Sports and fitness

The UK has relatively low public spending on sport, with obesity and heart attack rates well above those of comparable countries. The sector is generally divided into:

• Sport and recreation
• Health and fitness
• Playwork
• The outdoors
• Caravans

Football is the most popular sport in the UK, with 42,000 clubs and 1.5 million members. There are more bowls clubs than those of any other sport club except football, although members of snooker and golf clubs both outnumber bowls club members by two to one. Swimming, walking and going to the gym are also very popular. There are 4.5 million gym members, but only 27% of them actually go to the gym on a regular basis

In England, more than 20% of the adult population aged 16 and over take part regularly in sport and active recreation, whilst nearly 30% have built some exercise into their lives. However more than 50% of adults have not taken part in any moderate intensity sport and active recreation of 30 minutes duration in the last four weeks. Regular participation (at least three days a week in moderate intensity sport and active recreation for at least 30 minutes continuously in any one session) varies:

• Males 24%
• Females 19%
• 16 to 24 years – 33%
• 35 to 44 years – 25%
• 55 to 64 years – 16%
• 75 to 84 years – 6%.

One-quarter of the adult population are members of a club where they take part in sport – an increase from 17% in 2002. Eighteen percent of adults have received tuition from an instructor or coach over the last 12 months – an increase from 11% in 1996 and 16% in 2002; whilst 15% of adults have taken part in organized, competitive sport in the last 12 months – an increase from 12% in 2002.

Nearly 5% of the adult population contribute at least one hour a week volunteering to sport, equating to over 54,000 full time equivalent jobs; and another 2.7 million people put some voluntary time into sport.

Sport and fitness in the Services

Sport is a very tough area to break into in any capacity and it takes talent, hard work and some luck to succeed. Loss of form or injury can bring a career to a premature end so participants should also be ready for early retirement. Service courses on coaching and officiating can lead to recognised civilian qualifications.

Each Service has its PT instructors, although each operates very differently in this field. Military PTI class 1, 2 and 3 (and the All Arms PTI) certificates qualify holders to join the Register of Exercise Professionals, and there is growing formal recognition for military qualifications by civilian authorities. Vocational qualifications and assessor and verifier units are being introduced, with job analysis to enhance accreditation. The sector will generally accept relevant Service training and experience, but individuals must be prepared to take additional courses or assessment to reach official standards.

The situation is similar in outdoor education and development. The various regulatory bodies only accept civilian qualifications so Armed Forces’ adventurous training instructors will have to ensure that they meet civilian standards if they wish to continue in this area on leaving the Services.

Qualifications and training

There are many different qualifications that help with a career in sport and fitness. Technical ability is critical, as are skills like effective communication, customer care, teamwork and interpersonal experience.

Many sport and recreation related graduate and post-graduate qualifications allow people to teach PE in schools. Some are part-time or taken through distance learning, so they are suitable for people already in employment. Higher National Diplomas and Certificates also prepare people for management jobs, although expertise in a particular sport or area of fitness is also required.

Some FE colleges offer specialist qualifications and the National Coaching Foundation (sports coach UK) works with the various sport National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to provide personal development programmes for all sports coaches.

There are sport and recreation National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (N/SVQs):

· At Level 1 there is only one qualification, active leisure and learning, which is an introduction to the sector and a pathway into the specific qualifications at Level 2

· At Level 2, the eight options are activity leadership; coaching, teaching, instructing (a specific approved sport or activity); instructing exercise and fitness; playwork; spectator control; operational services; sport and play installations; and mechanical ride operations.

· At Level 3, the six options are outdoor education; development training and recreation; coaching, teaching, instructing; playwork; spectator control; operations and development; and spectator control.

Individuals are assessed in a number of competencies in the workplace, with most qualifications requiring six mandatory units and four optional ones. To gain them, individuals will need a portfolio of skills and responsibilities. Many people start by gaining a qualification like a NGB coaching or fitness instruction award and then work to gain the necessary experience.

In the exercise and fitness industry, physical education teachers will have a teaching degree or a post-graduate qualification in PE. The Register of Exercise Professionals (Fitness Register) is a system of self-regulation for everyone involved with exercise and fitness. It creates a framework allowing people to achieve recognised standards linked to industry best practice. Qualifications and training are nationally recognised and linked to National Occupational Standards. Register members will carry a card to show that they:

• have the proper qualifications
• are competent
• carry out their own continuing professional development
• are properly insured
• obey an industry code of practice.

Categories of registration are closely aligned with vocational qualification standards:

Level 1 – Assistant Instructor who requires no qualification, as they are fully supervised by a qualified member of staff. There is a Level 1 NVQ, and certificate in assistant fitness instruction, and entry is also recognised through an apprenticeship

Level 2 Instructor – routes for entry by qualification:

· achieving an NVQ/SVQ

· achieving a Related Vocational Qualification (RVQ) based on the National Occupational Standards and delivered by training providers

· holding a military PTI class 3 certificate, or the Army All Arms PTI certificate

· achieving some industry awards.

Level 3 Advanced Instructor – routes for entry by qualification:

· achieving a level 3 NVQ/SVQ

· achieving a RVQ based on the National Occupational Standards and delivered by training providers

· holding a military PTI class 1 or 2 certificate

· achieving some industry awards.

Level 4 qualifications have now been developed for specialist instructors in:

· coronary heart disease

· mental health

· obesity/diabetes

· frailer older adults/falls prevention

· after stroke care

· back pain.

· military unit – accelerated rehabilitation

· club/centre managers (holding an approved management qualification).

Coaching, teaching and instructing

Most coaching is voluntary, with a growing trend towards part-time or freelance employment. Work is available as a voluntary coach within sports clubs, or part-time session coach in leisure centres. Many coaches work freelance for a number of organisations, but most have other jobs as well. Coaching may also form part of a full-time job role in the industry like a sports development officer or outdoor instructor. Coaches need an appropriate qualification from a sport NGB, and many of the personal qualities of the coach are ‘people skills’.

The outdoors

There are many organisations providing all age groups with a range of sporting, physical and development activities like walking, climbing and caving, or just enjoying their surroundings. Instructors must hold a recognised award from the relevant NGB. Expedition companies usually have a small head office staff who organise and market the activities, and a number of freelance leaders and guides who manage things in the field. Service experience is relevant in this area, and it is common to start as a contracted expedition manager before joining a company in a regular capacity.

Facility management

Sport, recreation and leisure centres catering for a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports exist throughout the UK. Employment varies from receptionists, lifeguards, coaches/instructors, supervisers, booking managers, plant technicians to centre managers. Most people start in this area by obtaining coaching or lifeguard awards and gaining experience, before entering management.

Stadia and arena

Stadia and arena facilities cater for a range of sporting, entertainment or leisure events. Most employment in this area tends to be part-time, working on event days. Like facility management a number of different jobs exist including managers and administrators, groundsmen, stewards and ticket/booking operators.

Sports development

Most local authorities and governing bodies have sports development teams that provide sport and recreation on an outreach basis, taking it into rural and urban communities. Experience in voluntary sport coaching and administration or strategic leisure management is relevant. Specific sports development qualifications and courses exist at certificate and diploma levels; however coaching awards are usually sufficient.

Salaries

The sport and fitness sector is not particularly well paid, starting with the minimum wage. Thereafter:

• general manager: £21,000
• gym manager: £14,000
• fitness instructor: £12,000
• receptionist: £11,000.

Information sources:

Department for Culture Media & Sport, 2-4 Cockspur Street, London, SW1Y 5DH Tel: 020 7211 6200 Website: www.culture.gov.uk

UK Sport, 40 Bernard Street, London, WC1N 1ST, Tel: 020 7211 5100 Website: www.uksport.gov.uk

Sport England, 3rd Floor Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London, WC1B 4SE Tel: 020 7273 1551 Website: www.sportengland.org

sportscotland, Caledonia House, South Gyle, Edinburgh, EH12 9DQ Tel: 0131 317 7200 Website: www.sportscotland.org.uk

Sports Council for Wales, SophiaGardens, Cardiff, CF11 9SW Tel: 0845 045 0904 Website: www.sports-council-wales.co.uk

Sport Northern Ireland, House of Sport, 2a Upper Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5LA Tel: 02890 381222 Website: www.sportni.net

SkillsActive, Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning, Castlewood House, 77-91 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1PX, Tel: 020 7632 2000 Website: www.skillsactive.com

Sportscoach UK, 114 Cardigan Road, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3BJ Tel: 011 3274 4802 Website: www.sportscoachuk.org

Register of Exercise Professionals, 8-10 Crown Hill, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 1RZ Tel: 020 8686 6464 Website: www.exerciseregister.org