How Can I Get a Job in Sports Without Being an Athlete? York's New Education Centre Has the Answer

Not everyone with a passion for sport wants to be on the pitch. Some of us love the buzz of match day, the planning, the logistics, the business side of it all. If you've ever wondered how to break into the sports industry without having to score a goal or run laps, something big is coming to York that might just be your thing.

In September 2025, a brand new training and education centre will launch inside the LNER Community Stadium. And no, it’s not about becoming a pro athlete — it’s about all the other exciting roles that make a sports club tick. Think marketing, operations, event planning, business management. The stuff most people don’t see, but without it, nothing works.

A sports club isn't just players and coaches

We all see the players and the managers, but there’s a whole world behind the scenes — from ticket sales and catering to managing volunteers and keeping the books balanced. That’s what this centre is about: opening the doors to those jobs that often go unnoticed.

Set inside the already well-used LNER Community Stadium, which currently hosts everything from health clinics to leisure activities, this new centre will take things up a gear. It's designed to help real people — students, job-seekers, volunteers — get proper qualifications and hands-on experience to work in sports club management.

The courses will be built around Pearson BTEC Level 3 Sport qualifications (yep, the proper ones), taught over two years. But these won’t be your typical classroom lessons. Students will dive into how real sports clubs function — right down to the nitty-gritty details like scheduling fixtures, managing events and working with sponsors.

Real-world experience and rewards — not just textbooks

What makes this setup different is the rewards-based learning system. Finish extra modules? You won’t just walk away with better job prospects — you could earn:

• Match-day tickets
• Free gym memberships
• Paid work placements with local clubs

Imagine doing your coursework one day and shadowing a stadium manager the next. That’s the kind of learning experience we’re talking about. It’s immersive, practical and actually enjoyable.

And if you're thinking, “This sounds great, but I’m not 18 anymore,” don’t worry. This isn’t just for school leavers.

Adults, volunteers and parents — this is for you too

Whether you're a parent trying to understand your kid’s career path, a club volunteer who’s suddenly in charge of admin, or just someone curious about how sports clubs run — there’s something here for you.

The centre will offer adult education programs, built to help people in volunteer committees or on Boards who never got formal training but are still doing big jobs. These will cover things like club finances, safeguarding, marketing and volunteer management. You’ll get the tools to make your club better — and it’s designed to work around busy lives.

It’s also a great option for career changers or those re-entering work. Got experience from a different industry? These courses could help you switch tracks and use your skills in a whole new environment.

Built with input from the community (and a Premier League expert)

This isn’t a “build it and hope they come” project. It’s been in the works for nearly two years, with input from local sports clubs, businesses and community partners.

Martin Jesper, Executive Director at York Stadium Management Company, put it simply:

“We’ve had huge interest — everyone seems to know someone who’d benefit from this. And clubs have already offered to help deliver the training, not just promote it.”

They’ve also brought in a Head of Education with over 20 years’ experience running BTEC courses and working with Premier League clubs. So it’s not just local — it’s top quality.

What next?

If you’re interested — whether for yourself, your child, your club or your career — you can register now at https://yorksmc.co.uk/education/ or by emailing education@yorksmc.co.uk.

There’s also going to be an exclusive open day (date coming soon) where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour of the LNER Community Stadium. You’ll see how it all works on match days and when it’s not packed with fans.

So, if you’ve ever asked yourself how to break into sport without becoming an athlete — York might have just created the perfect place to start.