National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
5 - Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
This broad category comprises specialized middle management occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport, as well as professional, technical, support and other occupations concerned with art and culture (including the performing arts, film and video, broadcasting, journalism, writing, creative design, libraries and museums), recreation and sports.
53 - Occupations in art, culture and sport
This major group comprises occupations in art, culture and sport. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 3. Occupations classified in TEER 3, as those included in this group with a 3 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of a post-secondary education program of less than two years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or completion of an apprenticeship training program of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training, training courses or specific work experience with some secondary school education; or the accumulation of several years of experience in a related occupation found in TEER 4, when applicable (TEER 4 includes occupations with a 4 as a second digit in their code).
532 - Occupations in sports
This sub-major group comprises occupations in sports, including athletes, coaches, sports officials and referees, and related occupations.
5320 - Athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations
This minor group comprises occupations in sports, including athletes, coaches, sports officials and referees, and related occupations. They are employed by national, provincial and local sports organizations, leagues and sporting commissions; professional and amateur sports teams; universities; community centres, sports and fitness clubs, outdoor centres, resorts, recreational facilities, health care facilities, retirement homes and correctional institutions; and government departments, private businesses and tourism associations; or they may be self-employed.
53200 - 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. They are employed by professional team organizations or they may be self-employed.
Illustrative example(s)
- athlete
- baseball player
- boxer
- figure skater
- football player
- golfer
- harness race driver
- hockey player
- jockey
- professional athlete
- skier
- sprinter
- track athlete
Inclusion(s)
- competitor - gambling
- gamer - video games
Exclusion(s)
- Coaches (See 53201 Coaches)
- Sports instructor (See 54100 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness)
- Sports officials and referees (See 53202 Sports officials and referees)
Main duties
This group performs 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.
53201 - 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
Exclusion(s)
- Athletes (See 53200 Athletes)
- Athletic therapist (See 31204 Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment)
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (See 54100 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness)
- Sports officials and referees (See 53202 Sports officials and referees)
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Coaches
- 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 coordinate 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
- 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.
53202 - 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
Exclusion(s)
- Coaches (See 53201 Coaches)
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (See 54100 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness)
Main duties
This group performs 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.
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