Higher Certificate in Sport Administration

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Sport Administration is to empower learners with the knowledge and skills required to be efficient in Business Administration, providing them with the grounding to find employment in administrative areas of sport. The curriculum will empower the learners with an understanding of Business in the areas of Finance, Marketing, Sales, Organisational Behaviour and Resource Management. A large portion of the curriculum will focus on Governance where Legal, Ethical and Constitutional aspects will be covered. There will be a focus on the South African sporting industry and its history, combining this with the administrative areas of the curriculum to create a complete qualification that effectively prepares learners for the working environment in the industry.

Rationale

This Higher Certificate in Sport Administration prepares its qualifying learners for work in various sectors of the sports industry. These sectors include the following:

• Non-Government Organisations - sport and social development programmes
• Public/government (national, provincial, district, regional, local and agencies)
• Education institutions (schools, academies and tertiary institutions)
• Administrative (federations and teams)
• Sports team management.
• Sports clubs (single and multi-sport)
• Private and entrepreneurial (manufacturing, tourism, sports coaching and skills, sports goods, management organisation and information technology)
• Services (sports medicine, talent development, wellness, consulting, coaching, Public Relations and communication and marketing)
• Sports events.
• Fitness (trainers, health promotion and physical activities)
• Sport and recreation and fitness facility management.
• Community-based sport development and mass participation programmes.

The role of sport in South Africa continues to grow in social and economic importance. This qualification has been designed to meet this demand. Sports administration and managerial competencies are essential in the delivery of effective (strategy and governance) and efficient (sustainable and profitable) sports entities.

The reason for this qualification is

• To provide athletes with an opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming professional sports people.
• Enable them to develop personally (through education)
• Provide them with career options in the event that their professional sports careers do not work out.
• Provide aspirant (or volunteer) sport administrators, managers and leaders with a sound foundation in their careers.

This qualification aims to educate and train learners in the field of sports administration. A sound theoretical base combined with practical experience will enable the sport administrator to apply her/his knowledge and skills in the workplace. This qualification has an objective of developing lifelong learning and development skills, knowledge, values and attitudes for all learners. Learners meeting the requirements of this qualification will be positioned to further their learning, practice, experience and career within the sports industry.

The Higher Certificate in Sport Administration is a step in a planned learning pathway that underpins a career in sports administration and management. The qualification will enhance a learner's career progression in the sports industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The achievement of the Higher Certificate in Sport Administration can be wholly or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Granting of the qualification to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal education is possible. They need to prove that they can demonstrate knowledge and skills that meet the assessment criteria as stipulated in the qualification.

The RPL process entails awarding credits to learners for the Higher Certificate in Sport Administration. They must show that they have developed the necessary competence as a result of workplace or experiential learning.

RPL may be relevant for learners who do not have a National Senior Certificate, to gain access to the Higher Certificate in Sport Administration.

Learners applying for RPL will be thoroughly briefed before the assessment process and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in a prescribed format. Assessment of this portfolio will be for formal recognition. Evidence provided needs to be pertinent to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

• A National Certificate (Vocational), NQF Level 4, granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 5,120 Credits

• Business Basics, 24 Credits.
• Governance in Administration, 20 Credits.
• South African Sport, 20 Credits.
• Business Organisation, 20 Credits.
• Physical Resource Management, 20 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the basics of core business functions (as they relate to sport entities).
2. Promote and apply administrative principles of good governance in sport organisations and structures to support sustainability.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of apartheid on SA sport and its historical and current implications for sport performance and the sport industry.
4. Organise and establish a sport business organisation to enhance operational effectiveness.
5. Assist with the management of physical resources tasks.
6. Reflect on what they have learned about themselves and apply practically their knowledge, attitude, skills and values.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate the principles of revenue (and its generation) and expenses to determine profit or loss (the income statement).
• Develop and analyse budgets as an essential financial instrument of sports entities.
• Implement sound financial and business principles are implemented in the operational environment to comply and promote best practices.
• Describe the principles of marketing (production, promotion, place and price)
• Conduct and analyse market research (primary and secondary) for use in strategies.
• Develop marketing plans which meet the strategic aims of the entity.
• Develop promotional campaigns for teams and athletes.
• Develop principles of sales, with a specific focus on sponsorship and membership.
• Create sponsorship proposals (individual, team, entity) for potential funders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Determine the role and function of good governance for SA sports entities and structures.
• Demonstrate sports business leadership and ethics.
• Conduct administration activities to meet organisational requirements and standards.
• Understand the impact of good governance on the operational sustainability of SA sports entities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Identify community structures to address sport development.
• Describe socio-cultural dynamics in sport participation.
• Demonstrate leadership and mentoring skills within community-based sport structures.
• Create youth participant development programmes that focus on community development and health promotion.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop and understand structures to meet operational requirements.
• Discuss organisational behaviour and its influence on employees.
• Consider HR practices (with specific reference to the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Explain the administration systems and processes in the context of physical resources (facilities and equipment).
• Cater to the unique needs and people with disabilities.
• Describe operational functions in accordance with best practice.
• Understand the principles of human resources management in the context of facility requirements.
• Consider the accessibility of sport and sports resources to the broader SA community.
• Demonstrate local government integration in the development of sports facilities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Gain confidence while learning.
• Complete a range of practical tasks and work-based learning.

Integrated Assessment

The integrated assessment assesses theoretical and practical components together. Wherever possible the assessment of the integration of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values takes place. The assessor will use a range of formative and summative assessment tools and methods. Assessment of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies will ensure that all Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria are in an integrated way.

Integrated assessment will evaluate the learner's ability to combine actions and ideas across a range of activities and knowledge areas. The integrated assessment must accurately assess the learner's ability to:

• Demonstrate competence using the practical application of the embedded knowledge in a manner that meets the required performance standards required.
• Illustrate a clear understanding of the concepts, theory and principles that underpin the practical action taken.