module specification

The module presents a comprehensive overview of contemporary sports management, looking at a range of relevant management issues. It has a strong business focus and requires students to apply management principles to develop a sports business plan. It will provide the student with an overview of the issues facing sport organisations and how management techniques can be applied to solve business problems.

1. To develop students' awareness of the underpinning principles and practical application of different sports management approaches.
2. To provide the student with an overview of the issues facing local, national, and international sport organisations and how management techniques can be applied to solve business problems. 
3. To consider selected aspects of the commercialisation of sport, including the influences of the media internet, and news industries and the role and influence of sponsorship.
4. To challenge students to think systemically about issues that confront volunteer and professional managers in the sports business.

Management Approaches in Sport
Strategic Planning in Sport
Sports Facilities Management
The Business Plan
Budgeting and Financial Planning
Human Resource Management 
Marketing Sport
Event Management
Risk Management

The module will be delivered through weekly lectures and seminars. The lectures present an overview of a range of key topics in contemporary sports business management, and these are supported by readings and case-study analyses undertaken in seminar sessions. Problem base learning (PBL) will guide the structure of the seminars as the requirement to provide a practically based solution to a management problem in a concise and critical way will encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning. On-line support will also be provided to support and develop student learning. Key student responsibilities will include preparation for sessions (primarily through engagement with the required weekly readings) and participation in in-class activities.

Upon successful completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Relate appropriate sport and business concepts, models and practices to a range of theoretical and real life situations, in order to make appropriate operational and strategic decisions.
2. Discuss trends, current events, and innovations within the sport business and understand how they impact upon managerial decision processes.
3. Evaluate and appreciate management structures within sport, based on understanding key concepts and foundations.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the importance of delivery of service to a quality standard and being able to measure and evaluate outcomes.
5. Develop a business plan within the context of the sports industry.

There will be two assessment tasks for this module:

A 2,500 word business plan

A 20-minute business pitch

Beech, J. and Chadwick, S. (2013) The Business of Sport Management, Harlow: Pearson.
Downward, P., Dawson, A., and Dejonghe, T. (2009) Sports Economics: Theory, Evidence and Policy, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Farmer, P J et al. (1996) Sport Facility Planning and Management, Morgantown: Fitness Information Technology.
Frosdick, S and Walley, L. (1997) Sport and Safety Management, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Hoye, R., Smith, A., Westerbeek, H., Stewart, B., and Nicholson, M. (2006) Sport Management: Principles and Application, Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Masteralexis, L., Barr, C., and Hums. M., (2005) Principles and Practice of Sport Management, Aspen Publishers.
Oakley, B. and Rhys, M. (2008) The Sport and Fitness Sector - An Introduction, Abingdon:   Routledge.
Parks, J., Quarterman, J., and Thibault, L. (2003) Contemporary Sport Management, Champaign, IL : Human Kinetics. 
Parkhouse, B. (2005) The Management of Sport: Its Foundation and Application, London: McGraw-Hill.
Taylor, P. (2010) Torkildsen’s Sport and Leisure Management, Oxford: Routledge.
Trenberth, L. and Hassan, D. (2012) Managing Sport Business: An Introduction, Oxon: Routledge.
Watt, D C (2003) Sports Management and Administration, London: Routledge.

Journals and Periodicals

Sport Management Review
European Sport Management Quarterly
Journal of Sport Management
SportBusiness International
The Sports Business Daily
The Sports Business Journal