Sports & Recreation

The sports and recreation industry is not just about entertainment – it also plays a crucial role in the well-being of all Americans – whether you engage in competitive sport or not!

When most people think about this sector, they immediately think about competitive sports, like AFL or the Olympics – but there’s much more to it.

Sports and recreation contribute to the physical and mental well-being of different communities in a variety of ways. It’s a rewarding industry to get involved in, and the number of career pathways will probably surprise you!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 95% of American adults engaged in sport and leisure activities in 2019. Sports and physical education also play a significant role in the daily lives of young children and teenagers across America.

Most organizations within the sports and recreation industry are small to medium enterprises that work closely with the local community.

These could be:

  • Community sports and fitness centers or gyms.
  • Professional sport and fitness facilities, such as stadiums.
  • Professional athletes and competitive sports players.
  • Sports coaching groups.
  • Sports facilities management and groundskeeping.
  • Sports nutrition, therapy, and wellbeing.
  • Sporting events management.

Skilled coaches, instructors, and officials form a significant component of this sector, but there’s a wide variety of other roles too. These include sports nutritionists, sports therapists, and sports psychologists, as well as sports event management, sports administrators, and community wellbeing coordinators.

Recreational activities form an essential part of American lifestyle and culture – it’s not just about sports played on the pitch! Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, mountain-biking – these are all big sub-sectors in the industry with job roles and career paths to go with them.

Depending on the role you pursue, there’s plenty of opportunities to take your career global.

From coaching and umpiring to playing on teams or managing sporting events – these roles are typically in demand, with skilled professionals able to take their expertise anywhere they want.

Entry into the sector is as varied as the roles available, so no matter what academic pathway you choose to pursue, there’ll be an opportunity to start with a retail and customer service career.

What You Could Do

Job roles in the industry are varied. Some areas may require specialist qualifications, particularly in sports coaching, events management, and sports therapy.

There are also lots of opportunities to grow a career through entry-level positions.

Here’s a look at some of the top jobs you could pursue:

  • Sports Coach: Sports coaches usually specialize in a particular sport. The expertise required to coach a sport varies widely. It can include experience as a voluntary junior coach to an elite coach of a highly commercialised sport, such as NFL. Coaches are employed by sporting clubs and associations, government agencies, government-funded centers, holiday resorts and centers, swimming centers, health clubs, community institutions, and educational institutions (schools and universities).
  • Personal Trainer: Personal trainers are experts in fitness training and work with people to help them reach their exercise and wellness goals. Personal trainers assess bodily strengths and weaknesses and create custom workout plans based on their client’s goals. They provide physical and mental guidance and monitor progress. They also make sure clients don’t get injured while training. Personal trainers can work with individuals or in small groups. They may work for gyms and fitness centers or be self-employed.
  • Recreational Facilities Management: Recreation facility managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a recreation facility. This could be a gym or fitness center, a tennis court or sports field, or an indoor skydiving center. Common duties include managing and training staff, interacting with clients or guests of the facility, and managing repairs and general maintenance.
  • Sports Nutritionist: Sports nutritionists focus on guiding the health and nutrition of athletes. Sports nutritionists need to be able to work with athletes on increasing their stamina and endurance and educate them on post-workout recovery techniques through the foods they consume and overall dietary needs. Common career options for a sports nutritionist include working in school athletic departments, wellness centers, and competitive sports teams.
  • Sports Occupational Therapist: Sports therapists carry out assessments to evaluate injuries athletes may have got through their sport. They check the range of movement and the extent of injuries and determine whether they can return to training. Sports therapists also develop rehabilitation and treatment plans to help them to regain
  • Wellbeing Activities Coordinator: Wellbeing coordinators work within local community centers or fitness groups to provide advice and guidance to individuals within that community on wellness and health. They take the lead in planning regular activities that will suit a wide range of people, from parents with young children to teenagers, to elderly and disabled people. They work to empower community members to make informed choices about their health and provide opportunities to be active.

These job roles are only just scratching the surface!

Each industry segment will also include administrative and other support functions, including marketing, communications, human resources, and accounting.

Graduate Employment and Gender Split

A bachelor of sports science and exercise is a popular degree choice for anyone seeking to pursue a career in most sporting fields, including coaching and sports therapy.

Health services and support degrees are also helpful for those interested in pursuing a career in sports nutrition or community health and wellbeing through sport.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers tracks graduate employment across different industry sectors.

Here’s a look at some degrees that could be a great starting point for this industry:

  • Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Graduates in full-time employment: 41.5%
  • Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Graduates in employment overall: 84.6%
  • Health Professions and Related Support Graduates in full-time employment: 57.9%
  • Health Services & Support  Graduates in employment overall: 88.3%

Keep in mind that this doesn’t account for graduates working part-time and/or who may have continued to higher studies; these are promising percentages!

 

Gender Split

The gender split across the industry depends on the segment of the sector you work within, but current research indicates that it is pretty male-heavy.

This is especially true in competitive sports coaching:

  • Males: 69%
  • Females: 41%

Many sporting organizations are working to address the gender imbalance across the industry at this level.

There does tend to be a higher percentage of women in the sector in wellbeing and community-based sports or recreational roles.

Average Salary

Current surveys in the sector indicate the median salaries for full-time roles in this industry as:

  • Entry-level Sport Coach Roles: $34,800-$43,800
  • Experienced Sport Coach Roles: $87,800-$120,000
  • Recreational Facilities Manager Roles: $68,800-$87,400
  • Sports Therapist Roles: $57,800-$70,500

Salaries can be pretty varied, with lower expectations for entry-level roles. Salaries are also determined by several factors, including:

  • The segment of the industry you work within
  • Your job title and seniority.
  • The amount of experience you have.
  • Location, some rural areas may pay less than roles in main cities.

Industry Growth

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 70.7% of U.S. adults age 20 and older are categorized as obese or overweight. Changing attitudes about aging and the benefits of physical activity have helped increase participation by older adults in this market.

As a result, growth exists in many areas of the industry, including personal trainers, fitness and health trainers, nutritionists, and sports therapists.

Industry opportunities also exist to use novel approaches to realize the gains of regular physical activities. In contrast to traditional “big box” fitness centers, more clients are investigating the benefits of smaller studios and specialist health and fitness roles. These include professionals in yoga, pilates, studio classes, indoor rock climbing, and similar.

According to industry analysts at Kurt Salmon, a management consulting firm, small-box fitness studios are leading most growth in the fitness club and studio market.

Demand for sports and recreation roles is expected to stay strong in the future, so if a career in sport is appealing to you, these might be roles worth considering.

Sports and recreation have evolved considerably over the years, not least due to technological advances. This has opened up some new career areas to pursue, including sporting events management and marketing, online coaching development (including web page development and app development), and public relations and customer service roles.

Qualifications and Entry Pathways

Entry pathways are varied and will depend heavily on the type of role you want to get into.

These are the general steps to follow if you’re pursuing a career in the sports and recreation industry:

Pursue a bachelor’s degree in a related major such as:

  • Bachelor of Science in Sports Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Sports Leadership
  • Bachelor of Science in Sports Marketing & Media
  • BSc in Exercise Science

Consider a master’s degree – depending on the role you want to pursue; you may need to complete an advanced degree. It can also help to differentiate you from other candidates and improve your employment opportunities.

Obtain experience – Gain as much experience in the industry as you can through volunteering, work experience, and internships.

Pursue certifications – Many professional roles in the sports and recreation industry require you to have up-to-date training in first aid and CPR. High schools and colleges need sports coaches to be certified by a state agency, NCAA, or another organization that oversees the individual sport.

Requirements will depend on the type of role you want and the company – so make sure you research.

Whatever your circumstances, grades, or preferred way forward – there’s a qualification pathway that will work for you.

Best Places to Study

Where you choose to study will be dependent on a range of factors, but some universities are rated higher than others for specific subjects.

Here are the top-rated universities for sport, recreation and exercise studies:

  • Campbellsville University
  • Belmont Abbey College
  • Midway University
  • University of Tampa College of Natural and Health Sciences
  • Post University
  • Full Sail University
  • University of Hartford
  • Eastern Kentucky University

Want to Learn More

You can learn more about different career pathways and the sporting sector through professional bodies and organizations advocating for careers in the industry.

 

Some good places to start include:

 

And many more!

 

Each state will also have several professional organizations to help you learn more about the industry, network, and develop your career.