Careers News
Have the Olympics / Paralympics inspired you to pursue a career in Sport?
Just as we have finished a successful meet at the Tokyo Olympics and in the middle of the Paralympics, it might be timely to visit all the different careers that can be experienced in the sporting field.
Australia sent 472 athletes to the Tokyo Olympics, participating across 39 different sporting events, from Archery to Wrestling. There are so many different sporting activities people can participate in or be involved in and so many different pathways to reach the desired sporting goals. Being involved in some form of sport is also beneficial for our physical, mental and social wellbeing, whether it be as a career or for recreation.
As in all other careers, there are numerous opportunities to follow your passions, interests and abilities in the sporting arena, from being an active participant as a sportsperson and athlete to being involved with sport without ever actually participating in an event.
A sporting career can look like an individual athlete, a team participant, or a coach who guides and mentors’ sports people. As well, there are the many occupations that keep the industry going, like sports administrators, managing agents, lawyers and the sports medicine professionals, where you will find the doctor’s, surgeons and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, podiatrists, dieticians, nutritionists and sports psychologists. Then there is the media; the sports journalists, sports photographers, broadcasters and commentators, presenters and the production crew who film the action and get it to air. Let’s not forget, our personal trainers, gym support staff, instructors and managers, as well as our very important PE teachers, who teach, guide and mentor our students not only in the skills, but also developing their physical, social and emotional wellbeing so students can be their best possible selves in all parts of their lives, not just in the sporting attributes they may possess.
The avenues to reach sporting goals and careers are varied, and not necessarily requiring formal qualifications, like being part of a sporting club at a community level, through to attending specialist sporting academies. Many sporting organisations offer traineeships in specific sports. National Sporting Organisations offer scholarships to enable elite sportspeople to live and train with the Australian Sports Commission in Canberra where there is a range of sports programs.
Then there are formal qualifications; completing an undergraduate or post graduate degree in sports-related areas. Most universities offer scholarships and the opportunity to customise their study program for elite sportspeople.
There are so many ways to be involved in the sporting world, so many pathways to getting to where you want to be.
Here are some specific avenues and career pathways that may be of interest
Job opportunities including casual and part-time work:
https://www.sportspeople.com.au/
RICHMOND INSTITUTE OF SPORT
Learn to deliver holistic rehabilitation support with the Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance – Sport and Fitness.
This course, delivered in partnership with Richmond Football Club, focuses on fitness, physiotherapy, wellbeing and community health. You’ll study a mix of core subjects and electives, covering topics such as communication in health, legal and ethical compliance, medical terminology, fitness programming and rehabilitation support. Upon completion, you’ll be ready to work as an allied health assistant, in a range of health settings or go onto further study like the Diploma or Sport (Development) / Diploma of Leadership and Management.
Donna McKinlay
Careers Department
Latest DSC Career News
Vanessa Ramsay
Career Development Coordinator