Do you have a wild passion for sport?  Do and see yourself with a career in the sporting arena?

Sport Advancement Officers aim to provide opportunities for participation in sport for all sections of the community.

They distribute information and organise sport-related projects, classes, programmes, coaching, club development and training for those who want to participate for fun and those who are interested in competition.

A Sport Advancement Officer will plan, promote and regulate sport and recreational activities and make contact with other sport organizations in order to co-ordinate such activities.

A Sport Advancement Officer attends sporting tournaments, training courses and meetings where the administrative aspects of sport events are dealt with.

What does a Sport Advancement Officer do?

• meeting with various sports administrators
• attending various sporting events/tournaments and training courses
• promoting sporting events, coaching and recreational activities
• visiting various clubs and building relationships with club officials
• distributing various forms of information (brochures, posters etc) to promote sports
• organising various sporting events
• organising coaching sessions for trainers and leaders in sport and recreation
• assisting with the planning and designing of sport and recreation facilities 
• participating in conflict resolution between sport organsations or sportspersons

Are you … ?

• passionate about sports?
• a peoples’ person?
• a great organiser?
• a good negotiator?
• persuasive?
• a good marketer?
• enthusiastic?

How do I become a Sport Advancement Officer?

A 3 year National Diploma in Sports  Administration and Marketing or similar would be extremely beneficial.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Sports Agent or Referee

Is becoming a Sport Advancement Officer the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

Scuba Diving Instructors are Divemasters who teach recreational diving and train those who want certification.

They can work in a variety of settings such as accredited dive centres, resorts and on cruise ships.

To become a Diving Instructor, you should be a regular open water diver and have taken basic and/or advanced diving courses. 

These courses will require you to complete numerous open water speciality dives:

• deep diving
• navigation
• first aid training
• emergency first responder training
• dive boat operation training
• instructional dive trip training, etc

You will have to pass practical exams to become a certified Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI).

What does a Scuba Diving Instructor do?

• cleaning and maintaining equipment
• guiding students on dive tours
• piloting and maintaining a boat
• taking bookings
• instructing students
• exercising safety precautions
• guiding students in pools and/or open water

Are you … ?

• passionate about the ocean, marine life and protecting it?
• a diver?
• an excellent swimmer?
• in good physical health?
• outgoing?
• a person who likes to teach?
• patient?
• friendly?
• able to remain calm in a crisis?

How do I become Scuba Diving Instructor or Divemaster?

For more details see under Diver on our website.

Here are just a few companies that will offer a Divemaster or Instructor’s course:

• CRUISE SUB AQUA:  (Cape Town)

http://www.diveinsouthafrica.com/courses/dive-master.html

• DIVE AFRICA

http://www.africadiver.com/Training/PADI_Dive_Instructor_Training.html 

The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor program is your final step in the quest to become a PADI Instructor.

• DOWN SOUTH SCUBA:  (Muizenberg)

Offers PADI Divemaster courses:

http://www.downsouthscuba.co.za/courses.html#Challenge

• AMANZI:  (CT, Jhb, Sodwana)

http://www.scubadivinginstructors.co.za/courses.html

• CALYPSO DIVE ADVENTURE:  (Durban)

http://www.calypsoushaka.co.za/PADI_Instructor_Course

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Marine Biologist and Professional Sportsperson

Is becoming a Scuba Diving Instructor or Divemaster the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

The job of an Aerobics Instructor is to design aerobic fitness training programmes for private clients as well as for classes. 

They must have a passion for fitness and be people orientated.

What does an Aerobics Instructor do?

• ensure client’s safety at all times
• being aware of injuries of clients and getting them to exercise accordingly
• design aerobic routines to suit client/classes
• teach in an enthusiastic/energetic manner
• instruct clients on aerobic and toning exercises
• monitor client’s progress
• dress appropriately in proper uniform /attire
• arrive 10 minutes early for all assignments
• attend weekly meetings
• have a basic knowledge of physical fitness
• collect good music to accompany exercise routines
• keep up to date with aerobic trends

Are you … ?

• people friendly?
• interested in exercise, particularly aerobics?
• a person who loves teaching?
• fit and healthy?
• punctual?
• organised?

How do I become an Aerobics Instructor?

You can do short and intensive courses to skill yourself up in aerobics and other fitness related areas.

• ETA: (Exercise, Training and Sport Academy)

Firstly before specialising, you need to complete the following 2 certificate courses:
– Exercise and Fitness Studies
– Nutrition and Weight Management 

Minimum requirements:
Grade 12 at NQF or a letter motivating for an acceptance for the course. 

Specialised courses – see here for more details:

http://www.exerciseacademy.com/specialisations.html

See also under Fitness Trainer and Personal Trainer more training details.

• COLLEGE SA

http://www.collegesa.co.za/Sports-Fitness-Studies/Sports-and-Fitness-Short-Courses/Aerobics-Step-and-Tone.html

A 6-10 month – Aerobics, Step and Tone Short Course Certificate   
Minimum requirements:  Grade 10

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Yoga Instructor and Personal Trainer

Is becoming an Aerobics Instructor the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

What is a Fitness Instructor?

As a Fitness Instructor, you would lead and organise group and individual exercise programmes to help people to improve their health and fitness.

Fitness Instructors may also give advice on healthy eating and lifestyle. They could work with specialist groups of people, such as older adults, children, people with disabilities or clients referred by doctors.

Fitness Instructors would either instruct a range of activities or specialise in a particular area such as:

• keep fit
• water aerobics
• weight training
• yoga
• Pilates

What does a Fitness Instructor do?

• carry out fitness assessments and consultations with new clients
• demonstrate routines for clients to follow
• show clients how to use exercise machines and free weights properly
• supervise clients to make sure that they are exercising safely and effectively
• lead group exercise classes such as circuit training, aerobics or spinning
• design personal exercise programmes

Are you … ?

• a people’s person?
• passionate about exercise and fitness?
• energetic, fit and strong?
• patient?
• responsible?
• punctual?
• supportive?
• self-motivated?

How do I become a Fitness Instructor?

To qualify as a Fitness Trainer/Instructor, you could either complete a nationally-recognised qualification before starting work, or start as an assistant instructor and complete work-based qualifications.

Here are some great study options:

• EXERCISE TEACHERS ACADEMY (ETA):  (Countrywide)

Offers many different courses: 

www.etasa.co.za

Minimum requirements:
NSC (National Senior Certificate) or equivalent.  

Should the applicant not meet the minimum admission criteria; they may be referred for tests, at their own expense. These could include tests for aptitude, literacy, numeracy, reasoning skills and or studying skills.

• HEALTH AND FITNESS PROFESSIONAL ACADEMY (HFPA): (Gauteng)

www.hfpa.co.za  

Offers both full and part-time courses

• INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF KINESIS (ICK): (Johannesburg)

http://www.collegeofkinesis.com/studydirection.asp

Minimum requirements:
National Senior Certificate or Senior Certificate (Matric) or NQF Level 4 equivalent

• Good health and reasonable level of fitness
• Current fitness participation strongly recommended
• Current health club or gym membership required

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Yoga Instructor and Sports Coach

Is becoming a Fitness Instructor the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

OFO No:

What is a Personal Trainer?

A Personal Trainer is qualified to coach others to achieve a desired level of fitness.  They usually work on a one-to-one basis or with small, more personal groups.

What does a Personal Trainer do?

• meets with client to discuss their needs
• thoroughly examines client’s lifestyle with regard to exercise and eating plan
• works out a safe fitness program that is specific to that client
• continually encourages and motivates client to continue
• works out and supplies client with a nutritional plan
• keeps a logbook of clients’ exercise and eating programs

Are you … ?

• a people’s person?
• passionate about fitness and clients’ wellbeing?
• analytical?
• patient?
• self- motivator?
• responsible?
• nurturing?
• a good listener?
• fit and healthy?

How do I become a Personal Trainer?

Interested in becoming a Personal Trainer? 

For instance:  To become a Virgin Active Personal Trainer, you need a suitable Personal Training Qualification, achieved from a SAQA accredited Training Institution.

http://www.virginactive.co.za/pt_how_to_become

Here are a few institutions that provide training to become a Personal Trainer:

• ETA (EXERCISE TEACHERS ACADEMY):  (Countrywide)

http://www.etacollege.com/

• HFPA (HEALTH AND FITNESS PROFESSIONAL ACADEMY):  (Gauteng)

http://www.hfpa.co.za

• IFP (INTERNATIONAL FITNESS PROFESSIONALS):  (Sandton)

 http://www.fitpro.co.za

• IIFT (INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FITNESS TRAINERS):  (Pretoria)

http://www.iift.co.za/

• ICK (INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF KINESIS):  (Johannesburg)

http://www.collegeofkinesis.com 

• TRIFOCUS FITNESS ACADEMY:  (Countrywide)

http://www.trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za

Minimum requirements – check with your institution of choice for theirs.

• Senior Certificate (Matric) or NQF Level 4 equivalent
• Good health and reasonable level of fitness
• Current fitness participation strongly recommended
• Current health club or gym membership required
• Keen interest in a career in fitness and exercise

If you continue to study and specialise in certain areas like Pilates, sports injuries, weight gain and weight loss etc there are even more opportunities available to you.

You can consider consulting, writing fitness articles for magazines etc, fitness instruction or even opening your own gym.

Whatever you choose, you’ll find that being a Personal Trainer provides everything you love in a job.  It’s extremely rewarding.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Sports Coach and Sports Agent

Is becoming a Personal Trainer the right career choice for me? 

17-02-2015 – Posted on Facebook

Does a career in the sporting world interest you?  Would you prefer to be behind the scenes?  Why not consider a career as a Sports Agent? 

The main function of a Sports Agent is to recruit sportsmen and women and be responsible for negotiating their contracts.

The Sports Agent ensures that all his sportsmen/women have regular game time with the clubs they are contracted to and that both parties uphold their contractual duties.

The Sports Agent is also responsible for finding sponsorships for their sportspersons from sport gear to energy drink companies etc. This ensures the possibility of earning extra.  In some cases, this could run into millions!

Agents can be employed by sports clubs, sports teams or be self-employed and work for individual sportsmen/women.

What does a Sports Agent do?

• finding suitable job opportunities for the people they are representing
• analysing contracts to determine if there are any risks involved
• negotiating contracts for the athletes, the higher the fee, the more the agent will earn
• attending meetings with personnel, coaches, management and players
• keeping up to date with sports trends
• writing up invoices and collecting fees
• traveling to games
• meeting and representing more players/athletes

Are you … ?

• a people’s person?
• passionate about sport?
• a keen business person?
• observant?
• methodical?
• a good negotiator?
• confident?
• a good communicator?
• good at reading and writing?
• computer literate?

How do I become a Sports Agent?

• ETA

National Diploma in Sport Management

Minimum requirements:
A Matric Certificate; OR
An NQF 4 Level Qualification; OR
You can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

National Certificate: Sport Management – NQF Level 5

http://fitnesscollege.co.za/?page_id=277

Minimum requirements:
A Matric Certificate; OR
An NQF 4 Level Qualification; OR
You can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

• CPUT:  Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Offers a 3 year National Diploma: Sport Management

http://info.cput.ac.za/prospectus_3/qual_new.php?q=111&f=1

• COLLEGE SA

Offers a Sports Management: Certificate (120 NQF Credits)

http://www.learninggroup.co.za/courses/sports-studies/item/sports-management-certificate120-nqf-credits

Minimum requirements:  Grade 12

Offers a National Diploma: Sport Management (Level 5)

http://www.learninggroup.co.za/courses/sports-studies/item/sports-management-certificate120-nqf-credits-2

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Referee and Sports Coach

Is becoming a Sports Agent the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

A Snowboard / Ski Instructor usually work for ski resorts in Europe, USA and some parts of South America.  In South Africa, we only have one resort, Tiffindell, in Kwa Zulu Natal and two ski schools: Ski School of South Africa, in Midrand, and The Ski Deck in Randburg, all of which may employ you as an Instructor.

Snowboard / Ski Instructors are passionate about snow and snow-related sports such as skiing and snowboarding. 

They spend hours on the slopes of snow covered mountains teaching others (individually or in groups) to enjoy the sports as well as honing their own skills on their time-off.

Snowboard / Ski Instructors teach children as well as adults.

Their main responsibility is to make sure that holiday makers are thoroughly enjoying their skiing vacation.

Being a Snowboard / Ski Instructor can be extremely rewarding however, snow is seasonal and an Instructor must either follow the snow from one country to another, or find different work during the summer season.

What does a Snowboard / Ski Instructor do?

• being responsible at all times
• being aware of the weather conditions, predicting weather patters
• giving various teaching classes throughout the day
• maintaining positive enthusiasm
• encouraging participants
• making sure holiday makers are having the time-of-their-lives!

Are you … ?

• adventurous?
• outgoing?
• fit and healthy?
• patient?
• a peoples’ person?
• a person who enjoys teaching?
• able to work outdoors for long hours at a time?

How do I become a Snowboard / Ski Instructor?

First of all you must be a really good snowboarder or skier yourself.  Once you are, you may approach a ski resort or ski school for an Snowboard / Ski Instructor position. Any training you need will be given to you on-the-job.

If you are planning to be an Instructor overseas, there are numerous Snowboard and Ski Instructor training courses in Europe and USA you could do.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Sports Coach, Hotel Manager and Amusement Centre Manager

Is becoming a Snowboard / Ski Instructor the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

Sports Instructors usually work with children within a community or at a school.  Their main focus is helping children gain sporting skills that will lead them into a professional career in a particular sport.

What does a Sports Instructor do?

• training learners various sporting activities
• teaching participant how to handle victory as well as defeat
• creating team spirit
• instilling discipline and teaching learners to control their emotions
• building self-esteem and camaraderie within the team
• giving private one-to-one lessons as well as group tuition
• accompanying children on away matches/tournaments
• keeping up to date records on the learners, their achievements and improvements
• monitoring the learners’ progress and potential

Are you … ?

• passionate about sport?
• good with children?
• a person who is a good teacher?
• patient?
• confident?
• observant?
• enthusiastic?
• responsible?

How do I become Sports Instructor?

In some cases, if you are really good at sport yourself, you may get a job training children in a school, club or community centre.

If you cannot, at first, get a job as a Sports Instructor, you could become a volunteer first at one of these places.  This will also give you a good feel if you want to continue this line for a career.

Another way of approaching this career is to become a Sports Coach.  Obviously the more credentials (skills and training) you have, the easier it will be to find a relevant job.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Caddy, Sports Coach and Special Needs Teacher

Is becoming Sports Instructor the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

Yoga is a Hindu method which includes various exercises, breathing sequences and meditation. It is beneficial to one’s well-being and is an aid to enlightenment.

Yoga is often practiced in the West as an extension to healthy living.

A Yoga Instructor, therefore, teaches these methods so that participants can reap the benefits and enjoy a feeling of healthy living, well-being and in some cases, spiritual enlightenment.

Some Yoga Instructors give classes while others may give private, one-to-one tuition. 

There are many different forms of yoga – here are just a few examples:

• Ananda Yoga :  focuses on proper body alignment and controlled breathing
• Ashtanga Yoga :  producing intense heat and sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs
• Hatha Yoga :  one of the more popular varieties – a series of slow and control exercises
• Iyengar Yoga :  breathing & long poses – strength, flexibility, endurance and balance

What does a Yoga Instructor do?

• preparing a yoga routine specific for your classes
• preparing yoga room before class arrives
• assisting  students with poses
• making sure students do the pose correctly to prevent injury
• helping some students focus on specific muscles
• modifying exercises for students who have medical conditions
• providing conditioning advice

Are you … ?

• interested in yoga?
• a people’s person?
• interested in others’ well-being?
• caring?
• patient?
• observant?
• methodical?

How do I become a Yoga Instructor?

• THE SATYAM SCHOOL OF YOGA:  (Gauteng)

http://www.yoga.co.za/teacher-training

Offers an Intensive Teachers Training Course

• ANANDA SANGA EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE (ASEI):  (Stellenbosch)

http://www.yogatraining.co.za/training.htm

Offers courses in:

Level 1:  Yoga Teaching Training
Level 2:  Advanced Yoga Teaching Training

• TRIFOCUS FITNESS ACADEMY: (Johannesburg)

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Personal Trainer and Dancer

Is becoming a Yoga Instructor the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

A Sports Coach is a person who through, instruction, direction and training, enables and assists an athlete or team to achieve levels of performance that they may not have achieved, if left on their own.

Sports Coaches work with all levels of players from school children through to professional players and professional teams.

What does a Sports Coach do?

• monitoring players’ performance in training and in competition
• advising players on the training
• helping players with emotional issues
• finding suitable competitions/matches for players to enter
• keeping up to date with current training techniques
• constantly researching and learning about sports, diets, nutrition, injuries, exercises etc
• ensuring players are safe at all times, especially when traveling
• designing training programmes
• being your players biggest ‘fan’ to motivate and instil confidence

Are you … ?

• passionate about sport?
• interested in sharing your knowledge of the game with others?
• patient?
• a good motivator?
• a person with good communication skills?
• a people’s person
• a good listener?
• confident?
• positive and enthusiastic?
• self-motivated?
• a role model?
• willing to travel?

How do I become a Sports Coach?

If you are passionate about becoming a Sports Coach – the first way to get involved and get some experience is to volunteer as an assistant coach at your school or in your local community. 

Here you will get to learn the ins and outs of the game, the rules and regulations as well as building up a report with the players and building your own confidence.

• BUNAC:  (Port Elizabeth)

http://www.bunac.org/volunteer/sportscoaching/ 

A volunteer programme to coach various sports to under privileged children.

Here are some colleges etc where you can study Sports Coaching:

• MPUMALANGA ACADEMY OF SPORT

http://www.mpacademy.co.za/PROG Education.htm

Offers a Skills programme for Sport Coaches (105 credits at NQF level 5)
Offers a Skills Programme for Sport Leaders/Organisers (38 credits at NQF level 4)

• COLLEGE SA

http://www.collegesa.co.za/Sports-Fitness-Studies/Sports-and-Fitness-Short-Courses/Soccer-Coaching.html?gclid=CN_-6tvnk7ECFcYmtAodG0R2kg

Offers a 6-10 month Soccer Coaching Short Course Certificate
Minimum requirements:  Grade 10

• ETA

Offers a Certificate in Coaching Science (NQF level 5, 120 credits, 1 year course)
Offers a Diploma in Coaching Science (NQF – Level 5, 2 Year Learning Programme, Full Time, Part Time or Correspondence)

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Snowboard/Ski Instructor or Caddy

Is becoming a Sport Coach the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.