Sport managers organize sporting events and coordinates sport programmes at various institutes or centres, such as gymnasiums and sports clubs.
Because millions of rands are spent on sport and recreation yearly, sport managers must design and develop organisation structures and management systems to control large-scale investments and sponsorships.
Sport managers design and manage scientific training programmes for sportspeople and may give advice about obtaining sponsors. They also manage training programmes for ordinary people who want to keep fit. Some manage enterprises such as gymnasiums or sports clubs.
They make decisions with regard to marketing, investments and sponsorships, as well as the handling of financial matters. They are often involved in personnel matters such as selection, recruitment and development. They ensure that equipment is kept in good order, prepare staff timetables and prepare budgets.
Sport managers may help to plan and design sporting and recreation complexes, and do research in the fields of training, fitness, diet, equipment and apparatus. They advise sports bodies on recreation plans and policies.
They may specialise in a particular field and need to have a thorough knowledge of various types of sport, as well as the human body. Many sport managers have coaching experience. They need to have a natural ability to motivate and inspire others. The Comrades Marathon road race is an example of the work in which a sport manager is involved.