Qualifications
To work as a sports coach or instructor in the UK and EU, you will typically need to have the appropriate qualifications and certifications, for a specialist job experience is also essential but there are plenty of entry level jobs where even a basic ticket will make you stand out. The specific qualifications required vary depending on the level of coaching, the sport, and the organisation you want to work for and obviously the country you are working in.
Traditional & ball sports
Most sports in the UK & Ireland have their own National Governing Bodies, and they offer coaching qualifications specific to their sport. Examples include the Football Association (FA), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and the FA of Ireland Kickstart courses. These courses obviously have multiple levels, from beginner to advanced. Most seasonal jobs require the basic ones but specialist and performance camps employ instructors of higher levels.
Outdoor and adventure sports
Outdoor and adventure sports work in much the same way. This system now works nationally so the Scottish, Welsh and English Mountain Training Boards coordinate but administrate awards such as Summer Mountain Leader, Walking Group Leader and climbing qualifications like the Single Pitch Climbing award. In Ireland the MTBI covers the Island of Ireland and is a member of Mountain Training UK and Ireland, as are the various mountaineering councils and prominent training centres.
Sports jobs help guide
A closer look at each category of outdoor sports jobs and courses
Latest outdoor sports jobs and courses
Senior Dinghy/ Windsurf Instructors Greece/Turkey - Summer 2026
The amazing lifestyle and location that comes with the job offers the perfect opportunity for those looking for an adventure this summer. We are looki
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Competitive seasonnaire package
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Provided
RYA Dinghy and/or Windsurf Instructor - Summer 2026 Greece/ Turkey
Would you like the opportunity to combine your love for water sports and travelling? Mark Warner invites you to join our team as a Watersports Instruc
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Competitive Seasonnaire salary
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Provided
LTA Level 2 Tennis Coach Greece/Turkey - Summer 2026
Would you like the opportunity to combine your love of tennis with travelling? Mark Warner invites you to join our team as Tennis Coach, where your lo
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Competitive Seasonnaire salary
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Provided
From the outdoor sports video channel
NO ORDINARY SUMMER | CAMP AMERICA
Camp America isn't just making s'mores around a campfire...it's adventure and adrenaline, it's getting back to basics and being surrounded by nature, it's bonding with people from all over the world, it's being a big kid again and doing what you love! If you want a summer to remember...apply now!
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Turn your passion into a job! | Spend your summer on the water.
If you love being out on the water, you need to check out our watersports roles! Spend 9 weeks of summer working as a wakeboard, kayak, sailing, paddle boarding, jet ski, or motor boating instructor and many more!
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The Adventure Starts Here | Outdoor Adventure Jobs USA with Camp America
This is camp like you’ve never seen it. Mountain biking. Climbing. Rafting. Big energy, bigger views, and the summer that gives you a story. Camp America throws you straight into real adventure with new mates, new skills, makes you a role model and a camp that feels like home by week one. Want in? Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episodes. Start your summer www.campamerica.co.uk Big thanks to High Rocks Camp, North Carolina for having us and Filmed by Gnarvarna.
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Meet Jack | Waterfront Instructor at Camp
Jack was a civil engineer back in Australia - he quit his job to work on the waterfront teaching kids to waterski and tube! Spend a bit of time with him finding out about his day on camp at Chestnut Lake. Welcome to Camp America!
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