A career in sports coaching has never looked more lucrative with the myriad of different sports to choose from. Professional coaches are more than just 'teachers of the game', they nurture and mentor players to be the best they can be and play a pivotal role in shaping lives and helping individuals realise their full potential. Professional Sports Coach Striking gold When Gerhard Maree, the head coach of the Gauteng provincial team, the Gauteng Strikers, completed Matric he planned to study physiotherapy at Tuks. Always a keen cricketer, and serious about the sport, Gerhard started coaching young boys for extra cash on the side during his varsity years. Later, he was offered a position to coach a SAPS premier league side and never looked back. After a stint at the Titans, he moved to Gauteng last year. Level playing field It's pretty difficult nailing down the right personality types for coaching. Not only does this differ on every track, court or field on the planet, but also within individual sports. Some coaches are strict and rigid, while others are more laid-back. Either could be called a 'good coach', depending on the circumstances. While good communication with people is essential, Gerhard believes that connecting with players and learning to communicate at their level is what makes the difference. Good coaches know their players. 10 SACF Vol. 7 No. 2 "Professional coaches are more than just 'teachers of the game', they nurture and mentor players to be the best they can be." By Gina Hartoog "Don't become a coach because you want to win and be in the spotlight," cautions Gerhard. "Coaches need to put people first and realise that as coaches, they are servants of the game." It's no hat trick Getting paid to do something you love must be a dream job, but coaching in sport, especially in professional teams, isn't plain sailing. It's a highly competitive market and the turnover of coaches is generally high. Good coaches get the rewards and when things don't go well, it's often the coach who gets his marching orders.

Quick facts Salary Varies according to level - R3 000 per month (school) to multi- million-rand contracts for national coaches in high-profile sports Qualifications BA Sport Coaching; BSc Sport Science; BCom Sports Management; BA Sport Psychology; NDip/BTech Sports Management; Coaching courses with various sports associations/governing bodies Working hours Professional: off season - generally office hours; in season - plenty of overtime/travel Places of Employment Schools, private coaching, tertiary institutions, clubs, company teams, provincial leagues, franchise teams In order for coaching to be a financially viable career, one needs to coach at a fairly high level. This starts from the ground up - coaching at schools and clubs before honing your skills to move on to higher levels of the game. At pro level, coaches are also dealing with different personalities - from board level to young, aspiring sportsmen. "They need to be diplomatic when dealing with the business side of sport," adds Gerhard. Wielding the willow While coaching is very much about the sport one chooses to coach and having a love for the game, it isn't only about rules, tactics and techniques. Coaches work with people. "The coach is there to bring out the best in his players and help them reach their potential," says Gerhard. He recalls how, at a coaching clinic in Mpumalanga, he helped a young cricketer to learn to bowl straight. "It took him weeks to master," Gerhard recalls. "But he gave it everything he had." Every victory may be special, but for Gerhard the real fulfilment of coaching lies in watching an individual player grow and develop, and then step up to the plate when the team needs him or her. Get the ball rolling If you're serious about getting into sports coaching, you'll have to be prepared to work hard from grass roots level. The beauty of coaching young sportsmen and women is that you have an opportunity to mentor a young child, a youngster who has the potential to become someone great - perhaps a sports superstar or important businessperson. "I always tell the guys, don't change your passion for glory," Gerhard says. "I firmly believe that if you do what you love, you'll become so good at it that people will start paying you to do it." n No compulsory subjects but the following will be beneficial: Life Sciences English Aerobics instructor, physical education instructor, fitness and health consultant, fitness instructor, personal trainer Similar Careers Subject guidelines Contact your training institute for more specific information Places to study UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: 011 559 4555 BCom Sport Management 4 years full-time study www.uj.ac.za NELSON MANDELA METROPLITAIN UNIVERSITY Tel: 041 504 1111 NDip Sport Management 3 years full-time study www.nmmu.ac.za COLLEGESA Tel: 0800 21 23 22 NDip Sport Management 2 years part-time study www.collegesa.co.za TSWHANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Tel: 012 382 4808 NDip Sport Management 3 years full-time study www.tut.ac.za CENTURION ACADEMY Tel: 012 663 6333 Diploma Sport Management 3 years full-time study www.ca.ac.za VARSITY COLLEGE Tel: 012 348 2551 Dip Sport Development & Management 3 years full-time study www.varsitycollege.co.za Sports coaches usually come through the ranks in that they have often played sport at a competitive level. Interesting websites Exercise Teachers Academy www.exerciseacademy.com Sport Science Institute of South Africa www.ssisa.com The South African Sports Commission www.sasc.org.za SACF Vol. 7 No. 2 11 * Sport & Recreation *

By Melindi Coetzee Clinical Dietician I think in pictures. When I hear the word 'dietician' I automatically see the overflowing garden of Yuck: Tons and tons of broccoli, peas and Brussel sprouts; everything that you wouldn't consider a treat when it comes to spoiling yourself a little. A very dear and slightly overweight friend always says to me: "When I die, I'd rather be fat than hungry!" Funny, but very true for most people. In general all people enjoy eating - it's a form of socialising and entertainment. We compete against one another to see who the ultimate braai king is, who can eat the most hot dogs in five minutes, and we have overgenerous royal feasts for Sunday lunches. And yet the most common New Year's resolution made to date is to lose weight! Food for thought La Rochefoucauld said: "To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art." According to Melissa Janse van Vuuren this is exactly what her job entails; assisting people with eating intelligently. "Firstly, I don't grate cheese or chop vegetables in the hospital kitchen, or any kitchen for that matter. Secondly, I don't only assist people with losing weight; that's only a small part of my job and most important of all; yes, I eat chocolate! All in moderation of course, but I also like treats," Melissa says as she puts things into perspective. Carry a lot of weight Dieticians have a wide variety of working conditions as they work closely with people and, as we all know, every person is different. "I mostly work indoors and I'm on my feet five out of the eight hours a day," she says. "Some days can be exhausting when I have many patients to see. Some days are fun; I sing songs with children and help them colour, I 12 SACF Vol. 7 No. 2 "The most common mistake people make when it comes to their health is waiting to make lifestyle changes after being in the hospital. Prevention is better than cure." laugh at the jokes patients make and some days I am the joke; like when a little one 'repeats' his earlier meal on my shoes!" A typical day would be started with ward rounds. Here patients are evaluated according to their weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), daily blood values and how they are reacting to the treatment and their ability to eat. Back at the office Melissa consults with clients on a one-to-one basis, discussing their individual needs. "I will assist my client to make the necessary lifestyle changes. A report is then written to inform the client's doctor about the lifestyle changes," she says. Like all careers, there are some downsides to being a dietician. "We sometimes work with very ill patients that do not always survive. Seeing family members mourning over a loved one is heart-breaking," Melissa says. "The best part however is when a patient calls you 'Doctor' by mistake," she laughs.

Quick facts Salary R12 000+ per month Qualifications Bsc Dietetics Working hours 08:00 - 16:00 Places of Employment Hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies and private practices When a patient is able to understand his/her medical condition better, along with how nutrition impacts his/her life, Melissa goes home happy. "Another big sparkle in my heart is when a 700g premature baby leaves your hospital weighing a healthy, whopping 2kg!" Worth its weight in gold Melissa explains how the dietician profession has evolved: "Years before I entered this field, dieticians mostly saw diabetic, high blood pressure and overweight patients and worked in the kitchens. Today a more hands-on approach is used whereby dieticians work closely with doctors." As with any medical profession, dieticians need to obtain points on an annual basis to stay qualified. These points are obtained by attending congresses, meetings and forums. Reading up on medical material is also vital. "This helps us to keep our 'carrot' as sharp as possible," she jokes. Where there are people there will always be food and where there's food there'll be a need for nutritional guidance. This is one profession that will only expand as time goes by. n Dietary aid, environmental health officer, food scientist, food technologist, food services manager, sports scientist Similar Careers Subject guidelines Mathematics Physical Sciences Life Sciences Contact your training institute for more specific information Places to study UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE Tel: 051 401 9111 BSc Dietetics 4 years full-time study www.ufs.ac.za NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY Tel: 018 299 2221 BSc Dietetics/Nutrition up to PHD level 4 years full-time study www.nwu.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO Tel: 015 267 0152 BSc Dietetics 4 years full-time study www.ul.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA Tel: 012 420 3111 BDietetics 4 years full-time study www.up.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH Tel: 021 808 9111 BSc Dietetics 4 years full-time study www.sun.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE Tel: 021 959 3900 BSc Dietetics 4 years full-time study www.uwc.ac.za Interesting websites Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA) www.dietetics.co.za Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) www.hpcsa.co.za SACF Vol. 7 No. 2 13 * Sport & Recreation *

Do you love sport, keeping fit and want to work with children? You can combine these interests and get part-time work as a children's fitness instructor. You'll be rewarded by watching the children develop and flourish. Children's Fitness Instructor With obesity in children on the increase today, getting them active and off the TV couch is vital. Kids need exercise to grow and develop both fine and gross motor skills. There's also a psychological benefit to getting kids involved in sport - it makes them feel good about themselves and helps to build self-esteem. A child's anatomy is different from that of an adult's, and exercises need to be tailored for him or her. A child's skeleton is still growing and exercises during childhood can have an effect on bone health for the rest of a child's life. As a fitness instructor, you'll also be able to present some valuable life-skills to the children - on healthy eating and drinking water to keep hydrated, as well as the benefits of regular exercise. Getting involved Monkeynastix, a popular children's holistic programme, combines creativity, music and storytelling with basic training in flexibility, balance, strength, agility, co-ordination and body awareness. The franchise operates at many pre-schools across the country. Franchise owners employ instructors to visit the schools and present the exercise sessions to the children. Times are flexible and well suited to students who are able to dedicate a few hours a week to training. Some franchise owners may require that you sign a contract for a year, while others work on a month-to-month basis. Monkeynastix offers a course including theory and practical modules to all instructors. You complete the training course over six days. Instructors are also qualified through the South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) General Leaders Course (GL), accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Warming up You'll need to be passionate about kids - especially little kids at the pre-primary level. An interest in sport and a friendly, energetic and extroverted personality is a must. Lessons usually last about a half and hour - with a five minute workup to music, the main 14 SACF Vol. 7 No. 2 By Gina Hartoog activity and the cool down and ending programme. Instructors are remunerated according to how the franchisee has set up his or her business. Some pay a monthly income, others work on commission - the more kids you teach, the more you earn. Other opportunities Other programmes presented throughout South Africa may also provide opportunities for employment in kids' fitness. Some programmes concentrate only on the exercise and fitness aspect, while others use sports to encourage activity. Little Kickers, a football training programme, offers classes in four different age group categories. Planet Fitness offers kid's exercise programmes (Planet Play) at their gyms. To find local clubs and programmes in your area, contact a few pre-primary schools and ask which programmes they use. Not all are franchises and there may be a privately run club in your area. A good starting point for franchises and other national programmes is to visit the company website for the correct process to follow for application as an instructor. You may need to submit a CV. Include your current studies, work experience and any sports that you have been or are involved in. n "Franchise owners employ instructors to visit the schools and present the exercise sessions to the children." USEFUL WEBSITES * Monkeynastix www.monkeynastix.biz * Little Kickers www.littlekickers.co.za * Planet Fitness www.planetfitness.co.za Part-time ©Levigruber

Give your career a head start! BENONI AND SPRINGS CAMPUSES * Management * Finance, Economics & Accounting * Marketing * Office Adminstration KWA-THEMA CAMPUS * Civil Engineering & Building Construction * Electrical Infrastructure Construction * Engineering and Related Design * Tool Die and Moulding * Process Plant Operations SCHOOL OF INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SPRINGS CAMPUS * Information Technology & Computer Science ICT OPEN LEARNING SPRINGS CAMPUS * ICDL * MS Digital Literacy * MOS * Cisco IT Essentials * MCDST, Comp TIA A+, N+, Security * "Committed to excellence!" PROGRAMMES OFFERED NATIONAL CERTIFICATE (VOCATIONAL) REPORT 191 NQF LEVEL 2 - 4 (NATED PROGRAMMES N4 - N6) Minimum requirement: Passed Grade 9 Duration: 1 year per level BUSINESS SCHOOL BUSINESS SCHOOL SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING DAVEYTON CAMPUS * Electrical Infrastructure Construction * Engineering and Related Design Minimum requirement: Passed Grade 12 BENONI, BRAKPAN AND SPRINGS CAMPUS * Financial Management * Marketing Management * Business Management * Human Resource Management * Management Assistant SCHOOL OF CREATIVE & SOCIAL SERVICES SPRINGS CAMPUS * Hospitality * Tourism ENGINEERING SCHOOL (Semesters) (Semesters) (Trimesters) BENONI, BRAKPAN, DAVEYTON AND KWA-THEMA CAMPUSES * Electrical Engineering * Mechanical Engineering * Civil Engineering CALL CENTRE AGENT TRAINING (Trimesters) OFFERED @ KWA-THEMA CAMPUS Duration: 3 months (full time) 6 months (part-time) Minimum requirements: Passed Grade 12. * BENONI CAMPUS * SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE-BRAKPAN * DAVEYTON CAMPUS * KWA-THEMA CAMPUS SPRINGS CAMPUS Limited Bursaries available Tel: 011 730 6600 * info@eec.edu.za * www.eec.edu.za I want to know more - please send me info on your programmes! Name: .............................................Surname: ................................. Postal Address: .................................................................................. Code: ...................................................E-mail: ................................. Study eld on interest: ........................................................................ E-mail to: info@eec.edu.za or fax: to: 086 547 7162 (Terms and conditions apply)

Cycling Learning to ride a bike is a combination of co-ordination, gross and fine motor skills and most importantly, balance. A child actually needs to master these in order to ride the bike - keep it steady, peddle and steer at the same time. Once you've mastered these skills, you're not likely to forget it, even if you don't ride a bike for 20 years. Just like learning to ice skate is essential before you can play ice hockey, learning to ride is the first step in competitive cycling. Cycling Without the invention of the wheel... we wouldn't have the bike. It's something of a mystery on who exactly invented the wheel, but it probably dates back to around 8000BC. The oldest known wheel dates back to 3500BC. It was discovered in archaeological diggings in Mesopotamia. Think 'old bike' and you think Penny Farthing... but this isn't the world's oldest bike. Not by a long shot. The Penny Farthing, with its one big and one small wheel, was developed in 1871. A wooden scooter-like bike called a celerifere was developed by a Frenchman around in 1790. A German inventor is often credited as the creator of the bike we know today. His invention in the early 1800s had two wheels and a primitive handle bar. There were no peddles and you moved the bike with your feet. Cycling as a sport... actually started as an extension of acrobatics. The invention of the bicycle was new, so simply riding it caused euphoria. As the bikes developed, so did Catch the SA Career Focus team in action at the 2012 Momentum 94.7 Challenge: Wayne Mallinson - Editor in Chief; Liezl Maclean - Editor; Melindi Coetzee - Public Relations; Bronwyn Kemsley - Graphic Designer; Tania van Niekerk - Graphic Designer; Dewald Davidtsz - Marketing Manager; Justin Augustine - Journalist 16 SACF Vol. 7 No. 2 By Gina Hartoog Did you know that before a child can learn to ride a bike, she needs to master certain skills and reach a specific level in her development? Riding a bike may be an old hat to older kids and adults, but to a five-year-old child, it's an important skill to master. We're cycling... their use. Soon races were developed and clubs began to spring up. The more technology advanced, the more the sport grew. Cyclist took their bikes 'off road'. Other sports such as skate-boarding and motor-racing developed from the advent of the bicycle. The first documented cycle race took place in 1868 in France, with a city-to-city race following the next year. The Tour de France made a debut in 1903. Professional cyclists... commit to a demanding lifestyle. The sport requires 100 percent dedication. Cyclist spend two to six hours each day training - a combination of riding and training in the gym. They may also lift weights to build core strength. The Momentum 94.7 Challenge... is the world's secondlargest timed cycling event. It's held every November on the streets of Jozi. Around 25 000 to 30 000 cyclists hit the road for the competition. Momentum and 94.7 Highveld Stereo are main sponsors of the event. Cyclists race over a gruelling distance of 94.7km. On the Saturday before the race, there is also a 40km (five 8km laps around the Waterfall Country Estate) and a Mountain Bike Challenge (30km and 55km) on the Sunday before the race. n ©Craig Dutton Gameplan Media

©Darren Berrecloth Red Bull ©Craig Dutton Gameplan Media Meet Arran Although Arran Brown grew up racing motorcycles, his father's passion for cycling turned his attention to the bike. Arran first entered the 94.7 Cycle Challenge at the age of 16 and achieved an impressive finish. He soon realised that cycling held good future prospects for him and he began to focus his attention on the sport. In 2009 Arran achieved a South African first - winning the 'Triple Crown' in one year by placing first at the Cape Argus Cycle Tour, the Amashovashova and the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge. He was also the winner of last year's 94.7. When did you learn to ride a bike? I learnt to ride a bike when I was three years old. During my high school years I used to cycle everyday with my close friends. This became a competitive afternoon training session each day. I entered the 94.7 and my dad, who was always a keen cyclist, allowed me to use his 'cool' racing bike for the big day. Do you choose cycling or did it choose you? I guess in a way cycling chose me. I was really serious about my athletics during my schooling career. Cycling was a good way of cross training for my athletics. Soon I began enjoying the thrill of beating my school friends during our afternoon cycling sessions. I took a gap year after Matric and found myself sitting in London looking across the Thames River pondering about my future career. I sat on a bench and decided cycling was my best option, I needed a challenge and I needed to feel that winning feeling more often. I was enrolled to study BCom Marketing at the University of Johannesburg, which I did not start due to my full-time commitment to making my cycling career a success. What's been your most memorable win to date? My most memorable win has got to be winning the Cape Argus Cycle Tour in 2009 in a big bunch sprint. I beat Tour de France stage winner, Robbie Hunter. This was a huge achievement for me personally. That same year I went on to win the Momentum 94.7 which was another memorable victory for me. What do you think every cyclist needs to know before he/she gets on a bike? Every cyclist needs to know that a proper bicycle setup is critical before getting started. Having your setup done by a professional bike fit technician will help prevent injuries and help you ride comfortably. The bike fit technician will measure you up and advise you on what size bike to purchase. After this you will then need to spend some time getting the bike adjusted according to your physical structure. Why are helmets super important for cyclists? Helmets have saved many lives. As a child I always argued about wearing helmets, I said it looked stupid and that if a car hit you how could a helmet help save your life? I have been a full-time professional cyclist for five years and I have seriously changed my way of thinking. I have broken a number of helmets from crashing. If I did not have a helmet on I don't know what may have happened. I crashed this year during the Tour of Morocco doing 70km/h and slammed my head as I rolled backwards. My helmet cracked in half; this saved my life. Please wear a helmet at all times! n For more information visit: Cycle Fit www.cyclefit.co.za SACF Vol. 7 No. 2 17 Sport

SUPPLEMENTS: should you use them? It's almost Summer and we'd all love to have perfect beach bods by December, but dieting and exercise can be a mission. This makes supplements that sound like quick-fixes extremely tempting. There are an overwhelming amount of supplements on the shelves that promise weight loss and muscle gain, but are they safe and do they really work? Teenagers and supplements Teens are easy targets for supplement advertisers as during high school people tend to feel more insecure about their bodies than ever. Despite the exaggerated claims, the truth is that there's little scientific evidence to prove that the majority of supplements are effective or safe for anyone, let alone the youth. The effect of supplements on teenagers is unknown because it's illegal to test on people younger than 18. Many high school athletes take supplements, but doctors strongly recommend that they don't. Some supplements can damage your body and also mess with your hormones, which is the last thing a teenager needs. If you're under 18, you shouldn't take supplements. The truth about three common supplements Creatine: The effectiveness and safety of creatine are extremely questionable. It affects every individual differently; some people don't respond to it at all while others experience unpleasant side effects including anxiety, headaches, severe dehydration, breathing difficulty and diarrhoea. There have been reports of kidney or liver damage and heart problems, and long-term effects are not fully understood. We wouldn't recommend it to anybody, but don't even consider it if you're under 18, have diabetes, high blood pressure or problems with your liver or kidneys. Protein supplements: The body needs protein to repair and maintain itself, and people who exercise a lot or want to build muscle mass might need to increase their protein intake. However, unless you're a pro-athlete or a bodybuilder, chances are you don't need protein supplements. It's much healthier and entirely possible to get all the protein you need from your diet. Upping your protein intake won't do a thing 18 SACF Vol. 7 No. 2 By Jeanne du Plessis "There's little scientific evidence to prove that the majority of supplements are effective or safe." unless you're working out intensely, and ingesting too much protein can damage your liver and kidneys. Fat burners: Numerous supplements claim they'll boost your metabolism, suppress your appetite and promote weight loss. They're called a variety of names including fat burners, thermogenics metabolic enhancers or body toners. Many fat burners have been proven to be ineffective and dangerous, causing numerous unpleasant side effects from anxiety, heart palpitations and depression all the way to kidney damage, seizures, strokes and heart attacks. Avoid them like the plague if you have any heart, hormonal or digestive conditions, or if you're a highly-strung person. Ironically, over time fat burners can cause adrenaline resistance, insulin resistance and a slower metabolism - you could end up weighing more than you did to begin with. If you're taking or considering supplements, keep the following in mind: * If a supplement sounds too good to be true, it probably is. * Many doctors and nutritionists say that if you're eating a healthy diet and exercising you don't need extra supplements. * Talk to a doctor or sports medicine specialist before you start taking or combining supplements. * Tell your doctor about any medication you're taking, prescription or over-the-counter, as certain supplements may not be safe for you. * More isn't better; supplements can be dangerous at high doses and the dose recommended on the bottle is usually much higher than necessary. * Supplements are not substitutes for exercise and a healthy diet. * While prescription drugs are rigorously tested, supplements are not. They can be sold with limited or no proof of effectiveness, purity or safety. * A range of contaminants, including arsenic, pesticides and heavy metals, have been found in several supplements. * "Natural" doesn't necessarily mean safe. Many "natural" supplements have been linked to scary side-effects including kidney problems, liver disease, nerve damage and even cancer. n ME vs the World ©Julos Stock