Sports experts explore high-performance sport at SPU Sport Symposium

Sports experts from various sports fraternities were hosted by the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) for the High-Performance Sports Symposium at the South Campus Multipurpose Hall, on 21 September 2023.

These experts addressed issues impacting the performance of sports athletes within the industry. Issues include leadership in high-performance sports management, high-performance coaching systems, mental health and the role of sports psychology, gender inequalities in sports, talent identification, and drugs in the sports environment. This is part of the SPU’s continuous efforts to create an environment which is conducive to influential athletes. Such a symposium is instrumental in aiding young talented student-athletes within the Northern Cape, with the appropriate athlete support systems to achieve their full high-performance potential.

Part of the symposium proceedings were panel discussions highlighting various topics. These discussions allowed experts in various fields within the sports industry to dissect and respond to questions and concerns raised by the audience.

The initial session, spearheaded by Mrs Ilhaam Groenewald, Maties Sport Chief Director, addressed high-performance sport management leadership behaviours of the senior management teams, as a contributing factor to athlete performance. “Higher education institutions, in South Africa, are the backbone of the sport and we can certainly do more.”

Earlier this year, SPU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Andrew Crouch, together with the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) Commissioner, Ms Jodi Scholtz, unveiled the SPU Sport Precinct. Situated in the centre of Kimberley, a first-of-its-kind in the Northern Cape province, the multipurpose Sports Precinct not only promotes SPU’s sporting activities and excellence but also adds significant value to the broader Northern Cape community.

The first panel discussion was led by Mr Mandla Gagayi, Sports Director at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), who emphasised ethical foundations in the high-performance space. He said: “One common mistake universities make is diving into high-performance sports without aligning with their core values. This can lead to unethical practices during competitions as it deviates from the university’s principles.”

This session was followed by a thorough look into high-performance sports coaching systems, which was presented by Mr Steve Ball, Director of Sport, and Acting CEO at TuksSport. He mentioned the importance of support teams on an athlete’s performance, “It takes a tribe of people to put a person on a podium. It is not one person, or an entity or a coach, it is a whole tribe of individuals that have come together to put a person or team on a podium.”

A common realisation during the engagement is the passion which lies in all the experts’ voices, as they share insight on the development and improvement of sport, not only in South Africa but across all tertiary institutions. There is, however, a common concern regarding gender inequalities within the sports fraternity. University Sports South Africa (USSA) CEO, Mrs Marissa Langeni highlighted the importance of role models in overcoming gender inequalities. “In South Africa, these inequalities are present across all sporting codes, from grassroots, all the way to professional sports,” she said. Mrs Langeni voiced her concerns about the lack of representation of women in sports leadership positions, making it difficult for them to be part of the decision-making processes on behalf of female participants. “I want to believe that any university head of sport will say that part of the intent of their institution is to elevate women or to ensure that there’s gender parity.”

The symposium was followed by the USSA Rugby 7s weekend, with the seven spectacle’s official opening ceremony taking place on 22 September 2023. Participating teams paraded in their team jerseys, leading up to the games which took place over two days on 23-24 September.

The High-Performance Sports Symposium showcased SPU’s pivotal role in advancing the world of sports. As experts deliberated on topics ranging from leadership in sports management to ethical coaching systems, it became evident that SPU is empowering young athletes, coaches, and sports managers in the Northern Cape. By hosting such a symposium, SPU continues to be a beacon of inspiration, offering invaluable support and guidance to those striving for high-performance excellence.

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