Sports Studies

Become a… professional footballer, rugby player or golfer, club administrator, tour professional, fitness trainer, sports coach, officiator, leisure centre manager, adviser or researcher to governing or advisory bodies or work in the retail or promotional sector.

If you have a passion for sport, then Merrist Wood is the place to start your career. We have a relationship with Chelsea FC Foundation by offering their 16+ Male and Ladies College Football Academy, and also with Soccer Coaching Limited (SCL) delivering the Football Coaching Diploma. We also have excellent golf links established over 20 years with an adjoining privately-owned 18 hole golf course and extensive outdoor facilities including purpose-built sports pitches. You will also benefit from coaching by professional club coaches, PGA professionals and professional players.

Courses combine practice and theory in a competitive environment to prepare you for a range of sporting careers. You will also take part in local and regional competitions to give you plenty of match practice.

Why choose Merrist Wood College?

Merrist Wood works with the Chelsea FC Foundation to deliver the 16+ Male and Ladies Football College Academy Programme.
The College also works with Soccer Coaching Limited (SCL) to deliver the Football Coaching Diploma
Coaching by PGA professionals and professional players and coaches
Extensive outdoor facilities including several pitches
Access to an adjoining, privately-owned 18 hole golf course
Excellent golf links established over 20 years of golf education at Merrist Wood
New sports hall
Field trips and work experience opportunities

Day to day

Sports coaching
Fitness testing
Sports nutrition
Technical and tactical skills
Health, safety and injury
Anatomy and physiology

Average salary

Professional player salaries vary widely depending on the club and ability of the player. Earnings can also be increased by sponsorship deals and other endorsements. Community coaches typically earn between £16- £24,000 a year although this is substantially more for professional coaches. Fitness instructors start £13,000 a year but this can rise to over £20,000. Leisure centre managers earn between £17-£25,000 a year, rising to £35,000 for senior staff.

Moving on

Progress to our Golf Management Foundation Degrees followed by Degree or university courses in sports development, sport and fitness, sports technology, sports coaching and others.