Sport and Recreation is a growth industry with lots of opportunities for girls and women.
Careers in this area aren't limited to professional competition and training, although these are exciting choices for those with the skills and determination to follow their dreams.

There is a huge variety of opportunities for women in Sport and Recreation - everyone, from children to the elderly, is being encouraged to focus more on their health and the ways they spend their leisure time. People need help maintaining good nutrition, psychological and spiritual well-being and physical fitness.

An example of the growth in this industry is the recent surge in popularity of yoga and Pilates. These exercise regimes are not only about physical fitness, they are also ways that people can achieve balance in all parts of their lives.

Massage therapists and nutritionists also treat human beings holistically, taking into account every part of the individual to achieve optimum health and happiness. Of course, more traditional careers are still open, too - every team needs a devoted coach!

There is also the opportunity to combine your passion for sport and fitness with another discipline, such as school teaching or business studies. You'll be surprised at the variety of Sport and Recreation jobs out there - here are just a few examples:
- Activity leader
- Announcer/Commentator
- Coach
- Competition Supervisor
- Fitness Instructor
- Greenkeeper
- Grounds Manager
- Judge
- Marketing Manager
- Massage Therapist
- Nutritionist
- Personal Trainer
- Player Manager/Agent
- Professional Life Guard
- Recreation Officer
- Sport and Drug Educator
- Swimming Pool Attendant/Manager

For a much larger list and descriptions of Sport and Recreation jobs check out the NSW Sport and Recreation ITAB's list of careers.

Salaries and wages in Sport and Recreation vary as much as the types of jobs. Of course how much you get paid also depends on your qualifications and experience. Starting salaries and graduate salaries are going to be less than salaries for supervisors and managers.

For example, a Fitness and Recreation worker can earn between $20 000 and $40 000 per year. They can earn around $60 000 and upwards if they manage a large fitness or recreation centre.
Some jobs, like professional coaching in high profile sports, are very specialised and profitable. These kinds of wages are negotiated in contracts.

If you want to begin a career in Sport and Recreation while you are doing your HSC, think about enrolling in a part time school-based Vocational Education and Training (VET) traineeship:
Certificate II in Sport & Recreation (Community Recreation)
Certificate II in Sport and Recreation
Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation.

TAFE NSW has a range of courses in the Sport and Recreation field. Check out the TAFE NSW online handbook for course details.

Other public and private education and training providers such as community colleges offer courses in Sport and Recreation as well.

Check out the NSW Sport and Recreation ITAB links to training for heaps of course info.

Womensport and Recreation NSW Inc - this website has information about the organisation and issues concerning the participation of women and girls in sport and recreation.

Womensport Australia - a national organisation representing the interests of women and girls in sport and physical recreation.

NSW Sport and Recreation ITAB - this website has everything you need to know about working in Sport and Recreation in NSW.