Have you ever wondered what it takes to be part of the action at your favourite sporting events? Sports management is often the unsung hero behind the scenes, orchestrating how things play out off the field of play. Sports management can be a rewarding career that gets you right amongst the action without having to be an athlete.
So, if you have a genuine passion for sports and a knack for leadership, then studying sports management might be the perfect fit for you.
In this blog, we’ll dive into what sports management truly means and shed light on why studying it can open doors to exciting opportunities. From understanding what sports management entails to the essential skills and qualifications needed, this article provides insights into the opportunities that await you. Learn how the Health, Fitness & Coaching Course at BCE can help turn your passion for sports management into a thriving profession.
So, let’s jump right into the world of sports management!
What is Sports Management?
Sports management is all about the behind-the-scenes magic that makes sports events happen. It involves planning, organising, and executing various aspects of sports events, team management, and athlete representation.
Whether it’s coordinating tournaments, overseeing marketing and promotions, managing facilities, or handling administrative tasks, sports managers play a vital role in ensuring the success of the sports industry and, more importantly, the team they represent.
There are many aspects of sports management, from events management to marketing and promotion, all the way through to things like financial planning and sports communication. Although sports management is the general term for being involved in sports more strategically, there are numerous different paths to explore, such as:
- Event Management: This includes organising and managing sporting events, including logistics, scheduling, and coordination. It could be a tournament, a one-off event, or one of many other formats that fall under a “sporting event”, so it’s a varied field in its own right.
- Financial Management: This field focuses more on the financial aspects of sports organisations, whether that’s budgeting, financial planning, or revenue generation.
- Marketing and Promotion: As a part of the marketing and promotions outfit at a sports organisation, you’ll develop strategies to promote teams and events, so this role often includes things like advertising, social media, graphic design and digital marketing.
- Facility Management: Just like the athletes, sports facilities need to be kept in peak shape. Managing sports facilities like stadiums and training areas will include tasks like overseeing the maintenance and operation of the facilities and venues, which is basically how they’re run day to day.
- Team and Athlete Management: On the more glitzy side, managing athletes and teams is a career path that can lead to being an agent. It involves managing the business opportunities and careers of athletes and teams and may also include negotiations, contracts, and representation.
- Sports Media and Communications: This field is closely related to marketing, but it’s a specialist discipline in its own right, involving media relations, broadcasting rights, and communications strategies. In a nutshell, this means talking to journalists, broadcasters and publications to get the word out there about your team or athlete.
What skills do I need to get into sports management?
Because sports management can be a varied role, there are many different qualities or skills you’ll need to excel. Here are some of the more essential skills useful for all different types of sports managers.
Communication
Being great at communicating is key when working with teams, athletes, sponsors, and other stakeholders. In fact, it’s one of the most important parts of the role. On any given day, you’ll be communicating with people from all different departments and organisations.
Leadership
As a sports manager, you’ll be responsible for guiding and motivating individuals and teams towards their goals. It’s not a solo sport, you’ll have plenty of people who depend on you to set the strategic vision and make sure things are ticking along as they should.
Problem-Solving
The ability to think on your feet and find solutions to challenges that arise in the fast-paced sports industry is crucial. At any time you could be confronted with a curve ball, so not only will you need to plan for any eventuality, you’ll also need to be able to react quickly.
Organisation and Multitasking
Juggling numerous responsibilities and schedules is a daily occurrence in sports management. You’ll have a lot on your plate, so you’ll need to be very organised. Additionally, being able to delegate tasks will come in handy.
How to get into Sports Management
Sports management courses
Studying sports management can pave the way for many different careers in the world of sports. While real world experience can be crucial, to truly thrive in this field, getting the right qualifications for the career you want will be more beneficial. Here’s a peek at some common sports management qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree: Many universities and colleges offer degree programs specialising in Sports Management, Sports Administration, or related fields.
- College course: Courses like the level 2 or level 3 Health, Fitness and Coaching course at BCE are a great way to get started in sports management.
These programs provide a comprehensive understanding of the sports business landscape, including the marketing, financial, and legal aspects of being a sports manager. Typically, you would progress from school to a college course, like the ones we run at BCE, before taking your learning to the next level with a degree.
Specialised Courses and Certifications
Shorter-term programs focusing on event management, sports marketing, and athlete representation can equip you with practical skills specific to your chosen area of sports management. Many of them can even be taken online to reinforce your learning once you’ve found your feet in the professional world.
To give you some idea of what you could expect in the future, here are a few short courses to browse:
- Johan Cruyff Institute: Course in Financial Management in Sport Organizations (Online)
- European School of Economics: Sports Management Short Course
- Birkbeck University of London: Football Management and Finance Short Course
Now that you have a glimpse of the skills and qualifications required for sports management, let’s dive into the exciting part—why it’s worth studying.
The Benefits of Studying Sports Management
Endless Career Opportunities
Sports management opens doors to a wide range of exciting career paths within the world of sports. From managing professional sports teams to organising major sporting events or representing athletes, the opportunities are diverse and abundant.
Thriving Industry
The sports industry is constantly growing and evolving, with a massive demand for skilled professionals. The global sports market is valued at over £623 billion. This growth translates into a wide range of job opportunities, including event management, marketing and promotions, sports facility management, sports administration, and athlete representation.
Pursue Your Passion
If you’re truly passionate about sports, studying sports management allows you to combine your love for the game with your career. Imagine waking up every day excited to work in an industry that aligns with your interests and values.
Is Sports Management Right for Me?
So, is sports management the right path for you? Well, if you have a genuine passion for sports, enjoy working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, and possess the skills and qualifications we discussed earlier, then sports management might just be your calling.
It’s an industry that rewards those who are dedicated, ambitious, and willing to step up to the challenge.
At BCE, we understand your passion for sports and offer the Health, Fitness & Coaching Course to help you kickstart your sports management journey. As one of the UK’s biggest and best creative colleges, we provide an environment that nurtures your talents and prepares you for the real-world challenges of sports management.
Whether your dream is to become a football coach, overcome sports performance anxiety, or delve into sports science, BCE is here to support your aspirations. Check out our course page to learn more about the Health, Fitness & Coaching Course and take the first step towards an exciting career in sports management.
So, sports enthusiasts, are you ready to unlock your potential and make your mark in the thrilling world of sports management? The ball is in your court—go ahead and seize the opportunity!
