How to become a recreation, sports and fitness program and service director
Official title: Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
Also called: Sports director, Leisure director, Racetrack director, Recreation manager, Director of leisure, Recreation director, Cruise ship director, Fitness club manager, Amateur sport manager, Horse racing director, Director of recreation, Fitness centre manager
Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of comprehensive recreational, sports and fitness programs and services, national or provincial sports governing agencies and professional athletic teams. They are employed by municipalities, community and private recreational and fitness organizations, sports governing agencies and professional athletic team organizations.
Main tasks
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of recreation, sports and fitness programs and services
- Provide technical and professional advice on recreation, sports and fitness matters
- Prepare budget estimates and develop policies and procedures to implement programs
- Manage the operations of a sports governing agency
- Organize and administer national and provincial training, coaching, officiating and other programs associated with a particular sport
- Manage the operations of a professional athletic team
- Recruit professional coaches and athletes
- Direct fundraising drives and arrange for sponsorships from public and private organizations
How to become one
A university degree in recreology, physical education, sports administration or a related field or A college diploma in recreation management or sports administration is usually required. Several years of experience in an occupation related to recreation and sports administration, consulting or programming are usually required. Some directors of recreation may be required to have a Municipal Recreation Director's Certificate. Executive directors of sports governing agencies may be required to have coaching certification in a particular sport.
Ways in
- University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 9 universities in Canada
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $71,429 a year The middle half earn $56,258 to $105,008.
- About 5,800 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 6,800 are projected by 2033. (+17.2%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a recreation, sports and fitness program and service director?
A university degree in recreology, physical education, sports administration or a related field or A college diploma in recreation management or sports administration is usually required. Several years of experience in an occupation related to recreation and sports administration, consulting or programming are usually required. Some directors of recreation may be required to have a Municipal Recreation Director's Certificate. Executive directors of sports governing agencies may be required to have coaching certification in a particular sport.
How much does a recreation, sports and fitness program and service director earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $71,429 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $56,258 to $105,008.
Is a recreation, sports and fitness program and service director a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 17% by 2033, from about 5,800 to about 6,800 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a recreation, sports and fitness program and service director?
Not always. 47% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Allied Health degrees.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03