Sport Management Department taps into adventure sports industry

The Sport Management Department is not only expanding but planning to tap into the adrenaline-pumping adventure sports industry.

The department, which previously only had offices at the Mowbray campus, has now set up shop at the Wellington Campus.

With a first-year intake of just over 40 students, lecturers at the Wellington campus say the programme is off to a good start.

However, opening a department at the Wellington campus is not the only plan lecturers have in store for this popular course.

As from 2011 students studying Sport Management will have the opportunity to specialise in adventure sports.

From white river rafting to windsurfing, adventure sport is one of the fastest growing industries in the world.

Across the globe, adventurers of all ages are signing up for adventure holidays, adventure tours, extreme sports and adrenalin experiences.

With a global demand in this type of activity, there are now opportunities for extreme sport enthusiasts to start up adventure sports businesses.

The adventure sports module, which is the brainchild of Etienne Joubert, a Sport Management lecturer and adventure sports enthusiasts, will be offered to students in their second and third year.

Joubert, who is coordinating the Sport Management course at the Wellington Campus, said he saw the need to enhance the skills of CPUT students.

“Adventure studies will be an extra module that will give students skills which they can use to specialise in adventure sports,” he said.

The course will have a strong focus on entrepreneurship, thus providing students with the necessary skills to start up adventure sports businesses.

Joubert said while they have a range of facilities at the Wellington campus, they will have to acquire more equipment in order to run the adventure studies module.

“This is going to be a resource intensive course,” he said.

However, adventure sports at the Wellington campus will not only be limited to those studying Sport Management.

Earlier this month, the Student Affairs Department launched the Adventure Club.

Sports Development Officer Tyrone Africa said the club will allow students who are not interested in mainstream sport the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities.

Working hand in hand with Joubert, the club will also benefit those studying Sport Management and give them an opportunity to take their sporting to another level.

Africa said the Adventure Club will not only be for social purposes.

“We want this to be a competitive club,” he said.

Africa said the club will not be limited to a specific sport and that students will have an opportunity to participate in a range of adventure sports, from land to water-based activities.

By Candes Keating 

Written by CPUT News

Email: news@cput.ac.za