Graduate Sports & Recreation jobs & schemes 2025

Sports & Recreation is a broad sector which offers graduates opportunities to pursue many different fields, from the promotion of sports initiatives to business roles with a sporting focus. As a sector, it often uses volunteers as part of its workforce, so paid positions may be difficult to find, and salaries may start at the lower end of the pay scale, but graduates passionate about sport will find opportunities. Sport and recreational activities can often help disadvantaged and disabled people, and successful candidates can expect an exciting and rewarding career.

How to Get a Job in Sports & Recreation

Sports & Recreation is a popular sector, so graduates should do everything they can to make their application stand out.

Candidates should display the following:

1. Interest in sport

Jobs in Sports & Recreation often require specialised knowledge in a sport or a specific aspect of sport. Candidates need to display a passionate interest, which may encompass expert knowledge, personal technique or a deep involvement in the field.

Employers want to see passion in their applicants, so graduates should take care to demonstrate any past experience spent pursuing their interest, such as time spent training or as part of a sports team, or representing their university in a sport or recreational activity.

2. Qualifications or Experience

Some Sports & Recreation positions will require candidates to have certain qualifications or experience. This can include FA Coaching Badges, life guarding certification or evidence of a long-term commitment to a sport or recreational activity. If a graduate can demonstrate any of the above, it is an excellent way to make their application stand out.

3. PR skills

Some roles in this sector involve promotion and publicity to bring attention to initiatives or programmes. Candidates may join teams promoting new sports or government initiatives for children and young people. Applicants must be confident and dynamic, and familiar with using social media, press releases and public events for promotion.

Graduates applying for these types of positions should provide examples of their skills, which could include involvement in student society fundraisers or socials, or other relevant experience.

4. Experience working with children

Many Sports & Recreation roles, such as coaching and tutoring, involve working closely with children. Any previous experience working with young people is an asset.

5. Business sense

This sector sees many openings for business function roles. These positions are important to ensure the sport in question is sustainable, and may include roles managing events for a large golf club, handling sales at a football club or retail management in a sports shop. Graduates should highlight any part-time work which may be relevant to the position.

Many of the organisations in the Sports & Recreation sector are also charities. Candidates should bear this in mind, and should familiarise themselves with how these types of organisations are run.