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Sport Manager
Sport managers organize sporting events and coordinates sport programmes at various institutes or centres, such as gymnasiums and sports clubs.

Because millions of rands are spent on sport and recreation yearly, sport managers must design and develop organization structures and management systems to control large-scale investments and sponsorships.

Sport managers design and manage scientific training programmes for sportspeople and may give advice about obtaining sponsors. They also manage training programmes for ordinary people who want to keep fit. Some manage enterprises such as gymnasiums or sports clubs.

They make decisions with regard to marketing, investments and sponsorships, as well as the handling of financial matters. They are often involved in personnel matters such as selection, recruitment and development. They ensure that equipment is kept in good order, prepare staff timetables and prepare budgets.

Sport managers may help to plan and design sporting and recreation complexes, and do research in the fields of training, fitness, diet, equipment and apparatus.

They advise sports bodies on recreation plans and policies.

They may specialize in a particular field and need to have a thorough knowledge of various types of sport, as well as the human body. Many sport managers have coaching experience. They need to have a natural ability to motivate and inspire others. The Comrades Marathon road race is an example of the work in which a sport manager is involved.

Satisfying Aspects
- frequently meeting new people
- helping others to lead a healthy life, become fit and know their own boundaries
- variety of the work

Demanding aspects
- working long hours
- being on your feet most of the day
- working with uncooperative people
- frustrations trying to inspire people who do not take care of themselves

Requirements
The sport manager should:
- be able to plan, organize and coordinate;
- be able to negotiate;
- express himself clearly;
- communicate well with people;
- have a keen interest in sport and management;
- have a natural ability to motivate and inspire others

School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course

Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.

Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mathematics, Business Science, Accountancy

Training
Degree: Sports Education or Sports Management -
NMMU, UJ, US, UWC, UP, UV

Diploma: N.Dip: Sports Administration and Marketing or Sport Management – CPUT, TUT, CUT, VUT, Boland and Northlink FETs, ETA, Rosebank College, Varsity College

Post-graduate: degrees in Sport Management are also offered with specialization in Sport Management, Exercise Science, Sport Sociology, Sport Psychology, Sport Communication and Recreation Management.

Employer
- The Department of Education
- South African Federation for Movement and Leisure Sciences
- Confederation of South African Sports
- Universities and universities of technology
- SANDF
- SAPS
- Mining houses
- ESKOM
- SAB
- Department of Correctional Services
- Gymnasiums
- Sports clubs
- Self-employment, with enough experience and capital, can start of business, such as own gymnasium or designing sport products and/or acting as an agent for professional sportspeople

Contact
Sports Science Institute of South Africa SSISA
Private Bag X5
Newlands, 7725
Tel: (021) 659-5600 Fax: (021) 659-5601
www.ssisa.com.za

The South African Sports Commission (SASC)
www.sasc.org.za

Exercise Teachers Academy
P O Box 694
Rondebosch 7701
Tel: (021) 683-8342 Fax: (021) 683-3515

www.exerciseacademy.com