Survey targets workers in sports industry

Professionals working in the sport, leisure, aquatic and fitness industry are being asked to take part in a national Sportspeople Workplace $urvey.

The survey has been developed by Southern Cross University's School of Exercise Science and Sport Management on behalf of the specialist sports recruitment agency Sportspeople.

Southern Cross University senior lecturer in sport management Dr Dave Arthur said the survey was designed to map the employment and salary trends for the sport, leisure, fitness and aquatic industry.

"The survey covers the whole sphere of jobs from sports managers through to instructor level, and will provide information about employment practices such as the level of education, age and gender, salary trends, tenure and hours of work," Dr Arthur said.

"It will also provide graduates from our School of Exercise Science and Sport Management and other universities with current information on what jobs are available in the industry."

A similar survey conducted in 2003 found that just over half of those surveyed were aged less than 30 years and that more males than females earned salaries over $50,000. The survey also found that Sydney and Melbourne presented the best employment opportunities for sport management professionals.

Sportspeople managing director Mr Robert McMurtrie said the 2005 Sportspeople Workplace $urvey aimed to map any changes to the employment practices of 2003.

"The data collected from 2003 was designed to set the foundation for comparison in future years," Mr McMurtrie said.

"We want to establish the Sportspeople Workplace $urvey as the benchmark measure of employment and salary trends in the sector."

The survey can be completed anonymously and is available online at www.sportspeople.com.au.