Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

The Work

Sports coaches and instructors teach, encourage and pass on the skills and techniques of a sport, or several sports, to a wide range of people from beginners to experts. In professional sport, the coach needs to be as committed as the sportsperson.  
 
Coaches devise tailored training programmes for individual sportspeople to bring them to peak performance at the right time. Where they coach a team, they try to bind the members into a strong playing unit.  
 
Coaches/instructors use a range of training aids, including television and video. They work closely with the manager to select team members for a particular match or competition.  
 
Coaches must know the rules and regulations of the sport's governing body and make sure that players are aware of them.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
• Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
• Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
• Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
• Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.
• Clean and sanitise athletic training rooms.
• Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, or community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.
• Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.
• Collaborate with physicians to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries.
• Travel with athletic teams to be available at sporting events.

Further Information

• Sports Coach / Instructor - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Sports Coach / Instructor - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Sports Coach / Instructor - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Sports Coach / Instructor - from: YouTube [UK]
• Sports Coach / Instructor - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

To gain entry to this career you usually have to gain qualifications from the National Governing Body (NGB) of your sport. Many NGBs run a programme of training through the National Coaching Development Programme, supported by the National Coaching and Training Centre (NCTC) Sport Ireland.  

The programme includes four levels, which provides education and recognition for coaches from introductory to international level. The structure has taken account of developments within the European Union concerning the mutual recognition of qualifications and the free movement of labour.  Further Career opportunities are available to view on Jobs in Sport. 
 
Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Sports & Recreation, Outdoor, Equestrian, and Surfing & Lifeguarding courses at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursesfinder

FET Centre PLC Courses: Sports Coaching NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Higher Education CAO entry: Coaching & Sports performance General: GAA, Rugby, Soccer NFQ Level 6-8 Search our CAO Coursefinder   

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €44k

Salaries Vary by employer, location, role, duties, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Excel Recruitment/ payscale

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell in this occupation between 2021 and 2022, with 6,000 fewer people employed compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment numbers were small across the individual roles included in this occupation; although the Census shows that there was some growth over the period 2016 to 2022, this was primarily related to fitness instructors.

A half of all persons employed in this occupation worked part-time, far exceeding the national average of 22%. Employment permits issued for this group related to professional sports players sports coaches/instructors. The rising cost of living is likely to have an impact on the demand for the services provided by many people working in these occupations.

An increased use of digital fitness, particularly during COVID-19, may also have an impact on future demand for these roles, along with a shift in the skills profile required (e.g. digital skills). As such, the outlook for this occupation is uncertain, with any potential employment growth dependent on the levels of consumer discretionary spending.

• Dublin City University

  • Glasnevin, Dublin 9
  • (01) 700 5000
  • Click Here

• Sport Ireland

  • Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
  • (01) 8608800
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here