How accounting can lead to a career in sports

Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your career journey?  

I am the current Chief Executive Officer of the South African Football Association, and also an online tutor for the Financial Management in Sport module under the International Sports Management programme. 

I studied Accounting at university, earning a BCom in Commerce, followed by a BCom Honours in Accounting, both in South Africa. I then began working in audit, but I never qualified as a chartered accountant, which was the original path I intended to take. I ended up working at EY [Ernst & Young accounting company]. Later, I left to pursue a master’s in Sport Management at Loughborough University, which led me into the sports industry. 

How do you find the time to teach an online course and balance your life and work? 

This year, I said to myself, it’s about making time. You have to make time for the things that you want to do. In the evenings, once my kids are asleep, I make sure to set aside an hour to focus on things that are not work-related – unless I have an evening meeting at work. In the mornings, after dropping the kids off at school, I force myself to go for a walk. When I return, I shower and then do something non-work-related before getting back to work. 

Lunchtime is another opportunity to check in with the students. When our programme is active, I have to remember to go online, check what the students are saying, and post things for them. Of course, the other tutors are also instrumental in helping when I can’t manage things myself. 

I think the programme is well-structured, with checks and balances in place to remind everyone what needs to be done.  I've been on the course since 2020 when we started with [programme director] Dr Oscar Mwaanga, and I've seen the course grow with more students and tutors joining. It's been a fulfilling journey, especially when you see students graduating and securing positions in various organisations. They come back to share their success stories, which makes it all worthwhile.  

Despite the challenges, you know you've played a positive role in someone's life. Ultimately, we all want to make a positive impact, and through this course, we are doing just that. That's why, when they asked me to reapply, I was more than happy to, despite my other commitments, and continue being involved in the course. 

So, what do you think the students get out of this programme? 

I think these courses are so good because they connect people from all around the world, and you don’t often have that opportunity otherwise. It’s about connecting people from their country but also within their industry. 

One doesn't just need finance to work in an organisation; it’s essential for themselves too. For example, budgeting in anyone’s life is important, and understanding how to read financial statements is key. If you're going to invest your own money into a company, you need to understand how that company works before you put your hard-earned money into it. 

I think even just a basic understanding of finance is crucial. I ended up in sport, but I studied finance, and I really appreciate the financial background I gained through education and experience. No one can shortchange you or lie to you about figures when you know how to interpret financial data. That’s key for anyone in any organisation. 

I’ve also helped on the strategy course – strategic governance and leadership. That’s key for people who are looking to become leaders in their spaces, whether they end up as CEOs, directors, or heads of whatever. When you become a leader, strategic management is crucial. You learn the theory behind a certain topic, and later on, you’ll find yourself automatically applying what you’ve learned, often without consciously realising it. 

Learn more about the International Sports Management programme and the Financial management in sport module.