SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Advanced Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117906	Advanced Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management
ORIGINATOR
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma	Field 02 - Culture and Arts		Sport
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 07	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2020-11-20	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

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 Advanced Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management promotes a deeper understanding of the management of sport and leisure organisations, events, facilities, individuals and teams, in a variety of contexts, ranging from grassroots sport and leisure development to professional organisations and elite sport contexts. Qualifying learners will enhance their professional practice and career development by gaining contemporary management skills and awareness of managing in a changing environment; national legislation, policies and key government priorities; leadership and entrepreneurial skills; technology and new media for digital marketing; adapting changing social and cultural issues in society; using technology to promote wellness and enhance human performance, and designing research projects that provide solutions for industry challenges.

The qualification seeks to produce professional sport and leisure managers who demonstrate ethical and socially responsible behaviours and effective teamwork and communication skills. Furthermore, the qualification is designed to prepare learners in deepening their knowledge and understanding and honing their research methodologies towards undertaking more complex research.

The qualification will provide ethically orientated individuals who can evaluate data, analyse and effectively problem solve in various work and social contexts that contribute to economic development.

Rationale:
While there are multiple opportunities to study in the sport sciences, there are very limited opportunities at the post-diploma level for studies in the management of sport and leisure. Globally, this has become a greater area of growth academically, with specialist sport business-related courses emerging to cater for the increased professionalisation of the sports industry. Within South Africa, only one such qualification is currently offered. Since its inception in 2004, the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Sport Management has been established to cater to this need. However, the discontinuation of the BTech and the need to align qualifications with the new HEQSF has created an opportunity to revise and update this qualification to cater for changing industry, societal and learner needs and has led to the broadening of the scope of the qualification to include the leisure industry.

The sport and leisure industry is rapidly professionalising and needs managers who have competent business skills combined with an understanding of the nuances and challenges of the sport and leisure industry, especially within an emerging economy context. Furthermore, several mid-level managers within the sports industry need to improve their management skills at an academic and applied level.

This qualification aligns with the strategic goals and mission of the World Leisure Organisation whose key strategic objectives include linking sport and leisure to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for Africa and enhancing research and scholarship (UN Sustainable Development Goals, 2016). The issue of transformation continues to shape thinking about higher education. The National Development Plan (2012) asserts the important role of higher education in enhancing national economic competitiveness within a global knowledge-driven economy.

Given the extensive consultation with both government and industry, the education and development of sport and leisure practitioners are in line with requirements of the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA), Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS), national and local institutions, municipal leisure organisations as well as relevant commercial recreation partners and not-for-profit leisure organisations such as the Adventure Recreation Association (ARA) and the Club Management Association of South Africa (CMASA).

Employability, as well as the opportunity to create start-up businesses, will be a key element of the new qualification. The qualification will provide the necessary education, training and experiential learning that will capacitate learners for careers in this industry. It aims to enhance the practice and career development of junior to mid-level managers within a variety of administrative and management-related positions in the sport and leisure industry.

The qualification is well placed to provide competent, knowledgeable and skilled qualifying learners to service and expand this economic sector. There are clear indications that employment in occupations servicing the health and wellness, sport, leisure, recreation sector has an important role to play in providing employment and career paths for young people and address the unacceptably high youth unemployment rate. It is also contended that the qualification will capacitate learners with knowledge and skills to implement programmes to increase physical activity for all, in the community, and support the goals of mass participation and transformation, especially in historically marginalised communities.

The rationale of the qualification supports the mission of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) to transform the delivery of sport and recreation by ensuring equitable access and excellence at all levels of participation and to harness the socio-economic contributions that can create a better life for all South Africans (nSrp, 2012).

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL assessment process involves the identification, mediation, assessment and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. RPL will be considered for access into the qualification, as well as for recognising equivalent credits completed at other institutions.
Also, RPL applicants for advanced standing must provide a portfolio of evidence (e.g. previous certificates, diplomas and evidence of work experience) that indicate the relevance of the work experience to the sport and leisure industry. The portfolio will be assessed by the Sport Management Department, measured against the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes of the Diploma in Sport and Leisure Management.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Diploma in Sport Management or related field, NQF Level 6.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 120 Credits:

Advanced Sport and Leisure Management, 30 Credits.

Research for Sport and Leisure Management, 30 Credits.

Advanced Sport and Leisure Marketing, 30 Credits.

Wellness and Human Performance Management, 30 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply selected strategic business management principles of particular relevance to the Western Cape and South African contexts, for the management of sport and leisure organisations, events, athletes or facilities.
2. Apply advanced marketing and branding principles to the sustainable management of sport and leisure events, athletes and facilities.
3. Select and apply a range of methods of enquiry to resolve identified problems in the sport and leisure industry or to introduce change within a sport and leisure organisation.
4. Demonstrate ethical, environmental and socially responsible leadership and management practice in a sport and leisure environment.
5. Identify, explain and apply the principles of exercise physiology and technology that informs sport and leisure or human performance in general and use appropriate technology to assess performance.
6. Present or communicate information in written, visual, electronic and verbal forms, including the use of IT and software packages, appropriate to the sport and leisure industry.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Demonstrate sound project management skills in the development of a sport and leisure project plan.

Assess local or global case studies of the management practices of sport and leisure facilities, events and athletes, demonstrating awareness of best practice relating to managing in a changing environment.

Design strategic business goals and objectives for a sport and leisure organisation in the Province.

Interpret and discuss financial statements for a sport and leisure organisation.

Review selected global and government policies (such as the United Nations Sustainability Goals; SRSA's White Paper and Transformation Charter; the National Development Plan for South Africa; and the City's Strategic Goals) and infer implementation strategies to achieve these objectives.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Design marketing materials that reflect the brand identity and values of a sport and leisure organisation, event, team or facility.

Develop a new media and social media plan to promote a sport and leisure organisation, event, team or facility.

Assess the branding practices of sport and leisure organisations and suggest improvements based on contemporary best practice and social responsibility.

Design marketing plan elements for sports events that consider the principles of sustainable development and government priorities.

Assess a range of sport event impacts and legacies in the context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Review an academic journal paper in sport and leisure research, identify and assess the key research methodology principles and activities used.

Design a research project/proposal to solve an applied sport and leisure industry problem, using appropriate methods and based on sound ethical considerations.

Perform appropriate data analysis techniques for qualitative and quantitative findings.

Interpret and communicate the research results coherently and scientifically to selected audiences, in verbal, written and/or visual form.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Apply social and environmental sustainability principles in the design of sport and leisure events and activities.

Plan, design and execute a sport or leisure development program for a designated social group, e.g. youth, women, elderly or disabled.

Assess the impact and social/environmental sustainability of sport and leisure organisations or programmes in South Africa through case study analysis.

Adapt an existing activity, product or service to cater to the needs of a designated social group.

Submit a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates ethical leadership and social responsibility through community engagement in a sport or leisure context.

Work effectively in collaboration with staff, learners and the local sport and leisure community, through group projects and activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Prescribe a fitness-training programme for an individual or team based on an understanding of human anatomy and exercise physiology.

Create a modified training programme for a special population group, e.g. youth, women, elderly or disabled.

Use technology to perform various fitness and physiological tests required to assess sport or leisure performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Prepare professional presentations, technical reports, proposals, strategic plans and portfolios of evidence using industry-relevant software packages, across a range of sport and leisure-based subjects and for a variety of potential industry audiences.

Use an online learner management platform to facilitate blended-learning elements such as group communications, self-study and the submission of assignments.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods.

Formative assessment strategies within the qualification are designed to promote learning and to diagnose teaching methodologies in preparation for integrated assessments that measure attainment of knowledge and skills in a manner appropriate to the aims and outcomes of each unit of study. A variety of assessment methods are used to enable learners to demonstrate their progress.
Formative assessment is aimed at enhancing learner learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their learning and to improve their levels of personal accountability and time management. The formative assessment consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study and depending on the specific requirements of that particular subject. This normally includes a combination of the following:

Classroom-based activities and tasks:

Assignments, projects (individual and group).

Essays, reports and case studies.

Practically planning and executing of events and leisure programmes.

Experiential learning project reports.

Integrated portfolios of evidence.

Online assessments.

Self-study assessments.

Tutorials.

Moderated discussions/forums (including online).

Practical/laboratory work.

Summative integrated assessments will take place at the end of a section of work/quarter or semester and is aimed at assessing learners' attainment against the learning outcomes of the qualification and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements.

Summative assessments usually consist of a variety of formal assessment tasks relevant to the field of study, including written tests, reports and examination. This qualification consists of written assessments in the form of written class tests and examinations conducted during and at the end of the academic semester/year.

Integrated assessment often cuts across several subjects/modules of qualification and is aimed at the holistic development of learners and contributes to learners' personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical and reflexive competence. Integrated assessments in this qualification will take place through research projects conducted across different subject fields and in community engagement projects that make use of the different knowledge and skills from different subject areas.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

An international comparison was conducted to determine the extent of the qualification and how modules compare with similar qualifications at international institutions that offer reputable Sport Management programmes. It is important to note that most Sport Management and/or related Sports Leisure/Administration qualifications at the Advanced Diploma level, namely NQF Level 7 are typically offered as Bachelor Degrees internationally.

The international benchmarking revealed that the Advanced Diploma in Sport Management is offered at the University of Hong Kong in China, as well as at Canadian institutions such as Humber College and Niagara College. The University of Hong Kong qualification is designed for people currently working in leisure administration, recreation, fitness and sport leadership roles to acquire foundation skills required of managers in the sport and leisure industry. Since this comparison was limited, the international scoping exercise and comparison needed to be pragmatic and therefore includes Bachelor's level (NQF Level 7 - the same level as Advanced Diploma) Sport Management qualification and/or similar qualifications offered at various universities, polytechnics, and institutes globally.

The international benchmarking exercise revealed that there has been a growing global recognition of the broadening of sport management studies to include the rapidly growing leisure sector. Several courses were revised to include these aspects specifically. Globally, the institutions have been adding features to their qualifications that examine the societal context of sport and leisure from a developmental perspective and not merely the business context. The BA (Hons) Sport and Management at Abertay University in the United Kingdom is unique in its specific inclusion of technology development and applications in sport. A number of these qualifications have a strong business management foundation for their content. However, a notable limitation of this comparison is that most of these qualifications are offered at Universities within their undergraduate qualifications and are therefore typically delivered as Bachelor Degree courses or even Honours Degrees; however, they are comparable in level and international standing with the South African qualification when considered within the NQF Qualifications Framework, Sub-Frameworks and Qualification Types.

The integration of technology management demonstrates the response of the qualification to the needs and challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The South African also acknowledges the need to retain a research methodology subject to prepare learners for articulation into postgraduate studies.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Bachelor of Arts in Sport Psychology, NQF Level 7.

Advanced Diploma in Physical Education and School Sports, NQF Level 7.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education, NQF Level 7.

Vertical Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in a Sport Management, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sport and Recreation Management, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship, NQF Level 8.

Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management, NQF Level 8.

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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