Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Athletes, coaches, instructors and officials are among the many individuals who work as amateurs or professionals in sport-related occupations. They are employed by professional team organizations, amateur sports teams, sporting commissions, organizations and leagues, community centres, universities, sports and fitness clubs, and similar facilities. They may also be self-employed.

Nature of Work

Athletes, coaches, instructors and officials are among the many individuals who work as amateurs or professionals in sport-related occupations. They are employed by professional team organizations, amateur sports teams, sporting commissions, organizations and leagues, community centres, universities, sports and fitness clubs, and similar facilities. They may also be self-employed.

Duties

Athletes participate in competitive sports events on an amateur or professional basis. They play team sports,

such as hockey, baseball, football and lacrosse, or compete in such individual sports as skiing, figure skating, boxing or track and field. Athletes are employed by professional team organizations, or they may be self-employed.

Whether they compete at the league, provincial, national or international level, most athletes spend the bulk of their time preparing for competition. They train under the direction of a coach or trainer to develop the necessary level of ability in their sport. This requires athletes to attend scheduled practice and training sessions and assess their own performance following athletic competition to identify weaknesses and strengths.

An athlete's activities depend wholly on the sport in which they participate. A wrestler, for example, will prepare for competition differently than a golfer.

Coaches prepare and train individual athletes or teams for competitive events. They are employed by national and provincial sports organizations, professional and amateur sports teams, sports clubs and universities, or they may be self-employed.

Although coaches specialize in different areas of sport, most coaches perform similar basic duties. They are responsible for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of athletes or teams; planning, developing and implementing training and practice sessions; and nurturing and developing athletes' potential skills and abilities. Coaches are also responsible for developing, planning and co-ordinating competitive schedules and programs and for motivating and preparing athletes or teams for competitive events or games. Acting alone or in conjunction with assistant coaches, they also formulate competitive strategy, develop game plans and direct athletes and players during games or athletic events. They also analyse and evaluate an athlete's or team's performance.

In addition to their regular duties, many coaches are involved in the recruitment and trading of players. They identify and recruit developing athletes for professional sports teams; observe and evaluate prospective athletes' skills and performance; review the athlete's past record; and file reports on scouting assessments and recommendations with professional team employers.

Sports officials and referees observe and enforce rules and regulations governing sporting events, athletic games and sports competitions. They are employed by national, provincial and local sporting commissions, organizations and leagues.

Some general duties in this field of work include officiating at sporting events or athletic competitions to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules are observed. Officials and referees also record lapsed time during events or competitions and judge the performance of competitors. Other officiating duties include awarding points, imposing penalties for infractions, determining results and compiling scores and other athletic records. Officials and referees may also verify the credentials of athletes or animals engaged in sports or related special events.

Program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport lead and instruct groups and individuals in recreational, sports, fitness or athletic programs. They are employed by community centres, sports and fitness clubs and similar establishments.

General duties in this field include planning and co-ordinating recreational, athletic, fitness or sports activities and assembling supplies and sports and game equipment. Program leaders and instructors also demonstrate and instruct athletic, fitness or sports activities and techniques, and they instruct groups and individuals in arts, crafts and similar activities. They are also responsible for leading groups and individuals in recreational or leisure programs; providing lifestyle awareness information; and conducting therapeutic recreational or athletic activities. Some program leaders and instructors monitor recreational or sports activities to ensure safety and to provide emergency or first aid assistance when required.

Example Titles

Athletes:

• golfer
• sprinter
• harness race driver
• figure skater
• skier
• athlete
• jockey
• track athlete
• baseball player
• boxer
• football player
• hockey player
• professional athlete

Coaches:

• gymnastics coach
• hockey coach
• national team coach
• coach
• head coach
• athletics coach
• football coach
• football scout
• hockey scout
• figure skating coach
• sports scout
• swimming coach
• volleyball coach

Sports officials and referees:

• athletic judge
• sports official
• figure skating judge
• goal judge
• umpire
• harness racing starter
• clerk-of-the-course
• linesman/woman - sports
• paddock judge
• racetrack timer
• referee

Program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport:

• aerobics instructor
• fitness instructor
• swimming instructor
• golf professional
• ski instructor
• riding instructor
• animator, recreation and sport
• recreation program leader
• fitness leader
• playground worker
• lifeguard
• ski patroller
• camp counsellor
• arts and crafts leader

Training Paths

There are innumerable ways for a person to become qualified in athletics. University of Regina offers a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education (Physical Education). They also offer a Master of Physical Activities Studies. Most athletes train for years in their chosen sport under the guidance of a coach. Success often means moving away from home--often outside Saskatchewan--to access proper equipment or facilities. There are no standardized qualifications for amateur coaches. However, most coaches are former athletes and have expertise in their chosen sport. Depending on the sport, professional coaches and instructors may be required to complete the National Coaching Certificate program. Some of the technical and theoretical components of this program are available through the Bachelor of Kinesiology degree program at University of Regina.

Many out-of-province post-secondary institutions offer coaching and referee programs. Most referees or officials must obtain certification with a sport governing agency or commission. Those seeking university education in this area can attend either Saskatchewan university. University of Saskatchewan offers a Bachelor f Science degree program in Kinesiology. University of Regina offers a Bachelor of Kinesiology and a Bachelor of Education (Physical Education). The University of Regina also offers a Master of Physical Activity Studies University of Regina/Extension offers a certificate in Physical Activity Studies (Adapted). SIAST offers a Recreation and Tourism Management diploma program.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: fair

Following several years of employment increases, the size of this occupational group changed very little between 2000 and 2005. Nevertheless, this remains a huge group in Saskatchewan. According to Statistics Canada, there were more than 3,000 Saskatchewan residents working in these occupations in 2005. And turnover within large occupations is inevitable, which translates into ongoing employment. However, job seekers need to understand a few things about these occupations before pursuing a career in athletics.

Unlike other large occupational groups, this group offers very few stable, well-paying, full-time positions. For example, jobs for athletes--the smallest occupation covered here--are almost unheard of in Saskatchewan. There were fewer than 100 professional athletes working in the province in 2006. There are far more employment opportunities in the province for coaches, officials and program leaders and instructors, but even these occupations are low-paying and mostly part time. According to Statistics Canada, only 17% of all Saskatchewan workers employed in this group worked full time in 2005. That same year, the average full-time income for these occupations was $26,900 per year, well below the provincial full-time average for all occupations the same year ($42,300 per year).

Many individuals in these groups earn considerably more or less than this average. Coaches, the highest paid professionals in this occupational group, earned as much as $74,500 in 2005. Incomes for athletes, coaches, referees and other professionals involved in sports and recreation are fairly consistent throughout the province.

Sixty percent of all athletes, coaches, referees and other professionals involved in sports and recreation in Saskatchewan were female in 2006. The same year, employment in athletics was distributed fairly evenly throughout the province; 45% of all athletes, coaches, referees and related sports and recreation professionals in the province were employed in Regina or Saskatoon in 2006. While not unheard of, self-employment is rare in these fields. Employment is moderately sensitive to overall economic conditions and can be highly seasonal.

Employment for athletes, coaches, referees and other professionals involved in sports and recreation is often affected by government funding--both federal and provincial. If cuts continue for Saskatchewan sports organizations, employment numbers could be less than expected. Conversely, increased funding to these organizations may result in higher than expected employment in these fields of work.

Professional Associations

Related Occupations

Athletes:

• Coaches (5252)
• Sports Officials and Referees (5253)
• Sports instructors (in 5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation and Sport)

Coaches:

• Athletes (5251)
• Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation and Sport (5254)
• Sports Officials and Referees (5253)
• Athletic trainers (in 3144 Other Professional Occupations in Therapy and Assessment)

Sports officials and referees:

• Coaches (5252)
• Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation and Sport (5254)

Program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport:

• Recreation and Sports Program and Service Directors (0513)
• Recreation and sports program supervisors (in 4167 Recreation and Sports Program Supervisors and
• Consultants