How to Become a Sports Coach in the UK

Do you enjoy working with others? Do you value physical activity and want to support sports at every level? If so, then a career in sports coaching might well appeal to you.

The UK is a country that values its sports, and as such, there’s a high demand for sports coaching. From school clubs to academies and even professional levels, there are countless places for good sports coaches to make a real difference in the lives of people around them.

But what do you need to become a sports coach? And where can a career in coaching take you in the long run?

Sports Coach Training

Before you can teach, you have to train. For most people, becoming a sports coach starts with some type of formal training. The exact training will depend on your sport, but a recognised qualification will be vital for just about any sports coaching job.

While you don’t technically need a licence to coach in the UK, relevant qualifications/experience of the kind obtained via university, college, apprenticeships, or volunteering are vital. After all, why should someone hire you if you can’t demonstrate expertise?

Sports coaching courses typically combine theory with practical assessment. This allows trainees to develop technical knowledge alongside communication and leadership skills. Sports coach training also covers areas such as safeguarding, first aid, and inclusion, which are increasingly important areas across all coaching environments.

Any employer – especially if you’re working with children or vulnerable people – will also carry out a DBS check before hiring you. In practice, this means that any criminal convictions will be seen by your employer and could prevent you from being hired.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Sports Coach?

Now you may be wondering how long it takes to become a sports coach. There’s no clear answer to this question as it depends a lot on your existing skills and experience. While sports coach jobs definitely do expect official experience, they’ll also care a lot about your skill level and your passion.

Put simply, how long have you been doing this? How experienced are you? Can you demonstrate that you’re good enough to teach?

When all’s said and done, building a sustainable sports coach career takes time and requires a willingness and commitment towards your own long-term development.

Sports Coaching Career Paths

For most experienced coaches, their career path is fairly linear. You start out on a part-time or voluntary basis while completing qualifications, gaining practical experience in real coaching environments.

As your experience grows, you move into paid roles within institutions like clubs, schools, and leisure centres. You may also find yourself doing outreach and development work, particularly in community and youth settings.

It’s important to understand that people don’t just become sports coaches for the money, as the pay is just modest if you’re new to the role. Experienced coaches can reach around £30,000 per annum, and professional leagues can go much higher, but elite coaching jobs are in very high demand and are often tied to professional experience.

Most sports coaches can expect a reasonable income for doing something they love, and that’s the key part. The reason so many get involved in local community events and volunteer work is that they’re passionate about it. It’s not just a career for them. They want to promote their sport and share the joy and passion they experience from it.

Career progression is more gradual than in other fields, but ultimately, for those who care about fitness and community, it can be incredibly rewarding both in the long run and on the day-to-day.
Of course, that’s not to say sports coaching is a dead-end career. While for some it’s a dream job, for others it’s a stepping stone into other jobs. Some use it as a pathway into teaching. For others, it can lead to more work in the training/ fitness industry.