Sport has played an important part in your life. How did that come about?

Sport was always my passion and I’ve always been extremely competitive. I was awarded karate provincial colours when I was 13. That was a major achievement and I realised that if I can get colours for karate, there is no reason why I couldn’t do the same in volleyball and basket ball.

Staying focused and with hours of practice every day, I finally got provincial colours in both sports.

Where did you go from there?

In 2001, I was appointed sport and recreation officer at a private prison, Group4 Correctional Centre. Because of my experience as a personal trainer, I developed a programme for rehabilitating prisoners. My responsibility was to facilitate various sports and their administration.

Where did you study?

I enrolled at Boston City Campus & Business College in 2005 for an accredited qualification in sports management. The college is the training body for Cricket SA

What sort of jobs are open to those with your qualification?

The Boston qualification is very broad and covers aspects of sport from marketing, development and administration to corporate social responsibility, coaching and sports hospitality.

What do you like most about your job?

I’ve been in my job for four months now and am really enjoying it. Each day brings something new. The team I work with is most supportive and that builds my confidence. I’m also learning about how the industry works as a whole. Of course, there is still a lot to learn, but I’m getting there.

How did you feel on your first day at work?

I was very nervous but excited about being in an industry that I truly love. The thought dawned on me that I was seeing first hand what goes on behind the scenes in developing athletes, who one day will be national heroes.

Would you advise students to work for no pay in the beginning?

Definitely. Workplace experience is invaluable because you have to prove to your superiors that you are capable of adding value to the job.

I would strongly advise anyone thinking of going into sports administration to work for a couple of months without pay and make themselves available for any job, no matter how menial, which could be assisting in coaching activities. This is a good way of building a good performance record.

What lessons have you learnt so far?

I’ve realised that behind every sporting hero is a team of sport managers and administrators who drive their achievements.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

My role models are top sports administrators such as Irvin Khoza, Danny Jordaan, Nomsa Mahlangu and Sam Ramsammy. I’d like to reach their heights.

Do you intend to study further?

Very much so. I want to become a sports agent and that will mean getting further qualifications.