Sport
The sport industry in the UK is growing fast and provides a diverse range of careers in the exciting world of sport, fitness and coaching.

Whatever your interests or career aspirations, we have the perfect course for you. Join our football academy pathway to enhance your match skills and game understanding while pursuing a study programme within sport.
There are endless opportunities—not just for aspiring athletes—but for all students with a passion for sport. Whether you choose to stay in the sports industry, embark on an apprenticeship, or pursue university studies, we’ve got you covered.
We provide everyone with an opportunity to enjoy themselves whilst developing important skills and realising their potential. Students learn transferable skills that equip them for any role in the sports industry, or any other industry that they choose to work in.
Studying sports promotes overall fitness and physical health, mental wellbeing, teamwork, and discipline, building life-long friendships. It enhances problem-solving skills, goal-setting, time-management, discipline and resilience.
You’ll gain practical, hands-on experience in sports and coaching during your time at college. You’ll also benefit from employer visits, guest talks, trips, and valuable work placements to put your skills into action.
We work with local sports providers and maintain a strong network of employer partnerships. These have resulted in work opportunities, apprenticeships, and football scholarship programmes abroad.
Sport options
If a career in fitness is for you, you could impact the lives of people of all ages and walks of life. Our Sport Level 2 First Certificate (Banbury FC) will help you pursue a career in football with a course that mixes playing and training alongside coaching and learning.
With so many transferrable skills, you can prepare for a number of careers, including a sports-related career or a degree with our Sport Level 3, which includes optional training with Banbury FC. You will combine the study of anatomy, physiology and psychology with biometrics, exercise, health and lifestyle. In addition, you will develop skills in fitness testing and training, sport and exercise massage, sports injuries and coaching.
The sport and physical activity industries contribute £39 billion to the UK’s economy. Much of this comes from grassroots sport: the millions of people who buy trainers, bikes, gym memberships, get physiotherapy or pay match fees.
As of 2021, there are over 300,000 people employed in the UK in sports-related jobs. Popular roles in this sector include sports coaches, instructors, and officials, with one in ten graduates employed as secondary education teaching professionals.
Industry partnerships
Football Academy
We have joined forces with Banbury United FC to launch a Football Academy, which is open to all abilities. The only requirement is an interest in and passion for football. Through it, you will improve your knowledge of various sports science topics while developing your coaching and playing skills.
Activate Learning has an excellent track record of developing international athletes and coaches within football, in partnership with both Banbury United FC and Reading FC. Students have gone on to have successful careers within professional sport.
Mike Ford, tutor and coach
"You’ll have a great time socially on our sports courses, making new friends, and learning new skills together. You’ll benefit from engaging face-to-face, developing teamwork, confidence-building and resilience. This is an opportunity to transform your future."
Mike Ford is a former English football manager and professional footballer. His career began at age 18 at Leicester City; he then played for Cardiff City and Oxford United, where he was club captain. Whilst managing Oxford City and Banbury United, both clubs gained promotion.
Mike has been sharing his love of football with young players, teaching football skills and theory for over a decade.

Alice, Sport and Coaching Level 3 AlumniRead my storyComing here really built my confidence. The tutors believed in me which encouraged me and pushed me to do the best I can.