The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an Indoor Aquatic Centre for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. The main problem was to establish the minimum aquatic facilities an Indoor Aquatic Centre must have, to be able to host National and International aquatic events. The sub problems identified to address the main problem were as follows: - Should accommodation be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should medical facilities be available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be a gymnasium at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Should there be food malls available at the Indoor Aquatic Centre? - Will sports tourism in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre? In this study the researcher discusses current tourism opportunities, possible sports tourism opportunities and the current aquatic facilities the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole has to offer. From the discussion regarding these issues it was found that the metropole do offer many attraction opportunities including the following: - Adventure and Sport; - Agriculture; - Arts and Culture; - Business and Conferencing; - Coastal and Beaches; - Entertainment and Shopping; - Historical; - Wild Life and Nature. Adventure and Sport attractions contribute to sports tourism in the metropole and an Indoor Aquatic Centre could enable the metropole to improve sports tourism figures to the metropole. Sports tourism is defined as any tourism that is linked with a sports event. The conclusion can be made that the main initiative for sports tourism is to host a major sporting event to attract tourists. Adding other tourist attractions makes the destination more attractive. It is also important that the community is educated and informed about sports tourism so that the tourist and the community benefits from the event. Indoor Aquatic Centres found in countries like Australia, Canada, Europe, Russia, The Far East, United Kingdom and the United States of America, were discussed to identify the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The literature study has shown that the Indoor Aquatic Centre should be a multi purpose centre with a minimum of two heated pools and leisure facilities included. This will enable the centre to generate different streams of income to enhance sustainability. The aquatic centre should also be designed to host National and International events, but not necessarily for Olympic Games events. An empirical study was done to see if the respondents agree on the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre, identified by the literature study and if they agree that sports tourism within the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole will benefit from an Indoor Aquatic Centre. The conclusion of the empirical study is that the respondents’ view correlate with the information found during the literature study regarding the minimum requirements for an Indoor Aquatic Centre listed as follows: - The minimum number of heated pools are two consisting of a fifty metre ten lane pool and a twenty five metre ten lane pool; - A food mall that consists of a restaurant, fast food stalls and a food store; - Medical facilities, conference facilities, gymnasium and other leisure facilities must also be available; - Accommodation facilities must be available and consists of two and three bedroom fully serviced apartments; - The Indoor Aquatic centre must be able to have seating for 2000 people and parking for 1000 vehicles. The study has addressed the main problem and the sub problems, but further research needs to be conducted regarding the funding of the Indoor Aquatic Centre as this issue was not successfully addressed. More information is needed regarding the different ways of funding and who the stakeholders should be in this process.

published_or_final_version / Community Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

Title: Sports opportunities in Benešov and its vicinity Objectives: The main objective of this thesis is to assess and analyse the sports opportunities in Benešov and its vicinity and to propose, on the basis of the obtained results, certain changes that could improve the current situation. Methods: The thesis uses primarily the analytical method of research. The method was applied in analysing the local sports grounds, sports facilities and sports clubs. In order to gain vital information from the inhabitants of Benešov, a set of interviews was also used. Furthermore, the SWOT analysis was applied as a means of obtaining a clearer assessment of the local sports environment. Results: The local sports situation has been assessed and analysed. The local sports grounds, sports facilities and sports clubs have been analysed. Opinions of the local inhabitants have also been gained by means of a set of interviews. On the basis of obtained information and opinions, various recommendations for improving the current situation have been created. These recommendations are aimed both at the municipality of Benešov and at private entities and sports clubs. It was established that the inhabitants of the town are largely content with the sports opportunities in Benešov, the major problem can be seen in their...

M.Comm. / South Africa are the proud hosts of the FIFA 2010 Football World Cup™, and deservedly so. A significant effort has been placed in winning the bid and continues this continues to be the situation as construction and infrastructure are being put in place for event. Time is fast becoming limited, now with just less than three years to go, proper development is essential. Outside the rush and pressure to be ready for this event and the economic benefits that that are attached, the opportunity exists to divert some of that momentum into something that will last way beyond 2010 – sustainable youth development programmes and football clubs. This entails that grassroots development and youth football development programs are structured and sustainable in order for well-rounded, well-developed players to graduate from it for many years to come. This study set out to ascertain the extent to which business management principles are applied in the management of football, as well as to explore the availability and applicability of policies and programmes provided by government and the national federation. The exact population size was extremely challenging to determine, largely due to insufficient and non-centralised record keeping by national and regional administrators. A sample size of 30 (n=30) that was geographically representative of Gauteng, was drawn. Researcher-administered interviews, with questionnaires, were used in the investigation. Meaningful insight was provided in the fact that only 33% of the respondents were aware of the White Paper on Sport and Recreation South Africa and indicated that there was a degree of alignment to it. The study highlighted the fact that while this document, and other policies regulating and supporting sport and sport development nationally are available, the respondents indicated a general lack of knowledge of these tools made available by the South African Department for Sport and Recreation and its partners. The National Federation, SAFA, devote little effort to football development programmes and while strides are being made in this regard, the increments of success are very small and potential benefits do not materialise. One further aspect concluded from the study was the lack of a clear understanding of what sport development, and football in particular, encompasses, and thus what a development programme should include. Current football programmes were found to be lacking with regard to the holistic development of players, as well as coaches, administrators and officials, in areas that extend beyond the tactical and technical aspects of football.

Thesis. (M. Tech. (Dept. of Marketing, Faculty of Management Sciences)) -- Vaal University of Technology, 2011. / Spectators are key constituents of sport organisations’ success as a large spectator base attracts sponsors. Once a spectator enters a sport stadium, the physical environment and the experience of the game may lead to a relationship with the environment and a team resulting in the spectator either revisiting a sport stadium, recommending the venue to others or avoiding the environment. Spectator attendance at sports stadia is also a primary sources of revenue for sport events. Stadium attendance also brings different benefits for spectators as a stadium can add excitement and atmosphere to an event experience and opportunities for socialisation within the environment. The main purpose of this study was to determine the role of servicescapes in spectators’ attendance at selected sport stadiums in Gauteng. Since sport depends on the facility for its production and service delivery, place (distribution) is an essential component in the marketing mix, as it can lead to approach or avoidance behaviours. The study was conducted at two different stadiums namely (Soccer City (formerly FNB) and Orlando stadiums) in the Gauteng Province. A quantitative research approach was used. A structured questionnaire was administered to 200 spectators using non-probability convenience sampling. Data from a total of 170 completed questionnaires were analysed. Data analysis was undertaken in two phases: firstly by pilot testing the questionnaire and secondly by the consolidation of the main survey findings through a more detailed analysis. The data was analysed with a view to address the objectives of the study. In order to ensure high quality analysis, all evidence was considered and all major rival interpretations were also addressed. Factor analysis was used to determine the various servicescape dimensions. Seven factors of servicescape were extracted, namely scoreboard quality, refreshment provisioning, facility aesthetics, space allocation, stadium accessibility, seating comfort and stadium cleanliness. The findings in this study indicate that there is significant positive correlation between the seven factors and future attendance and also a desire to stay within the stadium. The regression analysis reported significant predictive relationships between the stadium servicescape, future attendance and also a desire to stay within the stadium. Regression models depict that spatial allocation and functionality followed by stadia cleanliness made the greatest impact on spectators’ desire to stay within a servicescape and seating comfort and facility aesthetics significantly contributes to future patronage. Recommendations in this study suggest that stadium management and sport marketers should not concentrate on one factor but on several servicescape factors in order to maintain spectator patronage on sport stadium. By fulfilling spectators’ expectations, sport marketers and stadium management should ensure that spectators are satisfied with the stadium facilities and the physical environment to maintain their retention and loyalty to the stadium. / Central Research Committee. Vaal University of Technology.

This document is submitted in partial fulfilment for the degree: Masters of Architecture (Professional) University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2015 / Globally people are at the edge of their seats wide-eyed with passion and awe for the spectacular and entertaining world of motor racing, admiring the world’s most powerful machines and talented drivers battling through the race tracks with lightning speed and outstanding agility. Due to lack of public support, poor management and funding the motorsport culture is rapidly dying out and race tracks are becoming exceedingly underutilized in South Africa. Through Architectural intervention, the aim is to transform the underutilized Kyalami race track into a vibrant and entertaining motorsport venue that will integrate motorsport back into society and preserve this iconic race track that maintains the national motorsport culture alive. Apart from the shear entertainment value motorsport provides it has always united people from around the globe and enabled the production of some of the most technologically advanced machines of our time. Recognising the tremendous value motor racing had, the iconic Kyalami race track was built in South Africa, situated between Johannesburg and Pretoria, which hosted a great number of International Grand Prix events. Motorsport soon gained a major cultural, political, social, economic and spatial presence in South Africa. After almost three decades the race track was removed from the Formula 1 Grand Prix calendar, among other major motorsport calendars, due to sanctions. The poor entertainment value over recent years has led to a major decline in public and sponsor interest in local motorsport. In return Kyalami has become unsustainable which, in the past year, nearly led to the loss of the iconic race track which would have further rendered the local motorsport culture extinct. This recurring scenario around the country becomes the vital point of enquiry for this thesis; the role of Architecture in promoting the motorsport culture; the long-standing relationship between the automobile and Man and its influence on the urban fabric and architecture that is part of our everyday experience. Sited on the Kyalami race track, the architectural design will include an urban framework that will better integrate the current isolated race track with its surrounding context. The framework will include outdoor public activity spaces as well as research, training and workshop facilities that will accommodate the public’s needs and interests at the same time uplift and promote both the automobile and motorsport industry. The primary Kyalami Motorsport Centre sited by the existing southern pit complex will not only offer an enhanced trackside and racing experience to both spectators and race teams but the necessary auto-tecture that will host thrilling motorsport events and promote the nation’s young talented drivers / GR2017

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--Universität Bochum, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes special study report entitled: The application of roofing system and materials for long span building in Hong Kong. Includes bibliographical references.

In the past two decades, the popularity of Extreme Sport (X-Sport) has rapidly increased in Hong Kong. “Exploration of Excitement” would be the main reason why teenagers and young adults would like to play X-Sport. Unlike other sports, X-Sport does not require any rules, restrictions or physical requirements for its players, which provides more freedom and creativity. However, the general public does not agree with this particular interest group due to their misunderstanding with limited knowledge of the X-Sport. Also, there are only few existing X-Sport park and related facilities in Hong Kong and most of them are located at unwanted spaces with poor environmental and facilities qualities, which leads X-Sport player would play at local parks and unused space in their neighbourhood. Damages on landscape feature are normally appeared in these local parks recreational spaces. Due to the lack of societal supports and deficiencies in government, there are only six existing X-Sport park in Hong Kong, where they are all inaccessible and far apart. This thesis aims to promote X-Sport by using an X-Sport park as a median to integrate both young and old generations in physical and social aspects, not just exists as a functional space for X-Sport players. A roundabout site, Chai Wan Roundabout Garden, in major transport interchange in Hong Kong Island is selected for the development of this concept. Three stages design process has been incorporated. The first design stage has developed based on the primary site-observation and comprehensive site analysis. The second design stage is to conduct a special study of a landscape technique with both local and international case studies. The third design stage is to combine both first and second stages development and formulate the final design solution. Comments from first and second juries has been addressed and amended accordingly. / published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture