Abstract
M.Phil.
South Africa’s re-admission into international sport has contributed to the increase in the number of participants in sport in the country. Government also aims to promote and deliver programmes to develop sport at all levels of participation. The bodies responsible for these programmes are also responsible for policy development in sport on national and local level but not for the development of policies in sport at secondary school level. It is the responsibility of the Department of Education and related bodies for sport at school level such as USSASA. Sport participation at secondary school level could lead to potential injuries or permanent disabilities. The South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996) does not focus on the management of sport or risks within school sport as it does not deal with specific issues or social activities but only provides a broad framework regulating all social activities including sport. Safety in school sport becomes part of risk management and not enough emphasis is placed on minimising the risks of injuries and law suits against the management of schools or sport managers, coaches or administrators. The problem is thus to identify and assess current practices that are related to the management of school sport in order to recommend guidelines for policy, procedures and practices for risk management in sport at secondary schools in Gauteng. Out of a population of 450 secondary schools, a sample of n=170 schools were drawn. Only 37 questionnaires were returned, but the results obtained still provided meaningful insights with regard to the management of risks in sport. In evaluating current risks management practises through descriptive statistical methods the conclusion could be reached that in general sport managers are aware of the legal responsibility towards participants in sport and that there is a perceived need to enhance certain legal liability aspects at secondary schools.
Prof. C. Singh