Advanced Diploma in Sport Management

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Sport Management is developed to equip learners with knowledge and skills that will enable them to develop tools and techniques that are required in the management of sport, fitness and recreation enterprises, sports organisations and individuals involved in sport and fitness activities. This qualification will also prepare learners to promote good governance, professionalism and expertise within the sport, fitness and recreation environment.

The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Sport Management is also to prepare learners for post graduate studies through the deepening of their knowledge and understanding of theories, methodologies and practices related to sport management.

This qualification enables learners to develop the ability to formulate, undertake and resolve more theoretical and practice related problems and tasks within the sport, fitness and recreation industry.

Upon qualifying the learner will be able to

• Develop tools, strategies and practices to establish and enhance the marketing of sport, fitness and recreation enterprises, organisations and personalities.
• Develop and plan strategic fitness and recreation programmes.
• Integrate and apply strategic, operational and leadership principles and practices with full cognisance of ethical and environmental considerations within a sport, fitness and recreation establishment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of academic research methods and designs used within the field of sport management.

Rationale

The 2012 South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) report on South African sport academies revealed the following challenges faced by sport federations and organisations:

• Lack of clearly defined and administered policies.
• Poor monitoring and evaluation of programmes, events and activities.
• Lack of capacitated sport administrators.

This qualification will breach the current skills gap by positively impacting on the management of sports organisations, on the integration of sports within the community to promote healthy lifestyles and on the ability of individuals in the community (learners) to host international events.

The Advanced Diploma in Sport Management will accommodate individuals and sport professionals who are interested in contributing to sport administration and management. Possible careers that learners of this qualification will access include: sport administrators, sport co-ordinators, sport officers, sport managers and sport marketers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

As per the institutional policy, credits towards this qualification may be obtained by means of recognition of prior learning (RPL). Candidates who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements but who can demonstrate satisfactory levels of competence in the field may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning and may be granted entry to the qualification on this basis.

Entry Requirements

Learners with the following achievements will be afforded entry into this qualification

• A Diploma in Sport Management, Level 6.

Or

• A relevant Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7.

The qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 with Credits totalling 120.

• Sport Management IV, 30 Credits.
• Sport Marketing IV, 30 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 30 Credits.
• Sport, Fitness and Recreation Studies IV, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to develop tools, strategies and practices to establish and enhance the marketing of sport, fitness and recreation enterprises, organisations and personalities.
2. Demonstrate the ability to develop and plan strategic fitness and recreation programmes.
3. Integrate and apply strategic, operational and leadership principles and practices with full cognisance of ethical and environmental considerations within a sport, fitness and recreation establishment.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of academic research methods and designs used within the field of sport management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• An understanding of human management and fiscal and physical resources as they relate to sport is demonstrated.
• Skillful operation of technology and assessment related tools that may be applied to various sport management settings are demonstrated.
• Fundamental marketing concepts appropriate to the sport industry are applied.
• The uniqueness of the sport product and the unique aspects of sport consumer and sport product markets are considered during the development of marketing processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Fitness and recreation programmes for groups and individuals are planned and developed.
• The critical elements of a turf management programme are understood and explained.
• A strategic management plan is designed and executed for a sport event.
• Components of a sport specific risk management plan are identified.
• The cultural traditions, social values, and psycho-social experiences related to sport are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Critical performance dimensions which serve as a focus for business units and employees are identified and analysed.
• Performance standards are developed to serve as a basis to measure actual performance.
• Knowledge of the concepts of management and leadership are demonstrated and the various skills, roles, and functions of sport managers are described.
• Concepts of morality and theories of ethics as they apply to sport are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Knowledge of the steps in the research process is demonstrated.
• Different research designs are identified and linked to suitable research studies.
• Knowledge of writing a proposal is demonstrated.
• The ability to communicate with various public and professional audiences through written texts, oral discussions, and multi-media presentations is demonstrated.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment strategies are continuous and aimed at giving learners feedback on their progress in the achievement of learning outcomes as well as to integrate theoretical and practical competence. Such strategies include informal assignments, discussions, case studies, informal tests and tutoring.

Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of the learners during classes. Summative assessment strategies are aimed at judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such strategies include examinations, reports, projects or equivalent such as a portfolio of evidence.

The outcomes of the formal assignments and tests will contribute to a cumulative class mark as per pre-arrangement with the learners. In the formal assignments and tests, and in the respective examinations learners will have to demonstrate the ability to communicate and integrate knowledge of the key issues, highlighted in the respective modules, and identify and resolve typical problems in the subfields as indicated. This will require critical and creative thinking as well as the ability to apply the exit level outcomes in practical simulated situations.