The sports, recreation, and fitness industry on PEI
There are a number of career choices in the sports, recreation, and fitness industry on Prince Edward Island, but opportunities are limited. Yet, with a mix of experience, passion, creativity, willingness to volunteer, and a proactive job search approach, it is possible to find meaningful work in the field on Prince Edward Island.
According to the WorkPEI Employment Analysis for PEI, 2,600 people worked in information, culture and recreation in 2024.
According to the Labour Force Survey for PEI, employment in this sector rose by 1200 between March 2025 and March 2024.
Did you know… Canada is a leading sports nation?
Lacrosse is our national summer sport, and has been played by Aboriginal peoples for 1,000 years. Hockey is our national winter sport and was invented in Canada in the 1800s. Basketball was invented by a Canadian in 1891. Today, soccer is the most popular sport among Canadian children.
The Sport and Recreation division of the PEI Department of Health and Wellness provides expertise, funding programs and support to provincial, regional and local partners. This work helps Islanders enjoy the many benefits of participating in sports and recreational activities, and live a healthy, physically active life.
Business in the Open Podcast – Join Vanessa Smith of Refy Agency as she talks to entrepreneurs on PEI in the Sports/ Recreation sector:
Sample job titles in sports, recreation and fitness on PEI
- Coach
- Technical Director
- Executive Director
- Marketing Director
- Communications and Public Relations
- Personal Trainer
- Exercise Physiologist
- Event Organizer
- Fitness Instructor
- Swimming Instructor
- Gymnastics Instructor
- Lifeguard
- Recreation Program Leader
- Facilities Manager
- Ski Patrol
- Sports Physiotherapist
- Dietician
Examples of job options in sports, recreation and fitness on PEI
Junior and professional sports teams on PEI
- Charlottetown Islanders Hockey team | www.charlottetownislanders.com
Sports, recreation and fitness organizations on PEI
Recreation at the municipal level
- City of Charlottetown
- City of Summerside
- Town of Stratford
- Town of Cornwall
- plus other community municipalities
Government
Sport at the K-12/ college/ university level
- PEI School Athletic Association
- UPEI Athletics department
- Holland College Athletics department
- Physical education teachers
Private businesses/clubs
- Fitness, curling, golf
- Physiotherapy centres, dietician, exercise physiologist
Retail
- Sports equipment and apparel
Private businesses
- fitness
- curling
- golf
- physiotherapy centres
- dietician
- exercise physiologist
Sports/Recreation specific education programs/scholarships available on PEI
- Holland College: Sport and Recreation Management program
- Holland College: Kinesiology program
- UPEI: Kinesiology program
- Sport PEI Annual Scholarships
Sports/Recreation – news you can use
- Season 3 of Business in the Open – host Vanessa Smith interviews – 24-year-old Harrison Duffy, owner of Somerset Ice Cream Bar (opened July 7, 2018 at age 16) and the Harry’s Dairy Bar brand. Harrison shares growing up around entrepreneurs, starting a car detailing business at 10 and working various hospitality jobs before planning his dairy bar at 15.
- Season 3 of Business in the Open – Today’s episode features Sheila Kerry, co-owner of Double Loop Running Co.. Sheila details launching a boutique running specialty store with her husband Mike after she began running as an adult and trained for her first Marathon in 2023.
- Older adult loneliness will cost Canada billions – lifelong career development can change that
Occupational Profiles
WorkPEI provides a searchable directory of occupations which includes job outlooks for PEI. Use the Occupations Directory to search and download over 500 occupational profiles.
PEI Employers
WorkPEI maintains a searchable directory of its member employers. View an employer’s company profile to learn more about the business, browse active job listings, locate the business on a map and more.
Related videos
Programs Holland College offers across PEI such as Sport & Recreation Management