Introduction
Councils run leisure or sports centres for use by the local
community. They own the premises, but often contract out the
organisation of activities and maintenance of the building to
private contractors under Compulsory Competitive Tendering/Best
Value Monitoring. Leisure assistants (sometimes known as
recreation attendants or sports centre assistants) work in all 'dry
side' areas of the centre - and sometimes in the swimming pool
areas, but only if they are appropriately
qualified.
Work Environment
A normal working week is 37-40 hours on a shift pattern that
includes days, evenings and weekends. Typical shifts could be
from 8.30-3pm or 3pm-11.30pm. The work is mainly indoors
although some centre may have outdoor tennis courts or pitches that
can be used for football, basketball or hockey.
Daily Activities
Leisure assistants' duties vary on different days. Some
centres employ receptionists to staff the reception desk, answer
the telephone, take bookings and hire out equipment like racquets
and sell tickets. In others, leisure attendants take turns at
working in reception. They will know in advance where they will be
working - through reading a duty sheet worked out by the duty
manager.
At the beginning of each shift they go to the area they have
been assigned to and prepare it for the first session's activities.
These could be sports like badminton or table tennis, activities
such as circuit training, indoor team sports, trampolining or
'tumble tots' 'gymnastics' for small children or sports in the
outdoor area. The work is very physical and includes setting
up and moving trampolines, portable goal posts and nets for racquet
games. They might have to prepare an area for use by a craft
fair or public meeting and set out tables and chairs. They
supervise the area, explain the use of facilities and make sure
that customers know how to use them safely. They may have to
intervene and tell someone that they are behaving
dangerously. At the end of a session, they have to dismantle
everything and store it in the correct place.
They might also take turns to work in the cafes and bars,
serving food and drinks and run children's birthday parties -
organising games and supervising tea. Their general duties
around the centre include cleaning changing rooms, general areas
and toilets.
Skills & Interests
Leisure assistants need a keen interest in all kinds of sports and
fitness activities. They must be physically fit and have
plenty of stamina. They must like working with people and be
able to deal with them diplomatically but they must be capable of
being firm when necessary.
Entry Requirements
There are no specified requirements although most councils expect
a good standard of general education including GCSE/S grade passes
in English and maths. Many entrants have higher
qualifications, such as GNVQs/GSVQs and BTEC/SQA National
Certificates in relevant subjects. Holding a first aid
certificate may be an advantage. Apprenticeships in Sport and
Recreation may be available. Training is given on the job and
staff are encouraged to work towards recognised qualifications,
such as those offered by the Chartered Institute for the Management
of Sport and Physical Activity. S/NVQs in Sport and
Recreation are available at Levels 1 and 2; and in Coaching and
Activity Delivery (for both adults and children) and Facility
Operations at Level 2.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Leisure is an expanding area of employment. There are
council-owned sports centres or swimming pools in most towns.
Some recreation assistants work for fitness qualifications and
transfer over to work in fitness centres or gyms, which are often
in the leisure centre complex. Or they might qualify as
coaches in individual sports or as aerobics instructors and take
classes. For leisure assistants who are also prepared to work
for supervisory qualifications there are prospects of promotion to
duty manager and to centre manager.
Further Information & Services
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical
Activity www.cimspa.co.uk
SkillsActive www.skillsactive.com
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.