Sport administrators plan, organise and direct sport and recreation programs and services in accordance with policies set by management, owners, boards of directors or executive committees. They regulate the activities around sport and then maintain contact with sport organisations in order to see that the regulations are implemented and coordinated effectively..
Sport administrators are also involved in promoting participation in sport and have a mandate to promote the image of sport by maintaining a good example as a management body. They attend sporting tournaments, training courses and meetings where the administrative aspects of sport events are dealt with. They plan and manage the building of sporting facilities such as sports stadiums and recreation complexes. They may initiate research into areas of need within a sport for instance in the field of training, fitness, diet, equipment and apparatus. They may plan events such as coaching for trainers and leaders in sport and recreation. Sports administrators may also may participate in the process of conflict resolution between sport organisations or sportsmen.
In South Africa, there are a variety of government sports administration bodies both at provincial and national level. The administration may also vary according to the type of sport i.e. sporting bodies for golf, soccer, cricket, running and swimming for example. In any one of these areas sports administrators are directly involved in managing and coordinating events and facilities. In South Africa, sport administrators and officials are employed by the government mainly at a national and provincial level. However, most sport administrators and officials tend to be part-time employed or volunteer workers. This is especially the case in sports that are less well known in the country.
In general, recreation and sport administrators: