Sports Coaching and Development - Level 3 | Blackpool and The Fylde College

Summary

The BTEC Level 3 in Sport Coaching and Development is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in turning their passion for sport into a career. This course covers everything you need to know about sports coaching, development, and all the essential areas that will set you up for success in the sports industry. You’ll dive into topics like fitness training, health and well-being, nutrition, sports injuries, and the fundamentals of coaching. Whether you're aiming to be a sports coach, PE teacher, physiotherapist, or fitness trainer, this course is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you'll need.

Not only will you get a solid grounding in the theory, but you’ll also be putting things into practice through hands-on assessments. You’ll develop key skills like leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving – all of which are vital no matter what career path you take. Plus, this course is recognised by employers and professional organisations, so it’ll help you stand out when looking for jobs in the sports industry.

By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to either jump straight into the world of sports coaching, fitness training, and sports development, or continue your studies at university, potentially in sport science, sport management, or a related field. With a mix of coursework and practical assessments, this qualification ensures you’re well-prepared for both further education and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in the sports world.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
08 Sep 2025	Bispham Campus	2 Years	Apply now
08 Sep 2026	Bispham Campus	2 Years	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

Having successfully completed this course, you have the option to seek an entry-level role in the sports sector or pursue a range of further qualification which will develop your skills set and enable you to apply for more senior positions within the industry. You could pursue a route into higher education with qualifications like our HNC in Community Sport & Physical Activity or look at the variety of full honours available in subjects like Sports Science, Performance Management and Nutrition. Alternatively, you could branch out into affiliated fields like Sports Marketing or Sports Journalism..

There are also a range of professional qualifications available to add to your portfolio of skills some of which are delivered here at B&FC. You could look to tailor your training to your own specific career goals adding qualifications in nutrition, advanced personal training or sports therapy to your repertoire. There may also be the opportunity to secure a higher or degree apprenticeship should you be able to find a suitable vacancy within the industry.

Next steps at B&FC

HNC in Community Sport & Physical Activity

Employment Opportunities

Key information

Entry Requirements

Entry – 5 GCSES @ Grade 4 or above, including Maths and English

Qualification obtained

BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development

Extra costs and equipment

Uniform - £50 purchased external link on enrolment - T Shirt, 1/4 Zip top and shorts which will be required for all practical lessons

What will I learn?

In your BTEC course, you will delve into a broad spectrum of subjects and topics that cover the entire landscape of sports, coaching, and development. Your assessments will be diverse, including practical demonstrations, written assignments presentations, and projects. This approach ensures a thorough evaluation of your skills and knowledge in the coaching and development industries.

Essential skills: English and Maths

All school leavers at B&FC are encouraged to continue developing their English and maths skills as higher ability in both these subjects is linked to long-term career success and increased earning potential - irrespective of how well you performed at GCSE. If, however, you achieve a GCSE Grade 3 or less in either subject, you will also have the opportunity to work towards re-sitting these to enhance your paper-based qualifications. This won’t delay your career journey because you will be undertaking this programme of study at the same time as your chosen subject.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

Mandatory Work Placement Week - offers sports students practical experience in areas like coaching, fitness training, and sports management. It helps them develop essential skills, build professional networks, and understand industry standards, all while engaging with the community and promoting physical activity. This hands-on experience is invaluable for their future careers in the sports industry. Placements will commence week commencing 19th January 2026.

Students will be required to find their own placements supported by Tutors.

How will I learn?

A variety of learning and teaching methods are employed to provide an all-round education. These include classroom-based learning for theoretical knowledge, practical sessions in sporting environments, and real-world work experience placements. You will also engage in independent study and, group work as well as attending guest lectures deivered lby industry professionals.

The course is delivered over three and a half days in college, where your time will be divided between practical sessions and theory-led lessons. This balanced approach ensures you gain both hands-on experience and a solid theoretical foundation to your studies.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of school leaver courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

In your BTEC course, you'll delve into a broad spectrum of subjects and topics that cover the entire landscape of sports, coaching, and development. Your assessments will be diverse and entirely coursework-based, including practical demonstrations, written assignments, presentations, and projects. This approach ensures a thorough evaluation of your skills and knowledge.

First Year Units

· Developing Coaching Skills

· Careers in Sport

· Health & Wellbeing

· Self-Employment

· Sport Development

· Organising Events

Second Year Units

· Applied coaching skills

· Rules & Regulations

· Fitness Testing

· Practical Sport

· Research Project

· School Sports Delivery