Abstract
M.Comm.
South Africa are the proud hosts of the FIFA 2010 Football World Cup™, and
deservedly so. A significant effort has been placed in winning the bid and continues
this continues to be the situation as construction and infrastructure are being put in
place for event. Time is fast becoming limited, now with just less than three years to
go, proper development is essential. Outside the rush and pressure to be ready for
this event and the economic benefits that that are attached, the opportunity exists to
divert some of that momentum into something that will last way beyond 2010 –
sustainable youth development programmes and football clubs. This entails that
grassroots development and youth football development programs are structured and
sustainable in order for well-rounded, well-developed players to graduate from it for
many years to come.
This study set out to ascertain the extent to which business management principles
are applied in the management of football, as well as to explore the availability and
applicability of policies and programmes provided by government and the national
federation. The exact population size was extremely challenging to determine, largely
due to insufficient and non-centralised record keeping by national and regional
administrators. A sample size of 30 (n=30) that was geographically representative of
Gauteng, was drawn. Researcher-administered interviews, with questionnaires, were
used in the investigation.
Meaningful insight was provided in the fact that only 33% of the respondents were
aware of the White Paper on Sport and Recreation South Africa and indicated that
there was a degree of alignment to it. The study highlighted the fact that while this
document, and other policies regulating and supporting sport and sport development
nationally are available, the respondents indicated a general lack of knowledge of
these tools made available by the South African Department for Sport and
Recreation and its partners. The National Federation, SAFA, devote little effort to
football development programmes and while strides are being made in this regard,
the increments of success are very small and potential benefits do not materialise.
One further aspect concluded from the study was the lack of a clear understanding of
what sport development, and football in particular, encompasses, and thus what a
development programme should include. Current football programmes were found to
be lacking with regard to the holistic development of players, as well as coaches,
administrators and officials, in areas that extend beyond the tactical and technical
aspects of football.