The chances of working as a sport coach are improving. The number of people in this job doubled between 1996 and 2006, according to Census data.

Job numbers are growing because:

• the government is providing more money for sport and recreation programmes
• people are more willing to pay for coaching services. 
  
  

  Number of sport coaches in New Zealand
  (1996, 2001, 2006)

  Census	Number of sport coaches
  1996	3,123
  2001	4,539
  2006	6,774
  Source: Department of Labour, Jobs and Tertiary Education Indicator Tool.

Difficult to find full-time work as a sport coach, as many positions part time only

While the number of sport coaches is on the rise, nearly half of these positions are part time (30 hours a week or less). People who want to work full time as sport coaches may have to take part-time coaching jobs to gain experience before they can get a full-time job.

Sport coaches may also have to work other jobs to supplement their incomes.

Increased sports funding for schools may create more opportunities for youth coaches

Demand for sport coaches who have experience working with school-age children may increase as a result of the Kiwisport initiative. From 2009 to 2012, the Government will invest $82 million in primary and secondary school sport programmes. It is expected that some of this money will be spent on hiring sport coaches, or to pay local sports clubs to help coach school teams and lead organised sports.

Cricket, netball, rugby, basketball and football are the most popular sports taught at schools, so sport coaches with expertise in these areas have the best chances of coaching in the school system.

Volunteer coaching best path to paid work

Most paid sport coaches start out as volunteers. Besides gaining practical coaching experience, which employers value, they can also make contacts in the local sporting community. This can lead to paid work. However, you may need to volunteer for some time before the opportunity for paid coaching work arises.

Though 385,000 people volunteered as coaches in 2008, this is still not enough to cover demand, so there are many opportunities to get coaching experience by volunteering.

Sports coaches work for:

• sports clubs or facilities, such as golf clubs or swimming pools
• national or regional sports organisations, such as the NZ Rugby Union or Tennis Auckland.
• schools or tertiary providers
• sport organisations, such as regional sports trusts.

Some sport coaches run their own businesses, and are hired by schools, clubs, teams, parents or athletes.