Training of sport facility managers for the South African context

Ph.D. (Sport Management)Sport and recreation are important in communities because of the pervasive influence they have on all different aspect of the society (Mohlamonyane, 2005). One of these pervasive influences is the way in which free time is spent. For individuals to spend their leisure time productively, some type of facility is necessary. The provision of a range of leisure facilities that could host a wide variety of activities may increase the quality of life for people (Lourens, 1990). The management of these facilities will also indirectly influence the utilisation of the facilities, as the enjoyment and utilisation of the experience is closely related to the manner in which the sport facility is being managed. With the international sporting arena opening up for South Africa, the need for qualified and competent sport facility managers has increased as professional and ordinary sport people need equipped facilities to train and to participate in. Not only are competent sport facility managers necessary to manage these sporting facilities, but with the increased emphasis on professional sport, recreational sport has also seen an increase in participants who need facilities to take part in their recreational activities. This has resulted in the need to have educational programmes in place to train personnel and students in the field of sport facility management..