The sports industry is vast. Many people enjoy watching sports as a part of recreational activities and support their favorite team. According to the market analysis by The Business Research Company, the sports market grew from $354.96 billion in 2021 to $496.52 billion in 2022, at a CAGR of 39.9%.
Hence, it can be tempting to be a part of this industry. However, there can be only a limited number of athletes. So how do you be a part of the sports industry?
When you think of the sports industry, it’s easy to imagine jocks and gym rats. But there are plenty of jobs that don’t require being an athlete. Many of them don’t even require any physical activity at all! Here’s a list of some non-athlete careers that can put you in the sports world without making you break a sweat.
Sports Psychologist
Many people think that since athletes are strong physically, the same might be the case with their mental health. But on the contrary, athletes face many challenges, making them vulnerable to mental health disorders.
A study was conducted and published in the ScienceDirect journal that analyzed the prevalence of mental health disorder symptoms among elite Canadian athletes. The study concluded that 41.4% of participant athletes faced one or more mental health disorders, ranging from depression to anxiety.
A sports psychologist is someone who helps athletes and coaches to improve their performance and mental health. They usually work with the athletes’ coaches, but sometimes they also provide therapies for individual players.
Sports psychologists have degrees in psychology, exercise science, or physical education. They need at least a master’s degree in their field of study before they can begin working as a sports psychologist.
A sports psychologist will often help athletes deal with any issues affecting their performance, such as anxiety or depression. They will also help them understand how their mind works and how this affects their relationship with other people both on and off the field, depending on what sport they play!
Nutritionist
Nutritionists are experts who help people improve their eating habits. They may work as doctors or have their private practice. Since athletes need to maintain their physical strength, they rely heavily on a healthy diet, and nutritionists can help them with that. They can help the athletes create a diet tailored to their physical requirements and help them maintain good health.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the dietician and nutritionist space is expected to increase by 7% annually between 2021 and 2031. Compared to the average occupational growth, this is a good enough growth.
Becoming a nutritionist requires some education. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, at least. But if you’re already working in the field or have experience, you can get certified through programs like those from the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA). The certification process takes time and money, but it can be worth it if you want to build your career out of this job!
Athlete Kinesiologist
A kinesiologist is a health and wellness professional who works with athletes to ensure they stay in top physical condition. Kinesiologists often work for teams, but many are independent trainers with individual athletes.
The job of a kinesiologist is to help their clients stay healthy enough to perform at their best, whether they’re trying out for college or already established athletes looking to improve their skills. Their responsibilities include:
- Training players so they’ll be prepared physically and mentally for games, practices, competitions, and other events.
- Working with coaches on training plans will help each athlete achieve his or her goals, whether simply reaching the next level of play or winning the championship game!
You can become a kinesiologist by getting a bachelor’s degree from a reputed university. If you don’t have the time to go for an on-campus degree, you can also opt for an online degree. Many universities offer online kinesiology degrees and can help you get the right education for a successful career. You can look for an online bachelor degree in kinesiology and opt for the one that suits your requirements. However, do ample research before selecting a particular degree program.
Community Liaison
A community liaison works with a sports organization to help the community. It can be a part-time or full-time job, and it may be paid or volunteer. The liaison’s role is to reach out to the community, whether partnering with local charities, helping build relationships with key stakeholders such as schools and politicians, or acting as an ambassador for the team.
Many people are surprised when they find out that this position exists. After all, how could you possibly need someone who specializes in building ties between your sports team and its surrounding neighborhood? But in reality, this role is vital for many organizations, and it can also serve as an excellent opportunity for young people looking for their first job within the industry.
Sports Coordinator
Sports Coordinators coordinate various sports events and activities, including recruiting athletes and planning the day-to-day operations. A sports coordinator may also manage budgets, sponsorships, and event marketing to increase attendance.
The work is often very hands-on. Coordinators must plan events from start to finish, including communicating with coaches and players about scheduling changes or any other issues during the season.
They must also ensure that all participants are provided with proper equipment and facilities and ensure everything runs smoothly on game day itself. This includes ensuring everything is set up correctly before kickoff and ensuring enough water bottles available for both teams between quarters or halves of playtime if needed.
A sports coordinator can earn a good income. According to Zippia, the average salary of a sports coordinator is $42,562 annually. However, the salary can range anywhere between $25,000 to $70,000, depending on various factors.
Conclusion
We hope this has given you some ideas about getting into the sports industry. It can be a challenging field to break into if you don’t have any experience in it, but with these tips, we hope they will make your journey easier.
There are many other professions, like umpire, coach, or broadcast technician. Remember that there are many other opportunities outside of being an athlete, and even if none of them fit your goals, it doesn’t mean there isn’t another way for us all!
