7 amazing careers in Sports that offer true rewards
The financial success of the sports industry, which is currently worth £39billion, continues to grow as areas like sports science, fantasy sports, women’s sports, youth club leagues, e-sports, and the emphasis on fitness and health becomes more and more popular.
Whilst becoming a sports athlete is a top choice for many, here are some incredibly rewarding and versatile careers that may not always be thought up, but those that can expose your true talents, and offer great rewards.
1. Sports Psychologist
With so much attention on mental health and well-being across the world, this has always been an important factor, particularly at elite level. As a sports psychologist your work will be around how psychology influences sport and how it can improve performance. You will help to prepare sporting professionals for the demands of their job, such as competition and training.
2. Sports Journalist / Broadcaster
If you enjoy English and the written word then this could be a great career choice. You could be writing creative sports reports, commentating, writing sports columns, being a sports announcer or producer of a sports radio channel or television and much more. This is a really versatile and exciting career with many opportunities to cover a whole host of events.
3. Sports Marketing
This field of work is demanding, but highly gratifying. You will use your excellent inter-personal and social communication skills to secure sponsors for sporting events, promote sports teams and sports products.
You also get to be creative by planning innovative campaigns for sporting events, using PR to raise awareness, working with the media, using digital and social media platforms to deliver key campaigns, messages and raise interest amongst targeted groups and wider communities. You will also build your leadership skills through planning big events from logistics to event hospitality.
4. Sports Scientist
Sports Science is the study of how the healthy human body works during exercise, and how sports and physical activity promote health physically, mentally and socially. Sports scientists apply scientific knowledge of physiology, biomechanics and psychology to underpin their work. Usually you would specialise as a sports scientist or an exercise physiologist and can work at professional sports clubs, fitness centers, and health clubs.
5. Sports Analyst
As a sports analyst you will monitor and record sports performances for an organisation or a team. You will work alongside coaches and athletes and report on performance improvements, team tactics, individual weaknesses and more during training and even competitive environments.
You may also report on sports news, interview athletes and coaches, participate in sports talks on TV or radio and conduct research on emerging trends within the sports industry. This role is varied and exciting and offers many opportunities to work alongside other sporting professionals. This career is ideal for anyone who is passionate about all aspects of sports.
6. Nutritionist
As a nutritionist you will offer scientific based advice to improve health and well-being and to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle. To do this you will generate, assess and deliver specific scientific nutritional advice and may work within community organisations or the healthcare service. You may also work alongside Dieticians or other regulated health professionals, who will diagnose and manage the treatment of patients with your expertise and input.
7. Sports Massage Therapist
If you enjoy science then a career as a massage therapist might suit you very well. Massage therapists are no longer only used for elite level sports, but also sought after by fitness clubs, physiotherapy clinics, sports clubs and even sporting event organisors.
You will be working on rehabilitation, injury prevention strategies and enhancing performance. You will work closely with your clients to help alleviate symptoms of pain, inflammation, maintain optimum tissue quality and to prevent these symptoms from occurring in the first place.
Other rewarding careers
The mental benefits of sports: make it worth your while
A healthy way to look after your mental health is through sports, with more benefits than most of us realise. Here’s how:
- Sport improves your mood
- Sport improves your concentration
- Sport reduces stress and depression
- Sport improves sleep habits
- Sport helps you maintain a healthy weight
- Sport boosts your self-confidence
- Sport has been linked to leadership traits
- Mental benefits of sport for older people
Well-being apps
Don’t be afraid to keep a well-being app close to hand to support you in your daily life. Apps like these can help you keep a balanced mind-set, be confident and stay focused on the positives of life:
