Sol Plaatje University (SPU) hosted the 2021 University Sport South Africa (USSA) Heads of Sport Forum in a landmark event in November 2021.

The conference, which takes place every two years, aims to find the best university sports practices in South Africa and around the globe.

Current Chairperson for the Heads of Sport Forum Mr Mark Bashe kicked off the proceedings, followed by a welcome by SPU’s Dean of Students Ms Nicole Morris. This was followed by an impressive line-up of speakers who shared their professional insights. The speakers included:

• President of Cricket South Africa, Mr Rhian Richards
• SA Rugby Union High-Performance Manager, Ms Lyne Cantwell
• North-West University Head of Sports, Dr Sean McCallaghan
• Stellenbosch University Chief Director, Mrs Ilhaam Groenewald
• University of Limpopo Sports Officer, Maria Mochechela
• University of the Western Cape Sports Director, Mr Mandla Gagayi

Mr Richards, who is from Kimberley, said that it was imperative that Cricket South Africa partner with universities to produce good players for the South African Protea and national teams.

In Ms Cantwell’s presentation, she gave insights into the South African women’s rugby strategy and how universities should align themselves to it.

Dr Sean Mccallghan talked about the effective habits for managing the personal wellbeing of sports administrators during and post COVID-19. He also shared details of how sports organisations could challenge staff, stimulate and promote innovation, re-direct goals and objectives within the allowed e-sport strategy, online fitness, and virtually sharing coaching instructions.

Stellenbosch University Chief Director, Mrs Ilhaam Groenewald, also from the Kempis in the Northern Cape, shared vital leadership lessons for managing sport during COVID-19 and beyond.

University of Limpopo Sports Officer Maria Mochechela presented on the return of sport and management of sporting activities after hard lockdown. She spoke at length about strategies that sport managers could develop and implement for a safe return to sport in the midst of COVID-19 and post lockdown.

University of the Western Cape Sports Director, Mr Mandla Gagayi, took to the podium to discuss the changes in the universities’ sports landscape and the heads of sport forum becoming an official autonomous structure with representatives in the USSA executive committees.

SPU’s Institutional Advancement Director, Mr Qondakele Sompondo, closed the conference and wished everyone well in their future endeavours.