Involvement opportunities

Question 1

Name one career in sport or physical recreation. (1)

Answer 1

PE or dance teacher

• Coach or manager
• Official
• (Sports) physiotherapist
• Sports or events management
• Professional sportsperson / professional dancer
• Sports Scientist
• Personal Trainer
• Dietician or nutritionist
• Sports journalist or sports commentator

Question 2

Explain how studying GCSE Physical Education may be of benefit to a student who is choosing to follow the career named above. (2)

Answer 2

Award two marks for explaining how studying GCSE Physical Education may be of benefit to a student who is choosing to follow the career named in (a).

• PE teacher – GCSE PE covers a wide variety of activities or roles / needed to be able to teach National Curriculum.
• Coach – opportunity to develop coaching skills as a role in GCSE PE / in depth knowledge in a particular sport.
• Official – opportunity to develop officiating skills as a role in GCSE PE / in depth knowledge of rules in a particular sport.
• Sports physiotherapist – GCSE PE theory work covers understanding of skeletal and muscular systems / applicable to the treatment or prevention of injuries.
• Sports management – organisational skills developed as a role in GCSE PE / to ensure the efficient or effective running of a sports event.
• Professional sportsperson – GCSE PE provides opportunities to develop skills and fitness through performing practically / supports personal development.
• Sports scientist – GCSE PE theory knowledge about the body / and the impact it has on performance.
• Personal trainer – GCSE PE theory knowledge about the body / planning or designing training programmes.

Question 3

GCSE PE is an example of an examination-based course.

Give an example of a sports qualification and state how it may encourage an individual to become involved in or stay involved in physical activity or sport (2)

Answer 3

Award one mark for giving an example of a sports qualification and one further mark for stating how it may encourage an individual to become involved in or stay involved in physical activity or sport.

• Leadership or coaching awards / encourages people to stay involved in sport as a career.
• Sports Performance or Proficiency awards / provide rewards for participants to provide motivation for continued participation.
• Referee or Umpiring Awards / allows people to participate in an activity if not wanting to participate as a player or allows players to become officials after playing days are over.

Question 4

Describe what is meant by an ‘amateur sports performer’. (2)

Answer 4

An amateur sports performer is someone who takes part in an activity as a hobby / rather than for financial gain / not their main job / take part for fun / could be at a lower level.

Question 5

State three ways an amateur sports performer could obtain funding.(3)

Answer 5

Award up to three marks for ways an amateur sports performer could obtain funding.

• Sponsorship deals
• Occupation – a job that allows paid time off to train and compete.
• Expenses payments
• Scholarships – universities or schools can offer sports scholarships
• Lottery grants
• NGB grants
• Parental contributions
• Fundraising
• Donations

Question 6

Many schools now allow pupils to take examination-based courses and sports performance awards.

Describe three advantages for the individual or the school to be gained from participation in these. (6)

Answer 6

Award one mark for each stated advantage and a further one mark for the
accompanying description. (3 × 2 marks).

Individual’s advantage:

• Increased knowledge about sport, health and fitness/will make individuals
more aware of their bodies and the need for good health and fitness.

• Career advancement/better prepared for a career in sport or allow entry
onto further/higher education courses.

• Greater subject choice for the students.

School’s advantage:

• Makes better use of school facilities/it is like having an additional subject.

• Raises the profile of the subject, improves status/seen as same as other exam
subjects and not just as a core or non-exam subject.

• Raises the profile of the school with more GCSE passes.

Question 7

Give three ways in which groups such as senior citizens can be encouraged to participate in sport and physical activity. (3)

Answer 7

Three might include:

• Focusing publicity / promotions / campaigns
• Providing appropriate facilities / equipment
• Providing affordable prices
• Providing special sessions at convenient times
• Offer a variety of activities
• Providing specialist coaches
• Providing one to one support
• Providing appropriate competition
• Playing with participants of similar ability
• Ensuring ease of access / community availability / linked transport

Question 8

Give two reasons for participating as a part-time professional player. (2)

Answer 8

Two such as:

• paid for playing;
• paid for another job;
• alternative careers;
• long term prospects;
• fall-back options in the event of failure;
• fall-back option in the event of early retirement.

Question 9

Give three different ways in which volunteers help to keep amateur sports clubs running. (3)

Answer 9

Three such as:

• acting as club committee officials;
• acting as a development officer;
• fund-raising;
• collecting donations;
• liaising with the press;
• laundering the kit;
• transporting players;
• coaching the team;
• officiating/ running a line;
• organising fixtures;
• match day ‘odd-job’ man;
• maintaining the ground (buildings and playing surfaces);
• stewarding the social facilities.

Question 10

Give two jobs linked to sports science. (2)

Answer 10

Two such as:

• physiotherapist/osteopath;
• psychologist;
• research scientist/designer of sports equipment;
• nutritionist/dietician;
• masseur;
• a personal trainer;
• a fitness coach/instructor.