Several trends are affecting sports in Ireland; these include an increasingly professional attitude, the development of scientific approaches to fitness and growing demand for applying modern management principles to sports organisations.

Sports administrators keep the sports industry running smoothly, from working with athletes to sign contracts to developing marking strategies for sports organisations. Sports administrators are responsible for carrying out administrative tasks across a wide range of functions within sports clubs and organisations.

Opportunities to work as a sports administrator are available in sports clubs (amateur and professional), sports academies and schools, sports administration and governance bodies, health facilities, sports charities and not-for-profit organisations and community centres.

Being a good candidate for a sports administration job requires more than just a love of the game, you need to be business-minded and meticulous. The best sports administrators understand the ins and outs of the sport. 

Evening, weekend and holiday work is common in this career. Travelling around is also likely to be required on a frequent basis.

Professional roles in sport can include running national sporting organisations, sports development and maintaining facilities. There are a variety of routes into these roles but generally deep involvement in the relevant sport as a volunteer or player is an important part. 

Prior experience of organising sporting events, administrative work and sports activities can be helpful, especially given that there is likely to be intense competition for a limited amount of jobs.