SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Diploma in Sport and Exercise

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
100654	Diploma in Sport and Exercise
ORIGINATOR
Exercise Teachers Academy PTY Limited
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)	Field 02 - Culture and Arts		Sport
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	360	Not Applicable	NQF Level 06	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		SAQA 091/21	2021-07-01	2023-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2029-06-30

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The design and establishment of this qualification aims to enable learners to develop appropriate skills and knowledge for coaching and conditioning of sportspeople at all levels. The qualification aims to ensure that both coaching and conditioning practices applied by learners, adheres to sound principles drawn from sport science.

Upon qualifying learners will be able to integrate theoretical knowledge into practice; combining performance analysis, coaching techniques and sport conditioning into a single profession-based vocation.

A qualifying learner will also be able to:

Apply the science of testing and evaluation to the design, management and implementation of a skills and technique based training programme.

Design, implement and manage safe and effective sport conditioning and/or performance-based exercise programmes.

Use current information technology to analyse, interpret, and prescribe correct movement patterns, sporting tactics and movement execution.

Coach a chosen sport by applying professional coaching principles.

Design and periodise safe and effective sport performance programmes.

Synthesise theoretical and scientific theory of coaching and/or training into a practically applied training or conditioning programme.

Rationale:
Sport is often seen as the mechanism to elicit change and transformation in many sociological spheres. Sport is seen as a career and a landscape for entrepreneurial growth. Local and national sporting structures are in search of individuals with skills and expertise to run, manage and drive participation in and around communities, schools and clubs.

If sport is to become truly accessible for all South Africans, it is essential that professionals involved at all levels receive the best possible education and training. If these professionals can be made aware of the unique physical, developmental, psychological characteristics of athletes at all levels, they can promote the concepts of enjoyment and fair play as well as present sport conditioning and skills learning. This scientifically-based integrated approach will increase the levels of participation of South African youth, and thus contribute to a more stable society.

Building a sound basis of sport skills (conditioning, analyses, and technique) among youth has important implications for top-level sport in South Africa. By focusing on the fundamentals of sport and a scientific approach to analysis, training and conditioning, participants will form good habits that lay the foundation for pursing higher levels of performance. Thus, a well-coordinated approach to sport development at a junior level will promote the development of sport as a positive force in South African society. It is in this context that this qualification has been developed.

Learners qualifying with this Diploma will be able to register either with:

South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and be awarded with a designation-Assistant coach.

REPSSA (Register of Exercise Professionals in South Africa) and be awarded with a designation-Sport Conditioning Coach.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This Qualification can be achieved wholly or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning and the qualification may be granted to learners who have acquired the skills and knowledge without attending formal education, providing they can demonstrate knowledge and skills that meet the assessment criteria as stipulated in the qualification and its Exit Level Outcomes.

An RPL process can also be used to credit learners with modules of the qualification wherein learners can show that they have developed the necessary competence as a result of workplace or experiential learning. RPL may be relevant for applicants who are not in possession of an National Senior Certificate or equivalent qualification, to gain access to the qualification. Learners submitting themselves for RPL should be thoroughly briefed prior to the assessment process, and will be required to submit a Portfolio of Evidence in the prescribed format to be assessed for formal recognition. While this is primarily an occupationally based qualification, evidence from other areas may be considered if pertinent to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entrance requirements for this qualification are:

Senior Certificate (SC) without endorsement.
Or

National Senior Certificate (NSC) passed with Diploma studies and should demonstrate competence against the relevant mathematical Literacy, English language and communication skills at Level 4.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Levels 5 and 6, totalling 370 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 130 Credits:

Coaching Science 1, 25 Credits.

Exercise Science 1, 25 Credits.

Sport Management, 15 Credits.

Sport and Fitness Studies 1, 10 Credits.

Performance Analysis 1, 45 Credits.

Health and Safety, 10 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 240 Credits:

Coaching Science 2, 30 Credits.

Exercise Science 2, 20 Credits.

Training methods and programme design, 25 Credits.

Performance analysis 2, 35 Credits.

Health and safety, 10 Credits.

Coaching Science 3, 60 Credits.

Performance Analysis 3, 60 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply the science of testing and evaluation to the design, management and implementation of sport skills and technique-based training programme.
2. Design, implement and manage safe and effective sport conditioning and/or performance-based exercise programmes.
3. Use current information technology to analyse, interpret, and prescribe correct movement patterns, sporting tactics and movement execution.
4. Coach a chosen sport by applying professional coaching principles.
5. Design and periodise safe and effective sport performance programmes that are sustainable.
6. Synthesise theoretical and scientific theory of coaching and/or exercise science into a practically applied training or conditioning programme.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1:

Design sport skills programmes with the underpinning scientific rigour to determine the level, intensity, skill and individual requirements outlined by assessment processes.

Plan and design training programmes using a periodised model.

Demonstrate knowledge of physiological adaptation and skill adaptation in the programme design and prescription.

Draw up exercises/drills to improve the technical execution of a movement and skills.

Plan, design and implement programmes to manage and improve the development of the correct technical and tactical skill.

Design programmes against the development of both skill and competence according to the Long Term Athlete Development process.

Apply current nutritional science to sport programmes to improve technical skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2:

Demonstrate knowledge of exercise physiology to inform sport conditioning programmes and training methods.

Analyse sport activities to determine safe and effective conditioning programmes.

Apply anatomical and biomechanical principles of movement to sport conditioning programmes.

Design and periodise training and conditioning programmes to comply with current principles of sport science.

Use current knowledge of sport psychology principles to support performance and lead and motivate compliance.

Apply relevant motivation principles to the leadership of sport conditioning programmes.

Use effective communication skills in the instruction of conditioning sessions.

Select relevant exercise training modalities to teach programmes.

Cosh equipment or apparatus that support the chosen exercise modalities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3:

Select appropriate methods and technologies to analyse a sport or sporting movements.

Demonstrate knowledge of human biomechanics to inform analysis of movement to improve a performance or a skill.

Identify technical and tactical faults within opposition players.

Base technical and tactical recommendations on analysis.

Create and manage databases of information for analysis and interpretation for athletes and teams.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4:

Explain motivation principles and apply motivation techniques to sport coaching.

Demonstrate roles and responsibilities of coaching according to the codes of conduct and professional standards of a chosen sport.

Implement effective methods of instruction, drill selection and equipment utilisation to enhance a sports skill.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5:

Use current knowledge of sport science and psychology to support performance and to lead and motivate compliance.

Use effective communication skills in the instruction of conditioning sessions.

Select and teach relevant and appropriate exercise modalities.

Select and utilise correct equipment that bests supports the chosen exercise modality.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6:

Identify current scientific theory and apply practically to sport.

Analyse and interpret current scientific theory of sport and exercise for use in application.

Debate and consider applications of specific training methods for their use, through well-constructed argument.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated assessment at the level of qualification provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate concepts, ideas, and actions to achieve knowledge and skills that are coherent to the purpose of the qualification.

Integrated assessment judges the quality of the observable performance and the quality of the critical thinking and problem solving that underpins the performance. Assessment tools must encourage learners to give an account of the thinking and decision-making that underpins their performance. Assessment includes a range of tasks which ensure that learners demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the modules within the qualification.

Knowledge is assessed through ongoing class tests, semester exams and assignments.

Practical skills are demonstrated through practical projects, demonstrations, skill tests, and simulations. Learners demonstrate sport and exercise conditioning skills, using relevant equipment and demonstrating appropriate skills of the fitness modality or sport code being taught.

Doing projects learners will demonstrate how they work with participants or athletes, preparing exercise or sport programmes; learners monitor and adapt programmes according to the needs of participants/athletes.

Experiential learning: Learners will work at fitness facilities, schools, sport clubs; hours are logged and signed off by supervisors.

Learners will complete a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE). This PoE is continuously assessed against the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification has been compared with sport coaching qualifications from Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia and it was found that there is a substantial Degree of similarity between all the qualifications. The concept of a single qualification that includes fundamental knowledge of sport science and the common principles of effective coaching and exercise conditioning are common to these qualifications. The addition of applied coaching within a specific sport is part of the qualification in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Before attempting to discuss the reasons for comparability it needs to be outlined that this Diploma has been developed in line with the educational requirements advocated by SASCOC and REPSSA (Register of Exercise Professionals in South Africa). SASCOC's coaches framework has been developed in accordance with the Global Framework for the Recognition of Coaching Competence and Qualifications (International Council for Coach Education). According to the Global Framework for Coaching and Mentoring in Education for assistant coaches should have the following competencies:

Builds positive and effective relationships with athletes and others associated with the programme. Responsible for engaging in, contributing to and influencing the organisational context.

Organises suitable and challenging practices and targets competitions for the athletes.

Observes and responds to events appropriately, including all on- and off-field matters.

Evaluates the programme as a whole as well as each practice and competition.

Creates a vision and a strategy based on the needs and stage of development of the athletes and the organisational and social context of the programme.

Recruits and contracts to work with a group of athletes and takes responsibility for setting out plans for specified periods.

Maximise the environment in which the programme occurs through personnel, facilities, resources, working practices and the management of other coaches and support personnel.

Perform their duties in an ethically responsible way, play by the rules at all times and protect the integrity of sport.

Conducts basic coaching sessions, sometimes under supervision.

For comparison of the conditioning skills, REPPSA (Register of Exercise Professionals in South Africa), has aligned the Exit Level Outcomes with a professional designation of Sports Conditioning Coach and this alignment is with specific countries where REPS has established, these include United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, United States America, UAE, Canada, New Zealand.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates vertically and horizontally with the following:

Vertical Articulation:

Bachelor of Science Sport Science in Biokinetics.

Bachelor of Science Honours in Sport Science.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Arts in Human Movement Science.

Bachelor of Science Exercise Science.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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