"Barefoot” Sports Administrators: Laying the Foundation for Sports Development in South Africa

Abstract

The author provides a perspective on South African sport, in terms of the existing perceptions, challenges, and constraints with which its managers are confronted. The unique needs of the disadvantaged communities with regard to sport management are discussed in relation to the Empowerment Model of Friedman (1992), and placed within the critical theoretical framework. The certified course in sports administration, being administered under the auspices of The University of the Western Cape (together with The University of Cape Town, National Sports Council Western Cape, and World Teach/Score), serves as a case study for this paper. It is argued that in order to address the immediate sporting needs of communities, and also to prepare them for future development, the training of community members as lay sports administrators is imperative. The role of sport and sport development in community development is explored, with special emphasis on the conditions in economically depressed communities. The importance of empowering communities to become more self-reliant in terms of sport management, was emphasized. Finally, an evaluation of the course was provided, and major shortcomings and future challenges are discussed.