Abstract
M.Comm. (Business Management)
Football development programmes view the player as a holistic individual and therefore follow holistic procedures in the development of football players. The football development programmes of various football clubs have been used in the search for sporting excellence. The use of such programmes is an international trend at the heart of football development. However, not all football clubs have development programmes. Junior football development in South African is the responsibility of clubs and football development programmes, with the South African Football Association’s Development Committee only responsible for improving football. The football development programmes in South Africa are not standardised and regulated in any way. The aim of the study is to assess the management of junior football development programmes in selected professional football clubs in Gauteng. In order to achieve this aim, the study focused on identifying the guidelines of player development programmes at professional football clubs in Gauteng. To identify possible solutions, youth development programme literature of international football youth development programmes is explored. Different management theories and management practices and functions informed the conceptual framework for contextual description and analysis. Football development programmes are described with reference to the management practice and functions of the youth development programme. The methodology included a literature review, structured self-administered interviews conducted with the administrative head and head of youth development programmes at selected professional football clubs in Gauteng. This was followed by the administration of a questionnaire that was completed by 30 football players who have graduated from youth development programmes, and 40 players who are currently in youth development programmes. Professional football clubs present an opportunity for the development of a player-development model that can cater for the long-term development of football players. Football development programmes employ suitably qualified coaches and the clubs employ ageing players in an administrative function. Professional coaches are therefore appointed to oversee the development programmes of the club and thereby prepare junior players for their roles as professional football players. Football club management should therefore be responsible for the development of systems and structures to facilitate
the nurturing and development of the players in the junior development programmes. Football clubs have introduced football development programme structures, to facilitate football development and ensure the sustainability of the different clubs. They are geared towards the holistic development and well-being of football players within the programme. The football development programme should be designed in line with the club’s overall strategies. Football development within South Africa is not regulated by the South African Football Association. Therefore it is the responsibility of the respective clubs. Limitations are explained and recommendations for future studies are offered.
Key words: Sport development, youth development, holistic development, football management.