Sports or leisure centre assistants look after the equipment in sports and leisure centres, supervise clients that are using it and undertake reception duties.

The Work

You could be:

• maintaining and setting up equipment, checking it is not damaged and is safe to use
• supervising adults, teenagers and children using equipment
• challenging troublemakers, if necessary excluding them and perhaps dealing with complaints
• assisting with any accidents that occur and giving first aid if needed
• overseeing security in changing rooms and lockers, tidying and cleaning all areas
• charging admission, taking bookings, renting out equipment, handling cash or answering the phone
• monitor and maintain the water quality in the pool, and check equipment such as heating or ventilation units, filters and pumps
• selling refreshments in a cafe or bar area
• helping the sports instructor to coach clients and assisting at special events.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Salaries for sports or leisure centre assistants in Scotland are usually in the range of £15,500 to £19,000 a year. If you have lifeguard duties this can rise to around £21,125 a year.

Conditions

• You will work shifts including early mornings, evenings, weekends and public holidays – you may be able to work overtime.
• Part time work is common.
• You will spend a lot of time on your feet and may have to do some heavy lifting.
• You will wear a uniform.

Getting In

• Entry into this line of work can be competitive.
• A good general education is useful. Some employers may ask for subjects at National 4 including English.
• It could be helpful to have an NQ or NC (SCQF Levels 4-6) in a sports subject – you do not usually need qualifications for entry.
• A qualification in first aid is useful and may be required.
• If the sports or leisure centre has a swimming pool, you may also need lifeguard qualifications (see Lifeguard or Pool attendant).
• It may be helpful to have experience of working with the public.
• You should be physically fit as this is an active job.
• You will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.

You could work for a local authority, a university or college, a private leisure centre, health and fitness centre or a health club.

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• interested in sport and fitness
• polite, friendly and helpful
• patient and tolerant when helping customers
• able to explain things clearly and tactfully to clients
• good at planning and organising your work
• able to remain calm in an emergency
• responsible and safety conscious
• good at working in a team.

Training

• Training is on the job which would include health and safety guidelines.
• You could take a first aid qualification if you do not already have one.
• If you are responsible for maintaining the water quality, you can complete the RLSS National Pool Management Qualification. This 4-day course is a technical qualification for staff operating pool plant each day.
• You might take coaching and officiating qualifications in your own sport, if you do not already hold them.
• You could also take an SVQ in management.
• The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) run short courses for sports and leisure assistants.

Getting On

• After gaining experience and perhaps some of the qualifications noted above, you might get a job as a supervisor.
• You might then move on to a become manager of a sports or leisure centre.
• You could do further qualifications and become a sports coach, fitness instructor or personal trainer.

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