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Overview of Personal Training and Sports
Working in personal training or sports is a great idea if you like staying fit, playing sports and motivating others to improve their fitness.
Jobs in this area include personal trainer, coach and official (umpire). Qualifications may not be necessary for every job in sport, because practical experience counts too.
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Studying Personal Training and Sports
Most job advertisements for personal trainers say they want a “qualified” person. This means taking a personal fitness course in the form of a Certificate III, IV or Diploma in Fitness, which teaches you how to cater fitness programs to individuals. You may also need to do a first aid course.
Coaches don’t necessarily need to have tertiary qualifications, but there are certificates and diplomas in sport (coaching) available.
Depending on the sport, there will be extra requirements. For example, swimming coaches need to be accredited with the Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association.
The Australia Sports Commission (ASC) has established the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) and recommends that all coaches join the scheme.
Like coaches, umpires also have sport-specific training pathways. Usually you start officiating in the younger leagues and move up as you gain qualifications. The ASC also has a national accreditation scheme for officials, called the NOAS.
Careers in Personal Training and Sports
Personal trainers, also called fitness instructors, usually do shift work including early mornings and late nights, fitting the sessions around their clients' needs.
According to figures from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), employment for personal trainers rose markedly in 2009 and is expected to grow very strongly to 2015.
The DEEWR also says full-time coaches and umpires earn about $740 a week (only 26% are working full-time) and projects strong job growth.
Skills needed in Personal Training and Sports
To work in personal training or sports, you need to be physically fit and have a strong interest in the particular sport you’ve chosen to coach or officiate.
More information
Sports & Fitness Training
Sports Management