Higher Certificate in Sport Management Science

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Sport Management Science empowers learners to obtain the necessary knowledge, skills and practical ability to function within the sport business management environment. This will be achieved by providing a unique blend of comprehensive knowledge, skills and understanding in management and Sport Science. Learners will be competent in analysing and practically applying relevant skills in a global context in the Sport Industry.

On completion of the Higher Certificate in Sport Management Science, learners will be able to

• Apply theoretical and practical scientific techniques within the sport coaching environment.
• Perform and execute sport management and administrative duties and coaching in an ethical manner.
• Understand and apply the contemporary elements of effective marketing strategies in various industries including sport.
• Analyse and apply Sport Management concepts as well as develop an understanding and practice of professional business communication.
• Develop skills to interpret and analyse financial trends and manage financial procedures.
• Plan, co-ordinate and control the complex and diverse activities of modern industrial and commercial projects ethically.

Rationale

Increased professionalisation of sport means that there is a growing demand for qualified personnel, to manage and promote aspects related to sport in an ethical manner. There is a drive from the government (Department of Sport and Recreation) and South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to develop and improve the delivery of knowledge and skills in Sport Management and Sport Science.

An environmental analysis was conducted to obtain the necessary information from industry stakeholders to guide the development of this qualification. An analysis of their input reflected an increased need for specialist sport coordinators, specialists in other fields who require a qualification in Sport Management Science and learners who are able to function in an administrative capacity under supervision.

This has therefore created a need for Sport Management Science learners. The Higher Certificate in Sport Management Science will enable learners to become qualified in a specified Sport Management Science discipline thus meeting the needs of the sport industry.

These specialised posts that require people with Higher Certificate in Sport Management Science include Sport Coordinators, Recreation Officers, Sport Development Officers, Sport Event Coordinators, Gym Administrators, Sport Retail Assistants and entry-level sport coaches. Learners who complete the Higher Certificate in Sport Management Science will be able to fill those positions.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible and is applicable to all prospective candidates to the Department of Sports Studies. The Higher Certificate in Sports Management Science may be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal learning and work experience. If the prospective candidate is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification the appropriate credits would be assigned to the prospective candidate.

The department's RPL process will be aligned to the institutions Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, The purpose of which is to:

• Provide a framework for the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning procedures within the institutions.
• Facilitate access and admission to learning programmes within education and training and career paths.
• Accelerate redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.
• Promote and facilitate lifelong learning.
• Outline general procedures relating to the processing of RPL applications at the institutions.

Entry Requirements

Access to the Higher Certificate is granted to all applicants who meet the minimum entrance requirements which are possession of a:

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

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

Or

• International applicants who are in passion of a qualification that is equivalent to the NSC as determined by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling, 124 Credits.

Compulsory Modules

• Principles of Coaching, 16 Credits.
• Teaching Physical Activity to Children, 16 Credits.
• Sport Business Administration, 12 Credits.
• Cornerstone 101, 12 Credits.
• Communication Skills, 12 Credits.
• Business Economics: Entrepreneurship and Finance, 12 Credits.
• Sport Management 1: Principles of Sport Management, 12 Credits.
• Sport Marketing 1: Principles of Sport Marketing, 12 Credits.
• Project Management, 8 Credits.
• Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 12 Credits.

1. Apply theoretical and practical scientific techniques within a sport coaching environment.
2. Perform and execute Sport Management and administrative duties and coaching in an ethical manner.
3. Understand and apply the contemporary elements of effective marketing strategies in various industries including sport.
4. Analyse and apply Sport Management and coaching concepts and develop an understanding and practice of professional business communication.
5. Interpret and analyse financial trends and manage financial procedures.
6. Plan, co-ordinate and control the complex and diverse activities of modern industrial and commercial projects ethically.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Principles of sport coaching science are applied and evaluated.
• Principles of fitness are practically demonstrated.
• A coaching session for children is designed, implemented and instructed in a professional and ethical manner.
• The musculoskeletal system and the functions of the human body are described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Foundational knowledge of Sport Management and recreation theory and their applications and key concepts related to facility and event management are demonstrated.
• Fundamental knowledge of government structures and governance associated to sport development are expanded.
• Terms, rules, concepts, principles, and theories in strategic sport business management and coaching are understood.
• Essential methods, procedures and techniques related to Human Resource Management, Club Management and Volunteer Management are effectively and ethically applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The importance of strategic planning is understood.
• A Marketing plan is designed and implemented.
• Environmental monitoring and factors that can affect the business environments is understood.
• Market research is conducted for an organisation.
• Consumer buying behaviour processes are understood.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The principles of effective team work are understood and applied.
• Oral and written communication skills are applied in coaching and in the sport business environment.
• Mediums used for effective internal and external communication are identified.
• Technology is used responsibly and ethically to communicate with stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Financial Management procedures are interpreted and applied.
• Economic trends are examined and discussed.
• Business plans are developed and designed incorporating ethical principles and practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Different approaches to problem solving and decision making in managing projects are applied.
• Critical mechanisms to interpret, implement and control projects are identified and evaluated.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessments will combine a number of different elements and will require Learners to bring together different sets of outcomes of learning into a demonstration of applied competence. Integrated assessment will be emphasized in the Higher Certificate in Sport Management Science because it develops the notion of applied competence, which is a central concern of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Applied competence will be achieved by combining practical, foundational and reflective competence. Integrated assessments will:

• Assess a number of outcomes together using written tests, case study reports and/or assignments.
• Assess a number of assessment criteria together using written tests, case study reports and/or assignments.
• Use a various assessment methods and instruments to achieve an outcome/s.

Assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable to ensure that no student is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever, so that an integrated approach to assessment is incorporated into the qualification.

The validity of the assessments will be confirmed through the following strategies

Clarify learning outcomes and their link to specific assessment criteria within an overall assessment strategy will use a range of assessment methods to ensure that all learning outcomes are assessed and establish a link between assessments, learning and personal development.

The reliability of the assessments will be confirmed through the following strategies

• Establish clear, common and manageable assessment criteria.
• Use internal moderators who meet during and after the assessment to compare results.
• Evaluate the assessment criteria for efficacy and relevance.

The term 'Integrated Assessment' implies that theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. During integrated assessments, the assessor will make use of a range of formative and summative assessment methods and assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Continuous assessments in the department of Sport Studies will be provided through:

• Portfolios.
• Simulations.
• Workplace assessments and practical workbooks.
• Written assignments.
• Written tests.
• Case studies and case presentations.
• Peer group evaluation.
• Competency evaluations of clinical skills.
• Face to face contact with Learners.