Cultural Affairs and Sport

1. The possibilities of leveraging sporting success for job creation and sustainable club sport in the future are significant. According to the 2018 Western Cape Case for Sport research, sport and recreation are a major economic contributor and employment creator in the Western Cape. The study, based on a conservative estimate, found that sport contributed over R8.8 billion annually to the Western Cape's GDP and supported more than 60,000 jobs (Direct and Indirect) across various sectors. The report notes that this impact is likely underestimated, and that sport should be viewed ``as an important economic sector. The research suggests that major opportunities exist to position sport and recreation as a sector with a comparative advantage for increasing economic growth, tourism, and related employment.

Job creation possibilities arise from various aspects of the sport and recreation industry. The province has a competitive edge in hosting large-scale events, which act as a pull factor for tourism and the hospitality industry. Furthermore, cross-sectoral linkages exist with other industries, such as catering and hospitality. The study also found that a "critical mass of minority sport types" holds substantive economic power and potential, and that emerging types of sport like online computer gaming and social networking are growing rapidly. The research also highlights that the recreation field, although largely underestimated, contains significant informal economic potential and holds promise for employment and income-generating activities.

2. When it comes to leveraging sporting success for sustainable school and club sport, the "Case for Sport" research provides several insights. The study found that dynamic organizations are managing innovative and sustainable programmes with good relationships with the government and funders. The Club Development Programme is such an initiative funded through the Mass Participation and Sport Development Grant and DSAC, where clubs are assisted in getting established and capacitated to ensure their functionality and longevity. The aim is to assist clubs to get established and once established for them to get self-sustainable.

 The research also showed a significant increase in the number of registered sport participants, which contributes to the economic base of sport organizations. For example, the number of registered participants increased by 21.5% for the same sport categories between the 2012/2013 and 2016/2017 surveys, and by 51.8% when new categories were included. The MOD Programme, which involves some 85,000 schoolchildren, is successfully increasing youth participation, with a number of participants being "talent identified" and receiving special support. This increased participation and talent development can help create a larger, more sustainable base for club structures. The study also notes that sport and recreation have a major impact on social development by contributing to health, education, and community safety. This positive social impact can make clubs more attractive to funders and communities as vehicles for positive change.