Sports Coach
Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.
| Job Prospects |
Good; employment in this occupation is expected to grow strongly to 2014-15. |
| Salary Range |
$25,000 to $30,000 plus |
| Brief |
Elite athletes may be blessed with the athletic prowess to power their way through the sport of their choice, but they also need strong motivation to reach their goals. It's the job of the sports coach to motivate and direct such individuals and teams as they strive for excellence.
There are currently around 2,400 sports coaches and related support workers employed in South Australia. Over half are employed part-time and most work in the cultural and recreational services industry. Most persons in this occupation are female and most are employed in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This occupation has a younger age profile less than a fifth of people employed aged 45 years or older. |
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TAFE SA courses that may be relevant for: Sports Coach
Accredited (Award)
Introduction
Ten seconds to go, scores are tied. He marks the ball and executes a perfectly aimed torpedo kick to score the winning goal. At moments like this, coaches of Football, Netball and many more sporting clubs are glad that they have taken their teams through some carefully prepared drills for the big game.
Sports coaches teach individuals and teams how to improve the way they play their sport by analysing their performances, instructing players in relevant skills and enhancing players' performances.
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Education Requirements
There are no specific education requirements to become a sports coach, however most coaches recommend having a broad knowledge and experience of the sport you want to coach. Increasingly, sports coaches are encouraged to have formal qualifications in the area. Currently of those employed in the industry 13% have Bachelor degrees or higher qualifications, 11% have Certificate III or IV. 60% have no post school qualification but if people want to give themselves the strongest chance of gaining employment in the industry further education is recommended.
TAFE SA offer the following courses to help you find employment in this occupation; the Certificate III, IV and Diploma of Fitness, and a Packaged Program in Sport (Development) and Sport and Recreation which incorporates the Certificate IV in Sport (Coaching). For further information about these and related courses go to the TAFE SA website at http://www.tafesa.edu.au.
The University of South Australia offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement and Health Studies) degree that may assist in finding employment in this occupation.
Career Path
So if you are interested in becoming a sports coach, whether it be at an elite level or for a local amateur sports team, be prepared to work hard to get to the top. Typically, sports coaches will have to start out by volunteering their services, or possibly working as an assistant coach. Most state or national coaches have had extensive experience playing at an elite level.
Coaches can be employed in various industries in both private and government sectors. However, full-time positions for professional sports coaches are very few. Coaches can run a sports training facility and offer their coaching services.
Most sporting bodies have coaching development officers who are responsible for coordinating the many part-time and voluntary coaches who contribute to the sport.
Employment opportunities depend on the number of people playing various sports, corporate sponsorship and media coverage of sporting events, the performance of Australian sporting teams and individuals and the level of community interest/involvement in these performances. The growing acceptance of sport as part of a healthy lifestyle can potentially contribute to the growth of this occupation. Sports promotion and the professionalism in many sports can also possibly contribute to job opportunities.
Industries
Cultural and Recreational Services, Health and Community Services
Interview
To be updated
Nature of the Job
''Firstly, you break the sport up, identifying what's needed in terms of physical and mental fitness and strength and skills development. Then you look at the nutritional needs of the players. You also need to be aware of any outside influences that may be affecting them,'' says former hockey coach with the Australian Institute of Sport. ''And, at a professional level of competition, sports coaches seek the advice and support of other professionals such as nutritionists, medical practitioners and physiotherapists. '' During a training session, coaches take athletes through their warm up, drill and cool-down sessions. They discuss tactics or talk to individual players about their performance. Some coaches believe that video recordings of matches are a great teaching tool. Both coach and players get to view the strengths and weaknesses of their game, as well as those of opposing teams.
Typical Physical Working Environment
On the day of a match, the team is named and a warm up takes place. Throughout the game, a coach keeps a close watch on the way the game develops. They take notes, keep people on the bench involved in the game and put into play any game strategies they have devised. But the work of a coach doesn't take place just on the field. When not at training, much time is spent in an office, planning and keeping records of training sessions and the performance of individuals and assessing areas where more work is needed. Organisation is a key skill required of all sports coaches. They have to plan training sessions down to the last minute, and must also coordinate the game strategies of the entire team.
Typical Occupational Example
To ensure that the training regime is going to be effective, you must have a thorough knowledge of the sport that you coach. People skills are also a must, as a large part of the role involves communicating with their team, assistant coaches and related professionals. For one coach, the greatest part of coaching is constantly being surrounded by dynamic people, and being able to assist them to achieve their optimum level of skill. Providing stimulus, motivation and guidance to each and every player on their team, often leaves coaches little time to focus on themselves. For some high profile coaches, being in the media spotlight 24 hours a day, can be very draining.
For further information, contact:
Office for Recreation and Sport
PO Box 219 Brooklyn Park SA 5032
Ph: (08) 8416 6677
Fax: (08) 8416 6755
Email: sasi@saugov.sa.gov.au
Internet Address: http://www.recsport.sa.gov.au
Earning Potential
The Australian Sports Commission suggests that the number of full time paid positions is increasing and will continue to do so. However one sports administrator cautions, ''Employment prospects overall for full-time positions in sports coaching are not great. Most opportunities exist in part time or assistant coaching positions. Employment opportunities can be sought from the Australian Sports Commission, the Australian Institute of Sport and through state institutes such as the South Australian Institute of Sport, through sporting clubs and some opportunities may also exist in schools. Salaries for sports coaches range from little or nothing as a volunteer, up to and above $200,000 for elite sports coaches. On average, however professional coaches may earn from around $25,000 per annum, up to approximately $30,000.
Further Information
For further information about all TAFE SA Courses, phone 1800 882 661 or enquire online