A Referee is a person who usually has a whistle and makes sure that a particular sports game is played according to the rules.

They also make sure the players maintain discipline during the game.  When there is an infringement, the Referee with blow the whistle and appropriate rules will be put in place.

A Referee will be highly knowledgeable about the sport he/she referees in.  They will know the rules inside and out. 

They will need a strong personality to maintain discipline in the teams.

Some Referees work part-time at clubs and schools.  These Referees will have a different day job to supplement their Referee income.   Other Referees are full-time professionals and referee at the top level.

In some sports, the Referee is known as the Umpire.  In both cases the job description is very similar.

• Examples of some sports that use Referees:  Rugby, Boxing and Soccer
• Examples of some sports that use Umpires:  Cricket, Baseball and Hockey

What does a Referee do?

• making sure the rules are followed throughout the game
• ensuring that both teams are treated fairly
• disciplining unruly players
• remaining impartial (unbiased) throughout the game
• being a positive role model for players
• keeping up to date with rules and regulation changes

Are you … ?

• 100% passionate about a specific sport?
• observant?
• unbiased (fair)?
• healthy and fit?
• a peoples’ person?
• decisive?
• confident?

How do I become a Referee?

Every sport has its own rules and regulations.  Each sport also has its own requirements for Referees or Umpires.

One way to start is by becoming involved as a volunteer official at your local club.  This is one way to learn more about the sport (rules and regulations) and then move on to becoming a part-time Referee or Umpire.

Here are a few ways you could become a Referee:

• TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

3 year – National Diploma in Officiating and Coaching Sciences

• NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY

Offers courses on soccer refereeing

http://www.nwu.ac.za/p-news/pm_867.html

• SA RUGBY REFEREES

http://www.sareferees.com/recruitment/

• WP CRICKET UMPIRES ASSOCIATION

http://www.wpcua.co.za/training.htm

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Sports Coach and Sports Agent 

Is becoming a Referee the right career choice for me? 

See below for more info.

OFO No: 684101

What is a Diver?

Are you an ocean lover who would rather be in the water all day than working a desk job? Consider an adventurous career in diving, working underwater at various depths with breathing equipment and protective gear.

For many, diving is seen as something to do for fun or sport, but actually diving is a paying skill in demand by a number of industries in South Africa and all over the world.

A Diver can choose to pursue a profession in various areas or organisations:  

COMMERCIAL DIVERS

• Exploration and production: example: diamonds
• Shipping:  underwater construction, repairs, mining, maintenance, surveying, monitoring and salvaging, etc
• Oil Industry: divers get to work underwater on oil rigs etc
• Scientific/Research: conducting underwater research for the fields of oceanography, mineralogy, and biology
• Tourism:  tour operators taking tourists on shark dives and/or other adventurous diving experiences

MILITARY DIVERS

Trained divers of the SA Navy form military operational diving teams who are placed on ships along the coasts. Tasks vary from finding mines to salvaging wrecks to assisting with disasters.

POLICE DIVERS

For those with interested in the criminal field, police Divers are needed to assist in investigations, search and recovery operations, and crime prevention tactics.

DIVE into a wild career!

What does a Diver do? (depending on what area of diving they work in…)

• work with explosives
• survey the ocean bottom
• find food sources
• repair pipelines
• perform maintenance on ships and oil rigs
• collect ocean rocks and minerals
• take film footage of ocean life
• recover sunken ship parts
• recover bodies submerged in water
• take tourists on diving tours:  shipwrecks dives as well as shark dives etc

Are you … ?

• passionate about the sea and diving?
• a person with good stamina?
• a person with good sight and hearing?
• claustrophobic?  If yes, this will not be a suitable career for you!
• in excellent physical and medical condition?
• dedicated?
• enthusiastic?
• work well under pressure?
• willing to travel?
• a strong swimmer?
• prepared to work in difficult natural conditions?
• willing to be in closed spaces for considerable lengths of time?
• a team player?

How do I become a Diver? 

Here are just a few diving schools:

• SA NAVY

The SA Navy Divers offers young men and women excellent diving training opportunities which are both physically and psychologically challenging. 

http://www.navy.mil.za/SANCareers/divers.htm 

Minimum requirements:

http://www.navy.mil.za/SANCareers/requirements.htm

• DOWN SOUTH SCUBA:  (Cape Town)

Offers a variety of PADI courses:

• SEADOG COMMERCIAL DIVING SCHOOL:  (Saldanha Bay)

Offers a variety of scuba diving courses:

• PROFESSIONAL DIVING CENTRE:  (Durban)

Their courses are recognized by: IMCA, The UK HSE, ADAS Australia, IDRF, NDC, DOL and others.

PDC is the only diving school in South Africa, which can offer other international certifications such as ADAS.

• B.S. DIVERS:  (Hermanus)

BS Divers offers the following Department of Labour, South Africa approved commercial diver courses.

• JACK’S DIVE CHEST:  (Strand)

Offers courses in:

• Specialist Underwater Mining & Exploration
• Body Recovery & Evidence Collection
• Specialist Underwater Welding Proficiency
• Chamber Operators Course
• First Aid
• Tools Training

• SCUBA.CO.ZA:  (Johannesburg, Pretoria and Vaal Triangle)

Offer a variety of PADI courses from beginner to Master Courses and many specialized courses too.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Marine Biologist and Professional Golfer

Is becoming a Professional Diver the right career choice for me?

The job of a Caddy (or Caddie) is to carry a golf player’s bag and clubs, and sometimes gives advice and support.  He/she is usually an independent (self-employed) contractor and not employed by a golf club.

What does a Caddy do?

• carry the golfer’s clubs throughout the game
• clean the clubs and balls throughout the game
• know the yardages (distances) between the ball and the pin (flag)
• know where all the hazards are along the course
• rake the bunkers and sand-traps after the golfer has used it
• replace divots (chunks of grass) if golfer has made them
• hold the pin (flag) on the green while golfer is putting
• offer assistance or advice if asked
• keep up to date with the rules, techniques etc
• keep up to date with players, rakings, golf news
• learn about the details of each golf course
• join online forums to chat with other caddies

Are you … ?

• passionate about golf?
• fit and strong?
• responsible?
• observant and attentive?
• neat and tidy?
• always prepared?
• dependable?
• punctual?

How do I become a Caddy?

Visit a local golf course regularly and meet golfers – offer to caddy for them. Be as friendly as you can. 

Try learning as much as you can about the game of golf as well as all the technical words used in golf – so that you are prepared.

Actually playing golf and understanding the game would be extremely advantageous!

Some golf clubs offer a development programme, for example:

• GLENDOWER GOLF CLUB: (Johannesburg)

http://www.glendower.co.za/index.php?page=caddyassociation

• THE GOLF SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE:  (Gauteng)

Offers a variety of courses for up and coming golfers – these courses will also help you get more skills and understanding of the game of golf so that you may end up caddying for a professional golfer. 

The more skills you have – the more likely you are going to jump ahead of the rest.

• TGSE INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR ACADEMY

A full-time programme for Grades 10, 11 & 12, where learners combine intensive golf training with private school education. 

http://www.tgse-golf.com/juniorprogrammes.html 

Minimum requirements:
Grade 9 if applying for Grade 10.  Excludes remedial schools.  A passion and a talent for golf.  Lower handicaps are given preference for enrolment.
All applicants must undergo:
•    Interview with TGSE Director
•    Interview with Abbotts College Principal
•    Game Assessment Session – R400 interview & assessment fee payable

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Professional Golfer and Sports Coach

Is becoming a Caddy the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

A Professional Sportsperson is an individual who channels all their energies into a particular sport so that they can compete at the highest level and make it their career. 

They make their money usually through prize winnings and/or through endorsements of sponsors for example:  Nike, Coke and Tag Watches to name a few.

Professional Sportspersons can be found in almost any sport, for example:  soccer, rugby, cricket, golf, sailing, swimming, tennis, athletics etc.

What does a Professional Sportsperson do?

• training, training and more training
• gym and exercising
• honing their skills and improving every aspect of their game/sport
• working with a coach
• if in a team, working with other team members and a coach
• eating correctly
• keeping up to date with new technology in the sport
• traveling to international competitions
• competing at the highest level
• keeping up to date with what their competitors are doing
• attending to injuries (rehabilitation, physiotherapy etc)

Are you … ?

• passionate about sport?
• extremely good at a particular sport?
• world class?
• competitive and driven?
• an extremely hard worker?
• willing to put hours and hours into training?
• committed, focused and dedicated?
• fit and healthy?

How do I become a Professional Sportsperson?

The quickest way to become a Professional Sportsperson is to excel at school.  Try and get into your 1st team.  Make sure that you participate in as many school matches as you can. 

You may get picked for your province, where a talent scout may spot your sporting talent and help you achieve your goal. 

If you are really good at school, someone may spot you even earlier.

Enter relevant sporting competitions.  Do the best you can.  Once you start winning club and national championships you may be invited to participate in the international arena. 

Once you hit the world scene and you’re still on top of your game – the world is your oyster and sponsors will instantly come your way.

But be aware, that the minute you start losing your winning streak – the sponsors, fans and attention will fall away.  This means you have constantly got to maintain and improve your skills. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Caddy, Sports Agent and Referee

Is becoming a Professional Sportsperson the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

95% of Professional Golfers make their living from:

• teaching the game of golf :  privately in 1-to-1 sessions, from a golf school or a club
• running golf clubs and courses:  private, corporate or municipal
• dealing in golf equipment:  working in a pro-golf shop

The other 5%, if they are extremely skilled and lucky, will end up playing golf on the professional circuit.  They will earn their living through competition winnings and endorsements.

Many club and teaching professionals start working in the golf industry as caddies or as an assistant in a pro-golf shop.

What does a Professional Golfer do?

• practicing and practicing the various skills of the game
• coaching others
• traveling between competitions
• keeping up to date with golf equipment, rules and regulations and competition schedules
• if coaching, ascertaining problems with the client’s/student’s swing or game
• designing appropriate training sessions
• maintaining fitness levels by building stamina, flexibility and doing light weight training

Are you … ?

• good at golf?
• good with people?
• patient?
• a good teacher?
• self-motivated?
• dedicated?
• willing to practice and practice?
• able to accept disappointment?
• punctual & professional?

How do I become a Professional Golfer?

If you’re still in school, play for your high school team and then play for your college team. The more competitions you enter, the better you’ll become.
Get a job as a club pro or an assistant pro at a teaching facility or a golf club.
Get a part-time job in a golf store.
Take refresher courses throughout your career.  Constantly strive to improve your game.

• PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (PGA)

If you are keen on becoming a Golf Professional (as opposed to a Professional Golfer)?  This apprentice programme might suit you.

• The PGA Apprentice Programme:

Introduction, Application Process, Guidelines and Rule 

http://www.pga.co.za/education/apprentice-programme.php 

Minimum requirements:

• 18 years or older
• Matric with a suitable qualification re literacy sciences and maths
• A 5 handicap for men and an 8 handicap for ladies
• Employed under a full PGA member in a green grass environment i.e. golf club or driving range

• THE GOLF SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE:  (Gauteng)

http://www.tgse-golf.com/?gclid=CI_elYiClLECFRMgtAodRDqBmA

The Golf School of Excellence is South Africa’s premier golf academy for producing professional golfers.  The only academy in South Africa to offer elite performance training and academics through our various full-time programmes:

• High School Programme (Grade 10 to 12)  – International Junior Academy

http://www.tgse-golf.com/juniorprogrammes.html

A full-time programme for Grades 10, 11 & 12, where learners combine intensive golf training with private school education.  TGSE has collaborated with Abbotts College to provide the education part of the programme.

• PGA Golf Diploma – Golf College (Post-matric programmes) – Elite Academy

http://www.tgse-golf.com/pgagolfdiploma.html

Minimum requirements:

• Matriculation Certificate or equivalent
• Interview with Programme Director
• Game Assessment Session

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER:  Caddy/Caddie and Turfgrass Manager

Is becoming a Professional Golfer the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.

A Jockey is a professional athlete who rides horses in horse races. The word, Jockey can also apply to camel riders in camel racing.

Jockeys are easily identified by their brightly patterned ‘silks’ worn on race day.

Jockeys are usually self-employed and are contracted by horse trainers and owners to ride in races. Jockeys are generally represented by agents who negotiate the best mounts (rides) for them.

What does a Jockey do?

• liaise with the trainers and owners of the horses
• they learn all about the behaviour and temperament of the horse they will ride
• research competitions, races and their opponents
• develop race strategies
• maintain a low weight
• keep fit, trainand ride
• race around the country or even overseas
• conduct post-race interviews

Are you … ?

• passionate about horses?
• slightly built?
• Male: 40kg or less and under 1.55m?
• Female: 44kg or less and under 1.54m?
• fit, strong and with good stamina?
• in good, healthy, physical condition?
• fearless?
• self disciplined to maintain weight requirements?
• confident?

How do I become a Jockey?

• THE SOUTH AFRICAN JOCKEY ACADEMY (SAJA)

It’s the only institution in South Africa that offers an apprentice programme for youngsters keen on becoming professional Jockeys. 

Both male and female apprentices are considered for admission for an apprenticeship regardless of their race or creed, provided they meet the physical and academic criteria. 

You can finish school (Grade 10 to Grade 12) through the Jockey Academy.

Minimum requirements:  Grade 9.  The youngest admission age is 15 years and the oldest admission age is 17.  There are also weight and specific measurement requirements which are strictly adhered to. 

See this link for these:  http://www.saja.co.za/jockeyselection.shtml

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Horse Trainer and Farrier

Is becoming a Jockey the right career choice for me?

See below for more info.