Sports and Recreation Studies 5M5146 

What is sports management and coaching?

This one-year course will aim to prepare participants for work with people in the sports, coaching, recreation or leisure industries. The sports management and coaching graduate will gain the social, communication and leadership skills to work with individuals and groups in the growing sports coaching and health and fitness areas. Many of the skills acquired will be transferable for use in business or community development settings. Sports Management and Coaching will lay a foundation for these skills and provide the work experience to put learning into practice.  Students can also opt for the Sports Science qualification through the Science Department or to specialise in either soccer coaching or GAA coaching and obtain coaching badges. This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced, mature persons seeking a formal education. It will allow graduates to pursue scholarship programmes in Ireland or abroad. By taking science modules students can claim the science award and apply for Health Science in DCU.

Course content

The following modules will be offered in 2019 subject to availability and demand:

• Sports and Recreation

• Word Processing

• Safety and Health at Work

• Nutrition

• Exercise and Fitness

• Soccer Coaching

• Sports Anatomy & Physiology

• Gaelic Coaching

• Communications

• Business Admin

• Work Experience

Supplemental certificates will be offered in GAA, soccer, hursing, IRFU and Athletics subject to demand.

Certification

QQI Level 5 in Sports and Recreation Studies 5M5146 or QQI Level 5 in Applied Science Laboratory Techniques 5M3807

Sports coaching certificates in various sporting and fitness areas

Career opportunities

The new Sports Management and Coaching degree course in IT Blanchardstown will offer graduates a local alternative to pursue their study to honours degree level. Graduates can also access honours sports programmes in DIT, Dundalk IT, UCC, Carlow IT, Letterkenny IT, Tralee IT, Waterford IT (or students can access the scholarship programmes in Ireland or the US). Graduates may also pursue science certificate or degree courses in TCD, DCU, Maynooth University, UCD, DIT, UCC, NUIG, IT Tallaght, Athlone IT, IT Sligo, IT Carlow, Letterkenny IT, Cork IT, St. Angela’s College Sligo, as other ITs and colleges around the country or in the UK. For example there are up to 18 places in Maynooth University, 30 places in UCD science courses and another 20 places in UCD Agricultural Science courses and 10 places in Trinity in First Science for QQI graduates. The course will give graduates the opportunity to become sports development officers or work in areas like gyms, leisure centres, or sports clubs. The general qualification will lead to careers in the rapidly expanding leisure industry. The Level 5 qualification can lead to certificate or degree courses in Sports or indeed Business, Computers, etc. in many IT colleges and universities throughout the country, as well as pursuing a QQI level 6 in Sports or Leisure Management courses in various colleges of further education.

Higher Education Progression

ITB: BN111 Sport Management and Coaching (Level 8, 4 Years) UCC: CK116 Sports Studies and Physical Education (Level 8, 4 Years) Thurles: LC422 Sports Strength and Conditioning (Level8, 4 Years)

Entry requirements

• Leaving Cert or LCA
• Mature Students of all backgrounds
• Other equivalent qualification

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

All applicants will be asked to provide a letter of recommendation from a voluntary or professional sporting body.