National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

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525 - Athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations

5251 - Athletes

Athletes participate in competitive sports events on an amateur or professional basis. They play team sports such as hockey, baseball, football and lacrosse; or compete in individual sports such as skiing, figure skating, boxing or track and field; or in games such as poker or chess. Athletes are employed by professional team organizations or they may be self-employed. This unit group also includes competitors such as chess players and poker players.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • athlete
    • baseball player
    • boxer
    • figure skater
    • football player
    • golfer
    • harness race driver
    • hockey player
    • jockey
    • professional athlete
    • skier
    • sprinter
    • track athlete

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Coaches (5252)
    • Sports instructors (See 5254 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness)
    • Sports officials and referees (5253)
  • Main duties

    Athletes perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Train under the direction of a coach or trainer to qualify for competition
    • Attend scheduled practice and training sessions
    • Participate in local, regional, provincial, national or international competitions and sporting events
    • Assess performance after an event to identify strengths and weaknesses.
  • Employment requirements

    • Demonstrated ability in a particular sport, or type of game, is required.
    • Extensive training under the supervision of a coach is required.
    • Certification with a particular sports federation may be required.
    • A background combining athletic training and college or university studies is strongly recommended.

5252 - Coaches

Coaches prepare and train individual athletes or teams for competitive events. They are employed by national and provincial sports organizations, professional and amateur sports teams, sports clubs and universities or they may be self-employed. This unit group also includes sports scouts who identify and recruit athletes for professional sports teams. They are employed by professional sports organizations.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • coach
    • figure skating coach
    • football scout
    • gymnastics coach
    • head coach
    • hockey coach
    • hockey scout
    • national team coach
    • soccer coach
    • sports scout
    • swimming coach
    • volleyball coach

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Athletes (5251)
    • Athletic therapists (See 3144 Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment)
    • Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (5254)
    • Sports officials and referees (5253)
  • Main duties

    Coaches perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Identify strengths and weaknesses of athletes or teams
    • Plan, develop and implement training and practice sessions
    • Nurture and develop athletes' potential skills and abilities
    • Develop, plan and co-ordinate competitive schedules and programs
    • Motivate and prepare athletes or teams for competitive events or games
    • Formulate competitive strategies, develop game plans and direct athletes and players during games or athletic events
    • Analyse and evaluate athletes' or teams' performances and modify training programs.

    Sports scouts perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Identify and recruit developing athletes for professional sports teams
    • Observe and evaluate prospective athletes' skills and performance, and review their past records
    • File reports on scouting assessments and recommendations with professional team employers.
  • Employment requirements

    Coaches

    • Completion of the National Coaching Certificate program is usually required for individual and team sports coaches in all sports.
    • National Coaching Certificate Level 3 is usually required for provincial coaches.
    • National Coaching Certificate Level 4 is usually required for coaches of national team athletes.
    • A degree in physical education may be required.
    • Experience in and technical knowledge of the sport is required.

    Sports scouts

    • Experience in and technical knowledge of the sport is required.

5253 - Sports officials and referees

Sports officials and referees observe and enforce rules and regulations governing sporting events, athletic games and sports competitions. They are employed by national, provincial and local sporting commissions, organizations and leagues.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • athletics judge
    • clerk of the course - racetrack
    • figure skating judge
    • goal judge
    • harness racing starter
    • racetrack timer
    • referee
    • sports linesman/woman
    • sports official
    • umpire

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Coaches (5252)
    • Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (5254)
  • Main duties

    Sports officials and referees perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Officiate at sporting events or athletic competitions to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules and safety regulations are observed
    • Record lapsed time and keep scores during events or competitions
    • Judge the performance of competitors, award points, impose penalties for infractions and determine results
    • Compile scores and other athletic records
    • Establish and maintain rapport with coaches, players and organizing committees
    • Verify credentials of athletes or animals engaged in sports or related special events, and respond to written protests.
  • Employment requirements

    • Sports officials require certification by and registration with a sport governing body or commission.
    • Sports referees require completion of an officiating program offered by a sport governing body.

5254 - Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness

Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness lead and instruct groups and individuals in recreational, sports, fitness or athletic programs. They are employed by community centres, sports and fitness clubs, outdoor centres, resorts, recreational facilities, health care facilities, retirement homes, correctional institutions, government departments, private businesses, tourism associations and similar establishments.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • aerobics instructor
    • camp counsellor
    • certified personal trainer
    • day camp leader
    • fitness appraiser
    • fitness instructor
    • gymnastics teacher
    • lifeguard
    • personal trainer
    • playground worker
    • recreation program leader
    • recreation technician
    • riding instructor
    • ski instructor
    • ski patrol
    • swimming instructor - sports

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Other instructors (4216)
    • Recreation and sports supervisors (See 4167 Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers)
    • Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors (0513)
  • Main duties

    Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness perform some or all of the following duties:

    • Plan and carry out recreational, athletic, fitness and sports activities
    • Assemble supplies and sports and game equipment
    • Demonstrate and instruct athletic, fitness or sports activities and techniques
    • Instruct groups and individuals in arts, crafts and similar activities and lead groups and individuals in recreational or leisure programs
    • Attend to clients with special needs
    • Provide lifestyle awareness information
    • Conduct therapeutic recreational or athletic activities
    • Monitor recreational, sports or fitness activities to ensure safety and provide emergency or first aid assistance when required
    • Enforce safety rules and regulations
    • Assist with co-ordination of special events
    • Schedule activities, keep logs, maintain records and prepare reports
    • May train and supervise staff
    • May maintain and repair sports equipment.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a college program in recreation or physical education
      or
      extensive experience in a specific recreational or sports program activity is usually required.
    • Certification is usually required in a specific area of recreational, sports or fitness activity, such as ski instructor or personal trainer, or in first aid or emergency care.
    • Demonstrated ability in a particular recreational, sports or fitness discipline is required.
    • Fitness appraiser certification may be required for fitness appraisers.
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