Sports Development Officer

The Sports Development Officer will play a key role in planning, delivering, and growing Disability Sport Yorkshire’s programmes across schools, communities, and events. The role involves developing partnerships, coordinating inclusive sports sessions and festivals, and supporting training and workforce development. With a focus on creating opportunities for disabled people to be active and involved in sport, the postholder will combine hands-on delivery with strong organisational and communication skills. This is a full-time role based in Wakefield, with a salary of £25,000 per annum, contributing directly to DSY’s mission to make sport accessible for all.

• Location
• Wakefield, United Kingdom, WF2 9EF
• Contact Name
• Mr Craig Shepherd
• Contact Telephone
• 01924 372382
• Contact Email
• cshepherd@disabilitysportyorkshire.org
• Organisation
• Disability Sport Yorkshire

• Salary
• 25000
• Hours
• Full Time
• Contract
• Permanent
• Organisation
• Disability Sport Yorkshire
• Placed On
• Tue 11th November, 2025
• Closes
• 12:00pm - Mon 8th December, 2025
• Sport / Activity
• Disability Sport
• Interview Date
• Thu 11th December, 2025

About Sports Development Officer

Job Title: Sports Development Officer

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Salary: £25,000 per annum
Location: Wakefield (with travel across Yorkshire and the Humber)
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About Disability Sport Yorkshire

Disability Sport Yorkshire (DSY) is the leading charity promoting equality and inclusion in sport and physical activity across Yorkshire and the Humber. We work with schools, community organisations, and national partners to ensure that disabled people can access high-quality, inclusive opportunities to get active, develop skills, and thrive. Our programmes, events, and training initiatives are designed to remove barriers and increase participation, helping to build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.

Job Purpose

The Sports Development Officer will contribute to the planning, delivery, and growth of Disability Sport Yorkshire's programmes, including school sport, community engagement, and inclusive events. The role will focus on developing partnerships, coordinating sessions and festivals, and supporting the delivery of training and workforce development initiatives. This is a hands-on role requiring creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to making sport accessible for everyone.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Delivery and Development

• Support DSY's major programmes such as Activ8andSporting Futures, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
• Plan, deliver, and evaluate inclusive sport and physical activity programmes across Yorkshire.
• Lead school and community sessions that promote participation and skill development.
• Engage with participants, schools, and community partners to ensure activities are inclusive and impactful.
• Collect and record participation data and feedback to inform programme development.

Events and Partnerships

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of inclusive sporting events and festivals.
• Support the development and delivery of the DSY Annual Awardsin collaboration with the Chief Executive and trustees.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, schools, clubs, and local authorities.
• Represent DSY at external meetings, events, and networking opportunities.
• Recruit, coordinate, and support volunteers to assist with project delivery.

Training and Workforce Development

• Support the delivery of inclusive sport training to teachers, coaches, and volunteers.
• Assist with the creation of learning materials and resources that promote best practice in inclusive sport.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration

• Maintain accurate project records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation reports.
• Support funding applications and provide information for project reporting.
• Ensure that safeguarding, health and safety, equality, and all other DSY policies are applied at all times.

General Responsibilities

Every effort has been made to describe the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It is not possible to list each individual task undertaken. In a small team such as DSY, the postholder will be expected to comply with any reasonable request to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

This job description is current at the date shown but, in consultation with the postholder, may be changed by the Board to reflect or anticipate changes in the role commensurate with the grade and job title.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience in sports development, coaching, or physical activity delivery.
• Understanding of inclusive sport and the needs of disabled people.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small, committed team.
• Willingness to travel across Yorkshire and occasionally work evenings or weekends.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and use of digital tools for communication and reporting.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle (or ability to travel effectively using public transport).

Desirable

• Degree or equivalent qualification in sport, leisure, or a related discipline.
• Experience working with schools, community groups, or voluntary organisations.
• Experience of event coordination and volunteer management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, equality, and health & safety requirements.
• Experience in project monitoring, reporting, and basic fundraising.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• An up-to-date CV (maximum two sides of A4).
• A supporting statement (maximum two sides of A4) outlining why you are a strong candidate and how your experience meets the essential criteria.

Please supply details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer. Referees will not be contacted without your consent.

As we work with vulnerable children and adults, this post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Submit applications to cshepherd@disabilitysportyorkshire.org

Closing Date: Monday, 8th December 2025 at 12:00PM
Interviews: Thursday 11th or Monday 15th December 2025

For informal enquiries, please contact Craig Shepherd on 01924 372382.

Disability Sport Yorkshire is an equal opportunities employer. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people and individuals with lived experience of barriers to sport and physical activity.

Supporting Documents:

SDO JD November 2025 (MS Word, 48.4 Kb)

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