How to become A Sports Scout

Sports Scouts play a critical role in talent identification and recruitment in elite sports. Their unique ability to spot potential talent at college, amateur or professional levels has enormous career and performance implications for the athletes and the sports organisations they represent.

• Sports Talent Evaluator
• Sports Recruiter
• Basketball Scout
• Football Scout 
• Baseball Scout 
• Cross Country/Track and Field Scout 
• Volleyball Scout 
• Golf Scout 
• Hockey Scout 
• Tennis Scout

What do Sports Scouts do?

A Sports Scout would typically need to:

• Travel across the globe to help sports teams and organisations find and sign up the athletes that best suit their needs
• Meet with coaches or general managers of the team/organisation to understand their specific personnel needs
• Search for, observe and assess promising and established athletes in a particular sport to determine if they are fit to play immediately or need additional training
• Access all possible sources, attend games, view videos and study available statistics to have an early shot at accurately determining the talent and potential of athletes
• Scout for high school athletes for enrolment in athletic scholarship attainment service
• Take and maintain detailed notes of all players in a game, with particular attention paid to a chosen few
• Compile, understand and analyse statistics pertinent to the particular sport and athletes 
• Present a list of potential players, including their rating, age, height, weight and impressions from personal interviews to the coach/general manager 
• Hold insightful discussions with the athletes and their coaches to confirm the readiness of the athlete and offer relevant recommendations
• Confer with the coach, manager or owner of the team/organisation they represent about potential recruits
• Reach a consensus on the ways to attract prospective draftees and offer a package that will induce the athlete into joining their team/organisation
• Attend an optimal number and record all professional games in the sport they specialise in to gather information about opposing teams as well
• Use their understanding of opponents’ abilities and team strategies to help develop plans that will offset the opponents’ strength
• Organise the college game library, if employed by an educational institution

Sports Scouts often work outdoors unless they are attending meetings and compiling research in their office. Domestic and international travel averaging around three weeks/month is quite common in their quest to identify and evaluate promising talent.

Workdays spent on the road are frequently long; expect to work evenings, weekends and holidays travelling to meet with players and watch games at different locations during the season. Sports Scouts typically spend the offseason on research or following players who could be the next big thing. 

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Sports Scouts can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms and leveraging social media. In addition, self-employment is a viable option.

Scouts are generally employed by:

• Colleges, Universities & Professional Schools 
• Elementary & Secondary Schools
• Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Sectors
• Independent Sports Organizations
• Major League Clubs & International Teams
• High School Athletes

Professional associations and organisations, such as Sports Management World Wide (SMWW), are crucial for Scouts interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Extended periods away from home and family due to frequent travel across the country and the globe
• Intensely competitive profession with minimal positions at college and professional levels
• Mediocre wages
• High probability of an expensive mismatch between the potential and actual performance of a recruit

Colleges that offer sports administration studies, sports management and physical education have intern programmes with sports teams. If you do not have access to such internships, write to professional groups and volunteer to intern to gain valuable hands-on experience.

You will gain optimal benefit from your tasks outside of the classroom when they line up perfectly with your lessons inside it. In addition, you may get to hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they manage to turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments. 

Individuals interested in a career as a Sports Scout should participate in sporting events at the high school and college level. It helps you gain traction with the sport, showcases your passion for the same, and sharpens your ability to spot young players who have exceptional skills.

Many sports scouts are retired athletes or professional/college coaches who use their knowledge and professional network to scout for younger talent. They acquire years of practical knowledge through in-person competition and make valuable contacts in the sporting world.

Although experience playing a sport at college or professional level can be highly beneficial, one cannot discount the knowledge gained through physical education classes and any participation in a sport; especially the one individual wishes to scout for. 

Any opportunity to read about the profession and shadow/interview sports scouts will be to your advantage in gaining a deeper insight into the local sports activity while keeping track of promising sportspersons and making vital business connections.

As members of this group who gather and exchange information about sports, coaches, broadcasters and journalists are also valuable sources of insight into sports scouting.

Sports Scouts typically need a bachelor's degree in sports administration studies, physical education, marketing, sales or sports management. Other common majors include kinesiology, criminal justice, communications, general studies, psychology, political science and history. 

Familiarity with health, physical education teaching/coaching, and sports management/fitness administration will add to your insight into the career. Additional knowledge in customer and personal service, personnel and human resources and the English language will help you stand out amongst your peers in a competitive job market.

High school courses including physical education, business studies, English, psychology and public speaking will help you get a solid start in this profession. Furthermore, fluency in languages such as Spanish and French will help you connect with foreign players, who are increasingly sought after by Major League teams.

Certification demonstrates a Scout’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination.

Voluntary certification in data science & analytics, scouting, communication, leadership and customer service from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and allow you to become an independent consultant.

In addition, certification in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the Heimlich manoeuver and basic first aid will only prove advantageous.

Acquisition of significant experience and a solid reputation will help Sports Scouts progress through the ranks in the sport they choose to specialise in until they assume supervisory, managerial or training roles.

If the chances of becoming your present team’s Scout Director seem unlikely, location to a more prestigious team may help career advancement.

Candidates with the ability to spot potential talent and persuade promising athletes to sign up with their team/organisation have the best job prospects.

Sports Scouts who continue to build personal skills and proficiency and keep abreast of the latest developments in the field will hold their own in this highly competitive field. Additional certifications in athlete management and digital video editing courses can make it easier to don managerial and training roles.

The Perks of the Profession

Despite the myriad challenges it poses, Sports Scouting has a lot to offer. Sports teams come second to none in providing a sense of family and all the advantages that come with it. Often, job satisfaction is a given. 

Throw in paid vacation, health insurance, pension plans and reimbursements for travel and miscellaneous expenses while getting to watch for free the sport of their choice - and you get a comprehensive picture of why there is such stiff competition to become a Sports Scout, especially with professional teams. 

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Sports Scouts have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Sports Scout has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Pool scouting, a relatively new concept, involves a team of Scouts, working for a professional scouting organisation, furnishing data on various players to more than one team simultaneously. 

If you can brave the demanding, competitive and stressful environment while helping put together a strong team of well-matched players who will bring immense joy and satisfaction to enthusiasts of the sport, rest assured you will make an excellent Sports Scout. 

Read the sports news and periodicals specific to the sport you are interested in. Keep tabs on the comings and goings of Sports Scouts to your school or college to have first-hand access to professional advice.