Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences

The purpose of this module is to ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that will enable them to meaningfully and successfully cope with the demands of everyday life, and maintain a balance between academic and social life. The module emphasises the need for students to display resilience by responding to situations and events in a positive and focused manner. This module focuses on the personal development of the student as an individual and the various interrelated factors which influence self-development. The content is designed to encourage students’ personal, social, intellectual, emotional and physical growth. This includes highlighting positive emotional states, traits, constructs, theories and measurements for application in various phases of life and in different contexts.

This module aims to enable students to effectively listen, speak, read and write for academic understanding. Students will have the opportunity to build an academic and professional vocabulary in order to read a variety of material with comprehension for academic and professional purposes and to produce coherent academic texts. The module focuses on basic language structures, reading strategies and writing skills. In addition, students will be equipped to access, reference and present information in a visually appropriate manner.

The main purpose of this module is to introduce the student to the field of sport and physical education and the management thereof. The functions of management will be applied to the sport and physical education industry in particular. The module provides a comprehensive overview of fundamental management functions. Placing a continual in-depth focus on planning, organisations, and leading of sport and physical education organizations.

The Human motor skills development module will introduce students to the concepts of development, maturation, and growth associated with human development. Students will be able to define concepts related to human motor development, and describe stages of motor development and motor learning upon completion of the module. Attention is also paid to games in the school context.

The purpose of this module is to develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology. Students will have a basic knowledge of the different human physiological systems and functions which contribute to the substance of human life, including the circulatory; musculo- skeletal; respiratory, digestive and nervous system. Students will be able to apply their knowledge in exercise physiology.

The purpose of the Sports practical module is to prepare students professionally for the diverse world of sport with all its job opportunities. This module attempts to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to provide professional services within the sports industry. Students are provided with experiences that bridge the gap between theory and practice while exposing them to a diverse list of topics and issues that characterize the sports industry. To pass the Sports Practical module, students must acquire 50% for the section on First Aid in the module, obtain at least 50% for all of the assignments and prescribed activities, and provide proof by handing in a logbook and multimedia evidence of their involvement at a facility. 

Foundations of Recreation provides students with a broad introduction to recreation. An overview of leisure, recreational activities, and key aspects of recreation will be addressed. Students will discover the difference between the concepts and policies, plans, strategies and structures of sport and recreation. The dynamic scope and nature of recreation are introduced.

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the principles of injury prevention, management and risk related to sports injuries. Principles of first aid, causes of injuries, soft-tissue injuries, sport massage and fundamentals of strapping will be covered. This module also incorporates basic first aid management as well as the management and referral guidelines for athletes with injuries and with the aim of providing a current and well guided understanding of best practice for the individual working within a sport environment.

This module examines key concepts related to nutrients in food and their function(s) in the body and describes the role of foods and nutrients in energy balance and physical activity. The student will be able to identify quackery, interpret food labels and apply basic nutrition principles in advising athletes toward optimal dietary intake.

The purpose of this practical module is to introduce students to the principles of training and conditioning, and how to apply these principles in planning a training programme. It further assists the students in becoming young coaches with strong communication skills, the ability to manage athletes positively and build relationships with persons involved in sport. Students will encounter a section pertaining to the basic principles and practices of sports coaching and refereeing. In addition, they are encouraged to obtain a recognised sport coaching, refereeing and umpiring certificate in their selected sport.

Coaching Professionalism aims to introduce students to the principles that underpin coaching practices. The module will cover the importance of developing coaching philosophies, roles undertaken by a coach and skills needed to coach effectively. The aim of this module is further to equip students with skills of coaching holistically, on the sports field, during practice sessions, competitions and beyond for life. Coaches are influential in creating positive and achievement-oriented sports environments and the development of a sound philosophy is the key to successful coaching.