Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Developing Objectives and Strategies Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
•   Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Working Life

Sports professionals are people who earn money from playing sport in front of an audience. There are a wide variety of sports that can be played at a professional level, ranging from snooker and horse racing to rugby league and golf.  
 
For the majority of people the amount of money they earn from their sport is not enough to live on. They must combine their sporting activities with a paid job.  
 
Sports professionals spend most of their time practising the skills of their chosen sport. This skills training is combined with fitness training in order to improve performance. Most have coaches who teach them new skills, help them improve existing skills and keep them motivated.  
 
Professionals who play a team sport practise their skills with other team members. Sport professionals have to train regularly and have to follow strict advice about diet and lifestyle.  
 
Skill and fitness training have to be undertaken in the lead up to participation in matches or competitions. These may be just one match or race, as in league football, or a tournament made up of a series of matches. Successful competitors who win their matches may play several times over a period of days or weeks.  
 
After some time off to recover, sports professionals return to their training regime. Some sports are not played all year round, so sports professionals may have time off out of season.  
 
Top level sportspeople are often paid by companies to promote their products. This may involve some discussion with company representatives, possibly via a promoter or manager who looks after the sportsperson's interests. It may also be necessary to appear in publicity shots or adverts and give interviews to television and radio stations.  
 
 
Most sports professionals spend a considerable amount of time travelling to competitions. Some sports, for example, tennis, require players to spend most of the year travelling from one competition to the next, nationally and internationally.  
 
In several of the more physical or contact sports, the average career may be only 10-15 years. Many professionals have finished their playing careers by the time they are in their late twenties and early thirties. Some go on to opportunities in coaching, management or broadcasting.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
• Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
• Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
• Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
• Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
• Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
• Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
• Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
• Lead teams by serving as captain.

Further Information

• Footballer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Golf Professional- from: YouTube [UK]
• Sports Professional- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Sportsperson- from: GradIreland

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

 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.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

The usual route of entry is to participate in junior leagues or amateur tournaments where talents can be displayed. Players of outstanding potential are seldom overlooked and may well be approached by talent scouts to attend a trial, or by coaches who wish to develop their potential further. Certain sports such as football, cricket and golf, offer Traineeship / Apprenticeships (sometimes through government funded training programmes) to aspiring professionals. Other sports such as tennis, boxing and snooker, tend to offer immediate professional status to outstanding amateurs.  

A degree or an equivalent qualification may be useful when embarking on this career. Sports professional careers can be short lived. Training in a related discipline such as sport studies or sport and exercise science will be useful if you are interested in staying in this field later in your career. Many universities offer scholarships to those with outstanding sporting abilities.

Sports can be developed as part of a portfolio career, in tandem with other life & education skill development. Athletes build towards performance peak readiness alongside life and developmental skills in their career.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: equestrian international instructor, BHSAI, sports recreation and exercise, outdoor activity instructor, surf instructor, beach lifeguard, groupwork, facilitation.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: personal trainer with sports massage, soccer coaching, sports psychology, pre-university sport science, sport and recreation, sport coaching, exercise studies, sports coaching, fitness instructor, sports nutrition, sports massage therapies.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: caching and sports performance, sport and exercise, inclusive sport and physical activity, sport, business and coaching, sports development and coaching, sports science and health, sports studies.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sports and exercise, sports, exercise nutrition, sports coaching, performance, sports physiotherapy, coaching science in sport, strength and conditioning.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Sport Ireland

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €100k

Pay rates for sports professionals vary widely depending on the sport, and the level played. Levels from semi pro, in portfolio career to full time athletes and sportspeople. Pay can be related to endorsements, appearances, and performance.

Data Source(s):
CareersPortal

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Leisure and sports managers; Sports players Sports coaches; instructors and officials; Fitness instructors.

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.

• Ireland Active

  • Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
  • 01-6251192
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Sport Ireland

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

• Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

  • Head Office, 44 Kildare St, Dublin 2
  • LoCall 0761 001 601 (+ 353 1 670 7444 outside Ireland)
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here