Employers and Universities: Work with us?
Sport & Fitness
If you're into playing sports or helping others get active, this Career Zone will always keep you on top of your game!
What's sport and fitness?
⚽ What is the sports sector?
The sports sector covers everything from athletes on the pitch to the people behind the scenes – trainers, organisers, and media pros – making sure sports events happen and everyone stays active.
💪 What about fitness?
The fitness industry helps people smash their goals, whether that’s getting stronger, fitter, or just staying healthy. Trainers, instructors, and gyms help people hit their targets and keep fit.
Need more info? Ask an Apprentice
Considering an apprenticeship in this area of work? Or just unsure about uni? Our Ask an Apprentice community is made for you! Be mentored and chat with real apprentices, get application tips, and ask all your burning questions through our new platform.
What jobs can I do?
Athlete
Athletes compete at the top levels, whether they’re pros or amateurs. They train full-time, aiming to compete nationally or internationally, often with support from sponsors or salaries.
Coach
Coaches train teams or individuals to perform their best. They design workouts, give advice and motivate athletes, from kids at school to elite professionals.
Event manager
Event managers make sports events happen. They handle everything from ticket sales to venue prep, ensuring the event runs smoothly and fans have a great time.
Instructor
Instructors lead group fitness classes, like spin or yoga, helping people work out, stay motivated and reach their fitness goals, whether at the gym or outdoors.
Nutritionist
Nutritionists create meal plans to help athletes perform at their best and everyday people eat healthier. They specialise in diets that improve performance and recovery.
Outdoor activity leader
Outdoor activity leaders run fun adventure activities like surfing, hiking and skiing. They teach skills, ensure safety and make sure everyone has a blast while staying fit outdoors.
Personal trainer
Personal trainers work one-on-one with clients, designing personalised workouts to hit fitness goals – whether that’s losing weight, building muscle or just staying active.
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists help athletes recover from injuries, getting them back to peak performance. You’ll see them working with teams on the sidelines, helping people get back in shape.
Sports journalist
Sports journalists cover all the action, from match results to athlete interviews, writing stories or creating content that keeps fans updated on the latest sports news.
Sports presenter
Sports presenters host live shows on TV or radio, giving commentary, analysis and interviews on all the big games, keeping the audience hyped and in the know.
What skills do I need?
💡 Initiative
Having initiative means being able to take charge and figure things out on your own, which is key in fast-paced environments like sports and fitness.
🦸🏽 Leadership
Leadership is about motivating teams, making decisions, and guiding people to success, whether you’re a coach, captain, or managing a project.
🏋🏾♀️ Physical fitness
Physical fitness is essential if you’re working in sport or fitness, making sure you have the energy and ability to stay active and lead by example.
💭 Problem solving
Problem solving is a must for overcoming challenges, whether you’re coaching, managing an event, or working out how to hit personal fitness goals.
🧑🏾🤝🧑🏽 Teamwork
Teamwork is at the core of most sport and fitness roles, helping you work well with others, whether on the pitch or behind the scenes at an event.
How do I get started?
🛠️ What apprenticeships can I do?
You can go for a level 2 community activator coach, level 3 personal trainer or level 4 sports coach apprenticeship, gaining skills while working and training in the sport and fitness world.
🎓 Is uni an option?
University is a solid way into the industry. Degrees in sports science, nutrition, or physiotherapy can lead to coaching, healthcare or sports management roles.
↗️ What postgraduate qualifications can I do?
You can level up with a master’s in sports science, physiotherapy, or sports management, which will help you specialise and go further in your sport and fitness career.
⭐ How can I stand out?
Stand out by getting hands-on experience through volunteering, coaching or internships. Build a strong skill set, and stay passionate about sport and fitness in everything you do.
What qualifications can I get?
What degree options do I have?
Degree options include sports science, physiotherapy, physical education, sports management or nutrition, opening up careers in coaching, healthcare or sports administration.
What qualifications can I get through a sport and fitness apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships can earn you qualifications like an NVQ or diploma in coaching, fitness instruction or leisure operations, plus certifications from bodies like CIMSPA for career growth.
5 fun facts you didn't know
1 in 7 women in the UK plays on a football team
And 770,000 girls play football.
A quarter of Brits think they could qualify for the 2028 Olympics!
According to polling company YouGov. We’ll leave you to decide how realistic that is…
Two-thirds of us are physically active
63% of us do 150 minutes or more of moderate physical activity each week.
We love football!
Surprise, surprise…! 80% of UK sports fans follow football – the next most popular sport is boxing, way down at 29%.
More than one in Brits follow American football
Now this one really did surprise us! 13% of British sports fans are followers of American football.
Need more info? Ask an Apprentice
Considering an apprenticeship in this area of work? Or just unsure about uni? Our Ask an Apprentice community is made for you! Be mentored and chat with real apprentices, get application tips, and ask all your burning questions through our new platform.
