Explore unit group
- Version:
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3
5251 – Athletes
Athletes participate in competitive sports events on an amateur or professional basis. They play team sports such as hockey, baseball, football and lacrosse; or compete in individual sports such as skiing, figure skating, boxing or track and field; or in games such as poker or chess. They are employed by professional team organizations or they may be self-employed.
Profile
Index of titles Example job titles
- Amateur athlete
- Archer
- Athlete
- Automobile racer
- Badminton player
- Baseball player
- Basketball player
- Billiard player
- Bowler
- Boxer
- Canoeist
- Chess player
- Chuckwagon driver
- Chuckwagon racer - stampede
- Competitor - chess
- Competitor - gambling
- Coxswain
- Curler
- Cyclist
- Demolition driver
- Discus thrower
- Diver - olympic sport
- Fencer
- Figure skater
- Football player
- Footballer
- Gamer - video games
- Golf player
- Golfer
- Gymnast
- Hammer thrower
- Handball player
- Harness race driver
- Harness racing driver
- Helmsman - sports
- Hockey player
- Javelin thrower
- Jockey
- Judoka
- Jumper
- Pentathlete
- Ping-pong player
- Poker player
- Prize fighter
- Professional athlete
- Professional boxer
- Professional pool player
- Professional sportsman/woman
- Race car driver
- Rider
- Rodeo performer
- Rower
- Sailboarder
- Short-distance runner
- Shot put
- Skater
- Skier
- Snowboarder
- Soccer player
- Sprinter
- Stampede performer
- Stampede racer
- Standardbred pacer
- Stock car racer
- Sulky driver
- Swimmer
- Table tennis player
- Tennis player
- Track athlete
- Volleyball player
- Water-polo player
- Weight-lifter
- Wrestler
- Athlete
- Baseball player
- Boxer
- Figure skater
- Football player
- Golfer
- Harness race driver
- Hockey player
- Jockey
- Professional athlete
- Skier
- Sprinter
- Track athlete
Inclusions
- Competitor - gambling
- Gamer - video games
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Train under the direction of a coach or trainer to qualify for competition
- Attend scheduled practice and training sessions
- Participate in local, regional, provincial, national or international competitions and sporting events
- Assess performance after an event to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Employment requirements
- Demonstrated ability in a particular sport, or type of game, is required.
- Extensive training under the supervision of a coach is required.
- Certification with a particular sports federation may be required.
- A background combining athletic training and college or university studies is strongly recommended.
Additional information
Exclusions
- Coaches (5252)
- Sports instructors (in 5254 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness)
- Sports officials and referees (5253)
Breakdown summary
- Broad occupational category
- 5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
- Skill level
- B – Occupations usually require college education or apprenticeship training.
- Major group
- 52 – Technical occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport
- Minor group
- 525 – Athletes, coaches, referees and related occupations
- Associated Career Handbook profiles
- 5251.0 – Athletes
- Version
- NOC 2016 Version 1.3