greater numbers play on a part-time or semi-professional basis, combining this with other employment.

Hours of work vary depending on the sport. However, sports professionals can generally expect to work in the evenings and at weekends and on public holidays.

For some sports you would be employed by a sports club, for example a football or cricket team.  Players of Olympic sports may receive funding from the national governing body for their sport, or from the National Lottery. The amount they receive depends on how successful they have been so far.

You could be based anywhere in the UK – some sports professionals to work in other countries, for example, as a player, competitor, coach or manager.

Self-employment opportunities occur for sports professionals to work on a self-employed basis.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are rarely advertised, as many sports professionals work their way up through club, county and national competitions.

Entry routes and training

The usual route is to joining a club and take part in junior leagues or amateur tournaments, where your talent can be displayed. You may work your way up through county and regional level competitions. Outstanding sportspeople may be approached by talent scouts to attend a trial; or by coaches who want to help develop their potential further. An level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship is also available for talented athletes, under the title sporting excellence professional.

Ongoing training is essential to compete in the professional sports arena.

As professional sportspeople retire while still relatively young, they usually have a number of working years ahead of them. Some go into coaching, while some high-profile sportspeople go into careers in the media. Many others go on to regular jobs.

Qualifications

Sporting skills are more important than academic qualifications. However, it is important to have as many qualifications as possible as a back-up for when your performing career is over. For example, some professional sportspeople study for a degree and train while at university.

To begin an apprenticeship you will need to show exceptional aptitude for your chosen sport and hold GCSEs in English and maths (although it may be possible to complete these alongside your apprenticeship).

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. However, very few sports professionals start their career in adult life. For most people, becoming a professional is the result of many years of playing and training, often starting at a young age. In several of the more physical or contact sports, the average career might only be 10-15 years. Many professionals have finished their playing careers by the time they are in their late 20s and early 30s. Some sports offer more opportunity than others. Less physically demanding sports, such as snooker, darts and golf, have professionals who continue to perform at a high level for many years.

Related careers

• Dancer
• Fitness instructor
• Outdoor pursuits instructor
• Sports coach
• Sports scientist