In can be noted that in the 1800s and continuing through the early 1900s, sports became very organized. For example, the first organized track and field meet was held in England in 1835. In 1829, the first intercollegiate athletic competition took place, when Oxford and Cambridge Universities held a rowing match. As the popularity of sports grew and expanded, so too did employment opportunities in sports-related occupations. The increasing number and variety of professional sports teams brought a need for coaches, managers, trainers, and scouts. Similarly, high-school and college athletic programs became highly organized and sophisticated, especially during the last several decades, and many new jobs were created. In addition, sports have become one of the most popular pastimes and recreation jobs as more and more people are flocking to the gyms, health clubs, tennis courts, golf courses, and other recreational settings. These factors and many others have contributed to the growing number of jobs in the sports fields.
The specific nature of jobs in the sports field varies greatly. Although all workers employed in sports occupations are concerned with the theoretical and practical aspects of athletics, responsibilities range from coaching to managing, from training to instructing, and from scouting to umpiring. Each job has its own requirements. Each worker must have the proper training and education for the job. Athletic coaches, both head and professional athlete coaches, for instance teach and inspire their players to produce winning teams. They must be very knowledgeable in the basic rules and strategies of the game, and they must be open to new procedures and techniques. Coaches analyze their players’ performances by reviewing videotapes and film clips of the games. They then identify errors in an attempt to avoid them at future games. Regardless of the sport, athletic coaches are in charge of their teams and are responsible for the teams win or loss records.
Meanwhile, part of his sports career the athletic trainers work with both amateur and professional players, training them on how to avoid injuries. Trainers evaluate the physical education of athletes and recommend certain exercise programs, diets, and equipment. If an injury does occur, the athletic trainer is often responsible for treating it. During a game, trainers may treat cuts and bruises. They may also see that a player with a bad sprain or a broken bone receives proper medical attention. In addition, trainers work with injured players to ensure that they heal and recover properly.
Likewise, umpires and referees officiate at various athletic events as they are engaged in sport jobs. They are responsible by enforcing the rules of the game and for calling plays. Their specific duties depend on the sport with which they are associated. Baseball umpires, for example, call balls and strikes, decide whether balls are fair or fowl, determine whether a runner is safe or out, and in general, ensure that the game is played fairly. Hockey officials, on the other hand, keep track of playing time, call penalties on players, and record the goals that are scored. Each sport has its own rules and regulations that must be enforced if the game is to be played fairly.
While part also of the sports career of the sports instructors, he is involved in teaching the rules and skills of a particular sport to individuals or to groups. They help beginners learn the basic stances and movements of the game. They also help experienced players sharpen and improve their skills. Instructors advise people on equipment and clothing and teach them basic safety precautions. There are many different types of sports occupations, and new jobs continue to emerge as the popularity of athletics and physical fitness continues to increase.
Nevertheless, since there are so many different kinds of jobs within the sports field, it would be impossible to write a single set of qualifications applicable to all workers. As far as educational requirements are concerned, there is no one ideal background for a career in sports. Each job has its own requirements. Sports employment, like athletic trainers for example, must earn at least a bachelor’s degree and should be certified professional in his field. Umpires and referees must have at least a high-school for officials in their sport. Coaches and instructors, on the other hand, should have experience as a player in the sport that they coach or teach. Regardless of the sports, individuals interested in a career in athletics should enjoy and understand the sports they want to work in. they must also be able to handle the mental and physical pressures that are part of competitive athletics.
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