Sports Internship
In a recent ITE Career Fair, our management and team of coaches were asked a highly popular question “I want to be a coach too. How can I get a sports internship with your company?” Every year, we get a lot of internship requests and enquiries from skateboarders, inline skating or rollerblading enthusiasts who have heard about us from their friends or ITE, Polytechnic lecturers. These young energetic and enthusiastic students often are keen to kickstart their own coaching career and are looking for coaching training or internship.
Today’s sharing will be 5 important tips on how students in Singapore looking for a sports internship can kickstart their career in sports coaching.
Singapore offers exciting prospects, especially as the nation invests in wellness, active lifestyles, and athletic excellence. Whether you’re a student-athlete, a sports enthusiast, or just starting out, here’s a comprehensive guide to earning a sports diploma and building a rewarding coaching career.
How to become a sports coach in Singapore?
In Singapore, MOE and Singapore Sports Council offer several structured education tracks for aspiring sports coaches. You can begin your journey right after your secondary education or after attaining basic vocational skills.
Who can start a coaching career?
- GCE O-Level/N-Level Holders
- ITE Nitec/Higher Nitec Graduates
- Adult Learners and Working Professionals
Students who are keen to know more about sports management, sports wellness or simply keen to earn some good part time hustle, can start through progression pathways into sports-related diploma and higher education programmes offered by ITE Colleges or Republic Polytechnic. ITE College West and ITE College East offers one of the most promising sports programme that prepares students for a career in sports.
At Skate With Us, we offer work attachment programmes, CSR, internship programmes to students from secondary, junior colleges, polytechnics and ITE. Students who are keen to build their portfolio are welcome to join us.
We offere hands on training programmes where students can start off by becoming skate ambassadors, skate facilitators before progressing to an assistant coach, specialised coach and accredited coach by Singapore Sports Council. We provide hands on training where you can work with professionals and learn the ropes, earn some money along the way! Training is compulsory and there are skills future courses available. For more details, contact us!
2. Get a Sport Diploma and ITE Qualifications
Polytechnics
- Republic Polytechnic
- Diploma in Sport & Exercise Science: Focus on sports science fundamentals, biomechanics, and psychology.
- Diploma in Sport Coaching: Industry-recognised pathway that includes hands-on coaching modules through the Singapore Coach Excellence (SG-Coach) Programme.
- Nanyang Polytechnic
- Diploma in Sport & Wellness Management: Emphasis on wellness, business management, and sports operations.
- Singapore Polytechnic
- Specialist Diploma in Nutrition & Exercise Science: Suitable for graduates and working professionals interested in sports nutrition and exercise.
Most of our trainers are not just skating professionals, they are dedicated coaches with a love for sports and teaching. If you are looking to start your hustle in sports career, you should definitely pursue a Higher Nitec in Sport Management or or a sports diploma a career in Sports Management. Contact our HR if you are keen on a Work-Study Diploma in Fitness Management attachment or internship.
ITE (Institute of Technical Education)
- Higher Nitec in Sport Management: 2- or 3-year programme covering fitness, sports science, coaching, and business skills.
- Higher Nitec in Community Sport & Recreation Management: Focuses on organising and managing community-level sports events and recreation programmes.
3. Application Process
General Steps
- Choose your programme
Research diploma or ITE courses that match your interests and career goals. - Meet Entry Requirements
Most diploma/ITE programmes require academic qualifications (O-Levels, Nitec/Higher Nitec), a demonstration of passion for sports, and may include fitness or medical assessments. - Apply via the relevant portals
- For Polytechnics: Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE), Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (EAE)
- For ITE: Joint Intake Exercise (JIE)
- Prepare for Interviews and Trials
Certain coaching and sports science diplomas require interviews, fitness tests, and portfolio evidence of sports achievement or volunteer work.
4. What You’ll Learn
Key areas covered across most diplomas and ITE courses:
- Sports science and exercise physiology
- Coaching and training methodologies
- Sports psychology and nutrition
- Event and team management
- Sports business and analytics
- Practical coaching internships and placements
For more details, do contact ITE for information on Technical Diploma in Health & Exercise Coaching. Our HR can also provide you with Work Study Sports internship and testimonials for ITE/Poly course. Contact us.
5. Pathways to a Coaching Career
Certification and Recognition
- SG-Coach Programme
Many diplomas, especially Republic Polytechnic’s Sport Coaching track, include modules aligned with the Singapore Coach Excellence (SG-Coach) framework, which is the national standard for coaching in Singapore. - Internships and Attachments
Most programmes integrate work attachments or practical coaching hours with schools, gyms, clubs, and national sports associations.
From ITE to Polytechnics
Good GPA holders from ITE’s Higher Nitec programmes can apply directly to related polytechnic diplomas. At Skate With Us, we work with many ITE and Polytechnic students who have risen to their ranks from apprentices to head coach at various fitness organisations like Fitness First, Anytime fitness. We are very proud of our Skate With Us Coach Alumni and you can join us to get started on a sports career too.
Graduates can work as
- Assistant, Sports Facilitators, Apprentices or junior coaches in our kindergartens, sports clubs, schools, or private academies
- Fitness trainers or instructors
- Event coordinators in sporting organisations
If you are looking to specialise and upgrade your skills, you can pursue specialist or advanced diplomas, earn additional certifications (e.g., in fitness training or coaching specific sports), and attend workshops or courses offered by Sport Singapore and NSAs. Contact us for an internship today.
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