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SMGT40420

Academic Year 2026/2027

Mgmt of High Performance Sport (SMGT40420)

Subject:
Sports Management
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Alexander Latinjak
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

High performance sport is a complex industry in which sporting success depends not only on financial resources, infrastructure and technical expertise, but also on how organisations, teams and people are brought together and managed. The aim of this module is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the management of high performance sport environments, with particular attention to how organisations create conditions that support sustainable performance, athlete development and health.

The module takes a multi-perspective approach to the organisation and management of high performance sport. Students will examine how clubs, teams and sporting organisations establish cultures and practices that align performance ambitions with athlete and staff development and wellbeing; how organisational values can inform public engagement, reputation and market value; and how the recruitment and integration of athletes, coaches and support staff contribute to coherent and functioning performance environments. Attention will also be given to the management and support of junior and elite athletes facing the demands, transitions and challenges associated with high performance sport.

Throughout the module, students will consider high performance environments as social and organisational systems in which relationships, roles, expectations, interests and wider contextual circumstances shape both management decisions and sporting outcomes. Theoretical concepts will be examined alongside practical cases and management problems across different high performance sport settings. After undertaking the module, students should have developed the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to critically examine high performance environments and make informed management decisions concerning the organisation, development and support of athletes, teams and sporting organisations.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify and explain the core organisational, cultural and relational components of a high performance sport environment.
2. Critically analyse high performance sport environments using appropriate management and contextual frameworks.
3. Apply knowledge and understanding to address management challenges relating to athlete, staff and team performance, development and wellbeing.
4. Critically evaluate approaches to recruitment, culture development, athlete management and stakeholder engagement in high performance sport.
5. Demonstrate competence in developing and delivering a learning session on a management topic related to high performance sport.

Indicative Module Content:

Leadership and Management in High Performance Sport; High Performance Cultures and Environments; Organisational Values, Identity and Public Engagement; Recruitment and Team Composition; Talent Identification, Development and Transition; Managing Junior and Elite Athletes; Coach and Staff Management; Performance, Development and Wellbeing; Social and Organisational Contexts in High Performance Sport; Managing Interdisciplinary Support Teams; Governance and Decision-Making in High Performance Sport.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Proficient

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Proficient

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Not addressed

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Competent

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Not addressed

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Not addressed

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Proficient

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

54
Autonomous Student Learning

160
Lectures

36
Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In line with the MSc programme values, the module utilises an teaching and learning approach which places students at the centre of the learning experience; promoting a collaborative and interactive learning process. Students have the opportunity to actively engage and learn during the module through lectures, class discussions, seminars, reflective learning and group work

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Group Work Assignment: A series of in-class group problem-solving activities in which you will analyse practical high performance sport management scenarios and develop and justify appropriate responses. Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Viva Voce: An individual presentation and discussion analysing and resolving a practical high performance sport management case. Week 12 Graded No
50
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be provided with feedback on their individual assignment post assessment.

Name Role
Dr Tom Fabian Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Alexander Latinjak Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor James Matthews Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 29, 30 Thurs 12:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22 Thurs 12:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 25, 26, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 12:00 - 14:50
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