You love sports, but you’ll probably never be a professional athlete of any kind, and you’ll probably never compete in the Olympic games. It’s okay; join the club. For those of us who eat, sleep and dream sports, there are still many ways you can be involved and (almost) live the dream.

There are plenty of jobs available within the sports industry to consider, and we’ve rounded up 10 of them that’ll help get you close(r) to the action.

10. Sports Statistician

This profession is growing like crazy. The role of a sports statistician can be pretty varied, but most sports teams, organizations and sports media outlets need people to examine and analyze team/player data and statistics.

Many decisions are made based on the data statisticians collect, in terms of strategy, team organization, hiring, and recruiting, for example.

This career requires experience in advanced mathematics and a high-level understanding of statistics, so if you’re educated and knowledgeable in those areas, this might be a great career choice to explore.

9. Product Developer/Industrial Designer

Product Developers and Industrial Designers working in the sports industry create, build, design, shape and test all types of products for the sporting world, from clothing and apparel to gear and equipment. This career path can offer a wide variety of opportunities in the sporting world.

Education requirements and emphasis revolve around conceptual problem-solving and engineering, and it helps to have an entrepreneurial spirit.

8. Fitness Program Coordinator

Do you have great organizational skills and love coming up with new ideas? Becoming a Fitness Program Coordinator might interest you. Most Coordinators plan and implement individual and group fitness activities in a wide array of settings.

In addition to fitness clubs, many companies, hotels, resorts and community centers offer and support fitness programs and need help developing and maintaining them. Other responsibilities may include developing and teaching health education or nutrition programs. A background or experience in exercise and physiology is recommended.

Other careers to consider in this field include Fitness Directors, Wellness Managers and Sports & Fitness Coordinators.

7. Sports Marketing Professional

The world of sports marketing can be very exciting due to the sheer amount of advertising and promotion brands and teams need these days. It’s generally a fast-paced, energetic and competitive environment to work in, and job perks like free tickets to sporting events and the chance to meet athletes make it a very popular career.

Sports Marketers combines fields such as advertising, public relations and marketing to create and implement campaign strategies, from stadium billboards to TV commercials, for example. There are dozens of positions with the potential for great job growth in many different categories such as sports marketing firms, corporate sports marketing divisions, and sports leagues.

Education: Many people start in entry-level positions and move their way up.

6. Sports Information Director

This is a great job for a sports junkie who can be a Jack-of-all-trades. A Sports Information Director will need to be able to communicate across many departments and personalities and enjoys the idea of working closely with a team, coaches and athletic departments, as well as the media.

The duties of an SID run the gamut; from putting together media guides for players or teams to writing press releases, tracking statistics and coordinating interviews and press conferences, to name just a few.

Education: Typically, candidates for this position are required to have a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a focus in journalism, communications, marketing or public relations.

5. Sports Photojournalist

A sports photojournalist basically documents sporting events and takes photographs of the event, action shots of the athletes in play, the fans, and the place — all for media purposes. It sounds glamorous, but it can also be a very hectic and exhausting job. Most photojournalists spend a lot of time on their feet during sporting events. They are required to travel quite a bit and many keep irregular hours.

The upside is that there are a plethora of media outlets and sports organizations that employ sports photojournalists, so there are quite a few opportunities out there.

Sharp photography skills and a creative viewpoint are often enough to land you a job as a photojournalist, and many begin their careers with smaller organizations, local newspapers or as freelance photographers.

4. Sports Event Coordinator

Here’s some good news. The demand for event coordinators is growing and is expected to increase by 44 percent by 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, so it’s a great time to enter into that field.

The responsibilities and duties of a sports events coordinator are varied and multi-faceted. They act as the liaison between the sporting team and the event facilities. In addition to regularly meeting with the team or athlete’s representatives to discuss event needs, you’ll be required to negotiate contract costs, arrange transportation, organize and coordinate the schedule, acquire appropriate security and accommodation for media, and handle any auto-visual equipment needs.

Experience/education requirements: hospitality management and a few years of relevant work experience will help get your foot in the door.

3. Sports Physical Therapist

Sports physical therapists create rehabilitation programs, diagnose injuries, develop treatment plans and oversee the general rehabilitation process for injured athletes. The work can be physically demanding since therapists often stand for long periods and assist patients in the process of therapy, but it is considered to be a very fulfilling career by many. Compassion, communication and problem-solving are great skills to have in this profession.

Education: A post-graduate professional degree, usually a Doctoral degree, is the standard, and Board-certification is strongly recommended. All states require physical therapists to be licensed.

2. Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers provide a multitude of medical care services, usually in collaboration with a physician or an entire sports medicine team. Most trainers work with schools, colleges, medical offices or professional sports teams. Much of the job consists of working with individual athletes to develop treatment plans and preventative care plans, but they also deliver first aid to athletes during play and frequently need to make immediate assessments of injuries.

Athletic trainers are required to get a bachelor’s degree. A master’s degree is preferred, but not required in many cases. Most states require licensure or Board-certification in order to practice.

1. Clinical Sports Psychologists

An athlete needs to be healthy in both mind and body. A sports psychologist helps to ensure the athlete is setting the right goals in order to optimize their performance. They can assist with anything from mental health problems like depression and eating disorders to performance anxiety, loss of focus and burnout. They can also help athletes cope with the pressure of competition.

Many universities and professional teams employ sports psychologists as part of their sports program.

This career path can require post-graduate education with additional clinical or counseling program credits.

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