Overview
Sport Management is a relatively new discipline which was introduced in the United States of America as a postgraduate degree. It was mostly graduates in Physical Education who furthered their studies in the field to obtain a theoretical background in the management of sport at school and university level.
In South Africa, the former Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) introduced the first BCom degree in Sport Management, in 1989. The former Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) introduced a National Diploma in Sport Management in 1996. The recent merger between the TWR and RAU created a new comprehensive institution, the University of Johannesburg, which has organised the previous two academic programs into one Department that offer a wide spectrum of programs ranging from certificated courses to postgraduate degrees.
Who Should Apply?
The candidates that normally enrol for the programs are individuals who are involved in sport through either watching or participating in sport. These individuals are also interested in organising and managing events, frequently read about sport and actively express their own opinions about sport. If you would like to know more about the industry and all the aspects of the industry consider a career in Sport Management.
Entry Requirements
20/21 points on the APAS system is required. If Mathematics is taken an applicant needs 20 points for entry, otherwise if Maths Literacy is taken into account, 21 points are required.
What will you be doing?
The University of Johannesburg has a unique approach to Sport Management. We train students to become professional sport managers. This means that you do not have to be a top athlete to study Sport Management. You will learn all the skills to work behind the scenes to help and manage athletes in their quest to stardom. Students will gain practical skills and theoretical insight to enable them to meet the demands of the modern sport industry.
The majors include Sport Management and Sport and Physical Recreation Studies. Sport Management equips you with management skills that will enable you to manage a sport organisation successfully. These skills include general management, human recourse management for club managers, accounting for club managers, facility management and event management.
Sport and Physical Recreation Studies focus on improving your knowledge and ability to work with athletes. These skills include exercise prescription, coaching skills, metal performance, and working with special groups.
The other modules in the Diploma are: Marketing, Personal Selling, Business Communication, End-user Computing and Public Relations. These modules place emphasis on the marketing of sport organisations.
A strong component of practical and in-service training opportunities compliments the theoretical subjects. Students are required to complete coaching, officiating, volunteer and community service programs during their studies. This will total 900 hours of in-service work that will expose students to real-life working experiences.
Career Opportunities
Sport management is an exciting discipline that offers a wide variety of career options. The following career options are not meant to be definite, but give you a broad view of the nature of the as well as the skills and personal characteristics required. Possible career opportunities include:
- Sport administrator,
- Facility manager,
- Club and recreation centre manager,
- Professional coach,
- Fitness trainer,
- Sport marketer,
- Sport sponsorship manager,
- Event manager and marketer.
These are not the only careers in sport management. There are many specialised careers, a few of which are mentioned below.
- Sport commissions,
- Sport finance,
- Sporting goods retailing,
- Community development,
- Sport and recreation consulting.
Studying towards the National Diploma: Sport Management at the University of Johannesburg, is an enriching experience that will prepare you for an exciting and rewarding career in sport management!
Additional Information
Should you require additional information about this programme, kindly contact:
Mr Chris Fortuin
Telephone: +27 (0)11 559 3620
chrisf@uj.ac.za