We are all familiar with the grand dramas of sport. The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the World Cup, the millions of roadside fans at the Tour de France. But sport plays a far broader and deeper role in society than these iconic events.
Broad opportunities
Governments around the world and the United Nations have long recognised the importance of sport in national life. In Hong Kong the SAR Government, in its latest policy address, outlined its intention to encourage more young athletes with potential to turn full-time and its determination to help athletes adapt to a life after their competitive careers by continuing its Sports Coordinator Scheme to encourage retired athletes to serve as School Sports Programme Co-ordinators and enhance the sporting culture in schools.
The Government will also commence advance works of the Kai Tak Multi-purpose Sports Complex with the aim of providing the largest-ever sports facility in Hong Kong. A working group is going to be set up to gauge the demand for sports facilities. These and other changes in our community have led to a broad range of career opportunities in sport from event and facility management to training and coaching, community recreation and planning and much more.
Careers for champions
The growing importance of sport at a macro level also opens up new avenues for athletes who reach the end of their competitive careers. Not only can athletes earn, often considerable amounts, during their competitive years but they can actually build a base of experience and academic knowledge on which to develop worthwhile careers after they retire.
In this regard, the Western Harbour Tunnel Company Ltd. supported the School in establishing the “Western Harbour Tunnel Elite Athlete Education Scholarship” in 2014 with the precise aim of assisting the development of sport in Hong Kong through encouraging current elite athletes, particularly those who are up and coming or do not currently receive financial support, to prepare themselves for the post-sport career by taking courses related to sports management and other education.
Growing academic programmes
This year, HKU SPACE is celebrating its 20th year of contribution to further education in sport, exercise and recreation management in Hong Kong. The School first offered an MA in Sport and Recreation Management in collaboration with Victoria University, Melbourne since 1995, and an Advanced Diploma in Recreation and Sports Management.
In response to the growing demand for sports professionals, the School now offers 42 programmes which have been well received by industry both locally and internationally. These programmes provide flexible pathways to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to equip students with updated knowledge in providing quality leisure services, managing sports facilities, and organising a wide range of sports and recreation activities. The School offers more programmes such as an MSc International Sport Management, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sport Management and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sport Development with Coaching in collaboration with the University of Northumbria.
A new Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Recreation Management commenced in January 2015. This programme is designed to prepare sport and recreation specialists in Hong Kong by developing specific sport and recreation management skills from an international standpoint. Graduates of this programme are entitled to credit exemption to the MSc International Sport Management programme. With its broad range of full-time and part-time programmes, the School is providing a pathway in sport education to those already working in the industry and those who aspire to join the industry.
Related Programmes
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