Home16-19 SportsSPORTS CAREER ACADEMY
A PATHWAY TO A CAREER IN SPORT
Studying sport at BASE puts you on a structured pathway towards careers in the sporting sector, because it includes:
- Level 3 & 4 Sports Qualification
- Industry-relevant qualifications recognised by universities and employers.
- Work experience & practical placements built into the study programme.
- Access to professional environments, facilities and coaching contexts.
- Support towards higher education or employment (coaching, PE teaching, sports management, performance support, etc.
STUDY OPTIONS
Level 3 & 4 industry recognised qualifications that will put you on a pathway to higher education, employment or apprenticeships.
BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma in Sports Coaching & Development
- A 2 year full time course
- The equivalent to studying 3 A levels at 6th form.
- 5 Mandatory Units –
- 7 Optional Units –
HTQ Level 4 in Sports Coaching
- A 1 year course
- The equivalent of studying the first year of a degree
- Units of work –
Studying the above qualifications will enable you to pursue sports careers in the following either directly or through higher education:
- Sports Therapy
- Sports Media
- PE Teacher
- Sports Coaching
- Activity Leader
- Leisure Assistant
- Sports Massage
- Sports Nutritionist
- Sports Event Management
- Sports Development
- Sports Psychologist
A MULTI-SPORT APPROACH
The programme is designed to give students experience across a broad range of sports and physical activities. Based at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, learners utilise the excellent on-site facilities to participate in and develop skills in –
- Badminton
- Netball
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Handball
- Pickleball
- Strength & Conditioning
- Swimming
- Golf.
This multi-sport approach ensures students gain diverse practical experience, develop transferable coaching skills, and build a well-rounded understanding of the sports industry — putting them on a clear pathway toward a career in sport.
WORK EXPERIENCE
The Sports Careers Academy provides meaningful work experience opportunities through our own community programmes, in partnership with local schools, and in collaboration with local authorities.
We are committed to creating structured, hands-on placements that equip young people with practical skills, industry knowledge, and real-world experience within the sports and community sector.
Many of our placements also create clear progression routes into paid employment opportunities, either directly with BASE or with partners such as Stoke Mandeville Stadium. These opportunities can include administration roles, leisure operations, and pathways into nationally recognised qualifications such as lifeguarding.