How to become a Sportsperson
Professional sportspeople earn all or part of their living through participating in sporting events, either as individuals or as members of a team. Professional sportspeople usually specialise in one sport, such as Australian Rules Football, basketball, boxing, cricket, golf, netball, rugby league, soccer, swimming, tennis and many others, although some may take part in more than one.
Personal requirements for a Sportsperson
- Physically fit
- Dedicated to attaining and maintaining a high standard of skill and endurance in a particular sport
- Good communication skills for promotional work
- Willing to travel
Education & Training for a Sportsperson
You can work as a sportsperson without formal qualifications. However, a high level of expertise in your chosen sport is essential. Sportspeople in a team sport will come under the guidance of a coach whose job it is to develop and refine their skills. Individual sportspeople usually find a coach to assist them to reach elite level. Sportspeople who are still at school may elect to develop their skills by attending a specialist sports high school that combines traditional school subjects with specialist sports coaching and competition in a wide range of sports.Many sporting organisations offer traineeships to potential top-level sportspeople in specific sports. Training is also available in related areas such as coaching, sport development, refereeing/umpiring and sports administration.Sportspeople may study courses in sports-related areas such as sports science, human movement studies, physiotherapy, sports administration, sports coaching, sports journalism, physical education and sports psychology. However, such studies are not essential for employment as a professional sportsperson. Subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, so visit www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au for further details.
Additional information
National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) offer scholarships to enable elite sportspeople to live and train, sometimes in association with the Australian Sports Commission in Canberra. The Australian Sports Commission offers a range of sports programs, covering many different sports, including a limited number to athletes with disabilities. Some athletes may have the opportunity to train overseas.
Duties & Tasks of a Sportsperson
Professional sportspeople:
- Maintain a high degree of expertise in their particular sport
- Attend regular practice sessions and undertake private training to maintain the required standard of fitness
- Take part in scheduled sporting competitions
- Repair sporting equipment or organise its repair
- Undertake sports promotional activities, demonstrations and television appearances
- Coach individuals, groups and/or teams by demonstrating techniques and supervising practice.
Tasks
- Adhering to the rules and regulations associated with a specific sport
- Attending regular practice sessions and undertaking private training to maintain the required standard of fitness
- Promoting water safety awareness and undertaking rescue of persons in difficulty in the water
- Deciding on strategies in consultation with coaches
- Competing in sporting events
- Maintaining a high degree of expertise in a particular sport
- Undertaking sports promotional activities and television appearances
- Assessing other competitors and conditions at venues
Working conditions for a Sportsperson
Most sportspeople compete as amateurs (unpaid) until they reach a sufficiently high standard to be offered payment for their performance.
Employment Opportunities for a Sportsperson
In all areas of sport, the number of top professional and amateur competitors is very small compared to the number of people aspiring to compete at a professional level. Earnings from sport for professional sportspeople depend on the individual's ability and the public popularity of the sport. Depending on the sport, playing careers for sportspeople generally last no more than a few years. Accomplished sportspeople may progress to employment as coaches, trainers, administrators or media personalities after retiring from their playing careers. Others may go into business ventures relating to sport, such as marketing sporting equipment or clothing, or managing other sportspeople. Some pursue careers they have established in other areas.
Specializations
Sports Commentator
A sports commentator describes the progress of play during broadcasts of sporting events and explains the technicalities and the tactics of the sport to the audience.
Sports Development Officer
A sports development officer works for clubs, associations or state or territory sporting bodies promoting their sport or their club. They may visit schools, address pupils on the benefits of playing a particular sport or for a particular club and organise demonstrations and activities relating to the skills of the sport.
Sportsperson
Professional sportspeople earn all or part of their living through participating in sporting events, either as individuals or as members of a team. Professional sportspeople usually specialise in one sport, such as Australian Rules Football, basketball, boxing, cricket, golf, netball, rugby league, soccer, swimming, tennis and many others, although some may take part in more than one.
Average age
23 years
Future Growth
Very strong
Gender Share
25% female
Average full-time
44 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,548
Skill level rating
Medium skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
39% Full-Time
Employment Size
12,300 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 1.7%
NSW: 30.4%
NT: 1.0%
QLD: 18.9%
SA: 5.3%
TAS: 1.8%
VIC: 30.5%
WA: 10.1%
Age brackets
15-19: 19.8%
20-24: 36.5%
25-34: 22.5%
35-44: 9.3%
45-54: 6.8%
55-59: 2.7%
60-64: 1.4%
65 and Over: 0.9%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 9.9%
Bachelor degree: 10.3%
Certificate III/IV: 16%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 1.7%
Year 10 and below: 7.5%
Year 11: 6.4%
Year 12: 48.2%
