Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Sport in South Africa continues to be male dominated and it is argued that the opportunity to introduce a new qualification in Sport Coaching provides a unique opportunity to promote and prioritise female sport, given that it has been systemically marginalised. The initiative also supports vision statement of National Government “to be an active and winning nation” (SRSA, 2011:18). This paper provides an insight into the proposed structure and knowledge content of the qualification along with the principles that guide its need for inclusivity, given the historical antecedents that characterised discriminatory systems and policies under Apartheid. A significant element that has formed the catalyst for the introduction of the Sport Coaching Degree is to fill the vacuum created by the effective dismantling of Physical Education as a compulsory element of school education in South Africa. Thus the intent of the qualification is to ensure graduates are educated and trained to work and comply with best practice in local, national and international sport-coaching environments. Importantly the graduates will be able to conduct research in the field of sport coaching that will inform and contribute to relevant policy development, notably in terms of female issues concerning sport participation, access to sport, inequality, as well as sport related socio-economic and health issues.