Looking to begin a career in sports but concerned you don’t stand a chance because you aren’t an athlete? Well, great news! There are numerous sports careers for non-athletes just waiting for you.
Only a small fraction of people pursue their dream of becoming professional athletes, and believe it or not, there are more jobs available behind the scenes than there are on the field. All you need is the drive, determination, and a love of the game to make your dream a reality.
The sports industry offers jobs in physical and mental health services, sports media content, as well as marketing and sales revenue. If you’re searching for a job, check out the top sports careers for non-athletes.
8 Sports Careers to Consider If You Aren’t An Athlete
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- Athletic Trainer
The primary job of an athletic trainer is to assist patients in preventing and treating injuries of athletes. You will be required to make immediate assessments, provide first aid services, and work with a physician to develop a treatment plan. You will also work directly with the athletes to develop personalized programs to prevent future injuries. Athletic trainers not only work in a professional sports team, such as the NBA, MLB, and NFL, but they also work in medical offices, colleges, and schools too.
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- Coach
Often, you’ll see many big-name coaches in the headlines who have an extensive playing background in their sport. However, there are many coaches, from high school to professional leagues, who aren’t professional athletes – and are successful. As a coach, your job is not only to teach the game but to provide guidance and knowledge to your athletes. You’ll need to be a team player and leader and be willing to work long hours to make sure your team is prepared and ready for each game. And although you may not have played the game, you’ll need to understand it, inside and out, so you can teach it and gain the confidence and trust of your players. In some cases, coaches may also be required to recruit new talent, so make sure you know what to look for in a star athlete.
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- Fitness Director
As a fitness director, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a gym or health club. You will also be responsible for developing programs for clients and introducing schedules for personal training sessions. You will need to stay up-to-date with the latest fitness equipment and create athletic and health programs for the center. In a few cases, you may also be required to teach nutrition or exercise classes and conduct one-on-one training sessions.
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- Sports Photographer
A career as a Sports Photographer is also at the top of the list of sports careers for non-athletes. A sports photographer is someone that takes pictures of athletic events, places, and people for media purposes. As a photographer, your responsibility includes documenting sports events, including games, by taking action shots that will then be used in articles. As a sports photographer, you will have irregular hours since you need to be present at events. Plus, you will also be constantly on your feet to get the right shot.
Related Jobs
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Sports Services - Northeast Region
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- Account Manager
As an Account Manager, you would be responsible for being a mediator between a client and a business. In the sports industry, your clients may consist of specific sports personalities or other companies. But regardless of who you represent, remember that it will be your responsibility not only to sell your products but also to serve many accounts at the same time. Time management is of the essence if you choose this line of work.
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- Inside Sales Representative
Whether you are a young professional or a fresh graduate looking for a job in the sports industry, this is one of the greatest sports careers for non-athletes. It is an incredible entry-level position, and jobs are always available with teams in both minor and professional sports teams that need help in selling tickets to individuals and groups.
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- Physical Therapist
As a physical therapist, your responsibilities include helping patients in managing their pain as well as recover from surgeries, sicknesses, and injuries through rehabilitation. You will also be providing care to athletes that are recovering from long-term illnesses or injuries. As a part of your job, you will be required to make a diagnosis of the patient, design an effective treatment plan, and teach the injured player the necessary limb movement during post-injury treatments. You might also have to work with nurses and other personnel who will be supervising the treatments you assign to your patients.
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- Event Manager
The purpose of the Event Manager in the sports industry is to organize and plan all the aspects that are involved in hosting a sporting event. Apart from that, you will also need to promote the event. As the Event Manager, you will have to meet the athlete, team, or their representative to discuss all the needs such as the schedule, transportation, security, handling audio-video equipment needs, and accommodation for the media. In some cases, you will also have to function as a liaison between the event facility and the sporting team. Other responsibilities include negotiating contract costs and ensuring that all the required equipment functions correctly.
The sports industry isn’t only limited to these careers for non-athletes. In fact, there are numerous other jobs available if you are looking for a career in sports that don’t involve athletic prowess. Just stay the course, do your research, and follow your dream.