ADD ADVICE TO FAVSports development officer
Sports development officers encourage and promote the use of sports facilities by local communities. They may be responsible for increasing participation in one particular sport.
What sports development officers do
- give talks to clubs and community groups
- set up trial sessions to encourage people to sample sports
- run some sporting activities themselves
- encourage people to start up and run their own sports sessions
- support and advise local clubs
- give financial help or subsidies towards start-up costs
- may target certain groups, such as retired or unemployed people
- may be employed by specialist organisations, for example to promote sport for deaf people.
Key skills for sports development officers
- leadership
- organisational skills
- ability to work in a team
- verbal communication skills
- ability to motivate other people
- knowledge of a wide range of sports
- ability to manage a budget.
Training to be a sports development officer
Training is on the job, in the post of assistant sports development officer.
Criminal Records Bureau checks and first aid are usually required.
Salaries for sports development officers
Graduates in assistant posts earn £13,000 to £14,000. Sports development officers earn from £20,000 to over £40,000.
