The value of school-based sport programmes in selected rural schools within the Limpopo Province

Abstract: Despite South Africa’s vibrant sporting culture, the vast majority of children in townships and rural schools across 52 districts spread over nine provinces do not have access to regular, quality programmes of sport. The aim of this study was to assess the implementation and value of school-based sport programme in rural schools within Limpopo province. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach comprising of a quantitative method (questionnaire) that was triangulated with a qualitative method (focus group discussions and interviews). A self-structured close-ended questionnaire (Developed from the Sport in Development Impact Assessment Tool) was utilized to collect quantitative data. Focus group discussions and interviews were also conducted for different sets of knowledge. Questionnaires were distributed to 20 learners (10 boys and 10 girls) from each of the selected 20 rural primary schools in Limpopo province. Eight Focus group discussions were conducted with 12 learners (6 boys and 6 girls) from each of the eight selected rural schools while eight sports masters from best performing rural schools in sports were also interviewed. Gathered data was coded using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23. Descriptive statistics (including mean, frequency and percentage) were used to analyse and present quantitative data while qualitative data (interviews and focus group discussions) were thematically analysed. Results indicated that learners do participate in various sporting activities and obtain various benefits attached to such programmes. Sports masters also reported that learners who participate in school based sports activities score better in academic subjects compared to those who do not participate and also behave well in class. Results have shown that lack of time, insufficient equipment, lack of facilities and lack of support from the Department of Education are the main challenges attached to the delivery of school-based sports programme.M.Phil. (Sport Management