An analysis of the management of youth football development programmes established in the Gauteng province

M. Phil. (Sport Management)Youth football development has developed into an important, integral part of professional football world-wide. Countries such as Spain, Brazil and the Netherlands have proven that an investment in youth football development has resulted in them becoming the world’s best football playing countries as ranked by International Football Association (FIFA). The investment in youth football development by these countries has resulted in sustained football success. The aim of this study was to survey and analyse the management of youth football development programmes existing in the Gauteng Province, South Africa. Questionnaires were distributed among participants (youth players between the ages of 12 and 20 years) in selected structured youth football development programmes in Gauteng. Structured interviews were undertaken with managers, owners, directors, coaches and any other personnel working in these youth football development programmes to determine how these programmes are managed. Mixed methods were used to gather data from the questionnaire, structured interviews and from documentary analysis (e.g. annual reports, budgets, policies, development plans, minutes of meetings and strategic plans). The study focussed on the management of current youth football development programmes in the Gauteng Province IN South . The stratification of the sample was eight structured, youth football programmes (YFDP) existing in Gauteng Province and 216 participants responded completing the questionnaire. A manager, coach or administrator from each youth football development programme was personally interviewed by the researcher. Results of the mixed methods survey were analysed. Analysis of the data was mainly of a descriptive nature. A computer programme (SPSS version 20) was used to compute the results. The outcomes of the study showed that there are management, administration, financial as well as sport scientific support gaps in the development of young football players in established youth football programmes in the Gauteng Province