Diploma of Sport (Sport Development) / Diploma of Leadership and Management
Athletes aren’t the only stars in sports. Working behind the scenes are skilled management professionals that make the game possible. If you’re passionate about sports and have a head for business, this could be you. Our dual diploma will give you the necessary skills to kickstart your sports career. The course combines experiential and practical training with a focus on management and leadership development. Learn how to supervise athlete performance, manage the sports business and coach a team. Then hone your abilities further with an industry work placement. Upon successful completion of the course you’ll enjoy a guaranteed pathway into selected undergraduate courses.
Course location: Melbourne
Duration
1 year
Intakes
External Venue (February) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Full-time
This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.
Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership
The Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership, in partnership with Swinburne and Richmond Football Club, offers a unique pathway aimed at developing the next generation of leaders within the sports industry.
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Students learn leadership and management skills to complement their sport development and athletic career development pathway. The course is designed to challenge the participants in their understanding of sports and athletic development, coaching and business knowledge. It provides a solid base for future employment in the sports business sector and leadership positions.
The program includes a blended mode of self-paced learning, project-based learning and application, and face-to-face training. Learning is grouped into four thematic areas - Managing Athlete Performance, Managing the Business, Coaching the Team, and Becoming a Leader. Delivery of units is staggered over one year of full-time study with individual support sessions scheduled each month. The individual support sessions are approximately three to four hours in length and include a combination of training, support and assessment. In addition to the individual support sessions, students are required to attend three days of classes per week: these classes provide intensive, face-to-face learning designed to provide support for students around the complex nature of Diploma-level studies. Students also participate in high-performance practical sessions over the course of their learning.
Another element of this delivery is a compulsory work placement of 150 hours that must be completed in a sports context over the term of this course. 50 hours of the 150 hours’ compulsory work placement must be undertaken in a coaching context. Ideally, students will coach a junior sports team at their local sporting club. Trainers and assessors will visit the students on placement to support their real-life learning and industry experience.
Students will be inducted into the RFC as a staff or volunteer member and undertake supervised activities in developing the RFC’s community awareness program.
Course structure
To be able to graduate from this course, students will be required to complete all core and elective units nominated and complete 150 hours of practical placement. All 23 units must be completed.
Units of study
Core Units
Manage risk (BSBRSK501)
Maintain work health and safety (HLTWHS003)
Lead and manage people (SITXHRM003)
Develop and use emotional intelligence (BSBLDR511)
Manage operational plan (BSBMGT517)
Lead and manage team effectiveness (BSBWOR502)
Lead and manage effective workplace relationships (BSBLDR502)
Elective Units
Manage meetings (BSBADM502)
Develop and review budgets for activities or projects (SISXFIN001)
Manage legal compliance in sport and recreation (SISXIND008)
Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships (SISXMGT001)
Plan, conduct and review training and recovery programs (SISXCAI008)
Plan, conduct and review coaching programs (SISSSCO004)
Manage projects (SITXMGT003)
Develop strength and conditioning programs (SISXCAI010)
Conduct sport, fitness or recreation events (SISXIND006)
Facilitate groups (SISXCAI006)
Develop and use emotional intelligence (BSBLDR511)
Manage people performance (BSBMGT502)
Lead communication in the workplace (BSBXCM501)
Manage personal work priorities and professional development (BSBWOR501)
Implement diversity in the workplace (BSBLDR504)
Manage quality customer service (BSBCUS501)
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and graduate skills.
Career opportunities
This course provides graduates with the skills to work in the Sport Development sector and reflects the role of individuals who apply knowledge, practical skills and experience in management and leadership across a range of enterprise and industry contexts. Occupational outcomes for this qualification can vary from managing competitions, sports venues and facilities and identifying and developing athletes. Work at this level would be undertaken with a high degree of autonomy.
The following are indicative job roles for this qualification:
- Competition manager
- Program developer
- Talent development manager
- Sport development manager
- Leisure and recreational facility coordinator
- Leisure and recreational facility program development
- Sport and recreation community development officer
- Sport and recreation administration
- Sport and recreation event management
- Sport and recreation consumer business officer
- Pathways with further study into Business (multiple streams), Exercise Science, Education
Aims and objectives
The Diploma of Sport (Sport Development) / Diploma of Leadership and Management prepares graduates for a career in sports leadership. Graduates will develop skills and knowledge in sports development, athletic development, leadership and business, coaching and training to prepare them for employment or to continue study into an approved Bachelor course. Students learn high performance training and nutrition skills, personal organisation skills, coaching and leadership skills, and business skills including budgeting, project management, people management, safety and compliance.
Graduate skills
The course aims to provide the skills necessary for:
- Professional communication: stakeholders, volunteers, competition staff, athletes and businesses
- Team leadership, accountability, appropriate assistance, interpersonal relationships, monitoring and compliance
- Problem solving, managing risks, negotiation, strategy and resource allocation, unforeseen issues
- Taking initiative, change management, relationship building, responding to feedback, continuous improvement
- Planning and organisation, records, multiple task management, selection processes, OHS policy
- Self-management, legal and ethical responsibilities, critically reviewing own strengths and weaknesses, assessing feedback on own performance and determining strategies for improvement, networking
- Open sharing of knowledge and experience and suitable usage of information technology related to management and planning.
Pathways and scholarships
- Pathways.
Course fees and requirements
- Entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Entry into this program is based on an applicant’s study and/or relevant work history. Some additional criteria may also apply.
Applicants require a minimum of Year 12 completion or equivalent. To ensure suitability for this program, all applicants are required to undergo an interview conducted by industry professionals. Applicants without formal qualifications but with significant relevant work experience are welcome to apply.
All applicants must maintain a current Working with Children Check and a current Police Check throughout the duration of the program.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.
Application process
- Step 1: Register your details using the form below.
- Step 2: We'll give you a call to conduct a brief interview over the phone. This is just to make sure the course is right for you, and advise you of the next steps.
- Step 3: Once you are ready to proceed, we'll email you with instructions on how to complete your online application.
- Step 4: If successful, you'll receive your official offer letter via email. This will include information on how to accept your offer and enrol, and confirm your course start date.