THE MANAGEMENT OF

SELECTED YOUTH

FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMMES IN

GAUTENG PROVINCE

C.S.FORTUIN

NOVEMBER 2012

“

OUR CHILDREN ARE THE RO

CK ON WHICH OUR FUTURE

WILL BE BUILT, OUR GREATE

ST ASSET AS A NATION”

Nelson Mandela

BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH

• Football is a Global Phenomenon that transcends all fabrics of Society, i.e. class, race, gender, religion,

• 270 Million players and 5 million referees and officials (FIFA Big Count 2006). Therefore the biggest sport played in the world.

• The economic demands of professional football has forced professional clubs and national Football Associations to invest in Youth Football Development

• Youth Football Development Programmes(YFDP) has become an integral part of the growth of football Internationally

• Football has become a national interest and priority

C.S.FORTUIN SASRECON NOVEMEBR 2012

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

• The purpose of the study was to assess the management of selected structured youth football programmes in the Gauteng province in South Africa with respect to:

The Management of the programmes Leadership (Human Resources) Physical Resources (Facilities) Financial stability and sustainability Strategic positioning of the programmes

METHODOLOGY

• The study was descriptive by nature

• A cross sectional study of mixed methods

• Qualitative and Quantitative

• Data was gathered from interviews and observation

• Documentary analysis such as reports, budgets and development plans were interrogated.

• Eight structured youth football programmes in the Gauteng Province were assessed

C.S.FORTUIN SASRECON NOVEMEBR 2012

DISCUSSION

• Youth football has become an integral part of professional football

• Countries such as Spain, Brazil and the Netherlands are successful in football due to their intense youth football development programmes

• Large sums of money is invested into youth football development programmes by International football clubs to maintain success (Barcelona, Manchester United)

• Recent Research in South Africa (Mistra) reflects that poor management and a lack of scientific support in youth football development can impact negatively on football development in South Africa

C.S.FORTUIN SASRECON NOVEMEBR 2012

DISCUSSION (cont.)

• Management is defined as a process whereby financial, human, physical and information resources are optimally utilised to achieve set objectives (Gouws, 1997)

• Sport Management Principles of Planning, Leading, Organising and Control are important for success in sport

• Success and economic benefits for Professional football clubs requires proper management

• Professional football clubs have realised that there is return on investment in youth football development

• Strategic Planning and long term strategy is therefore important elements in ensuring success

C.S.FORTUIN SASRECON NOVEMEBR 2012

DISCUSSION (cont.)

• Highly trained and skilled Human Resources contribute to the success of any organisation (Coaches)

• Control, accountability or a monitoring and evaluation system is a critical management principle for organisations to reposition themselves

• Financial invest into any organisation is important to ensure objectives are achieved

• Physical resources (facilities) contribute to successful development

C.S.FORTUIN SASRECON NOVEMEBR 2012

CONCLUSIONS

• The selected structured youth football development programmes (YFDP) lacks sufficient and effective management structures to support proper football development

• Financial support is insufficient and lack of adequate football facilities hinders youth football development

• Qualified personnel i.e. Coaches, sport scientists, managers and administrators are not utilised

• There is no strategic vision and long term planning which results in reactive implementation

• There is no monitoring and evaluation systems in place

C.S.FORTUIN SASRECON NOVEMEBR 2012

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Corporate governance principles should be prioritised (Kings Report) in youth football development programmes

• Management principles should be adhered to ensure that objectives are achieved

• Proper football specific facilities should be developed to enhance youth football development

• A uniform system of youth football development benchmarked against International standards should be implemented

• Reskilling of coaches to focus on youth football development instead of results

C.S.FORTUIN SASRECON NOVEMEBR 2012

THANK YOU

C.S.FORTUIN SASRECON NOVEMEBR 2012