Competencies of Sports Development Managers

This chapter will explore the complexities of defining the competencies needed within sports development considering the differentiation of these specialist sport roles from other occupations. Consideration will be given to establishing a framework for core and specialist knowledge, competencies, and skills (K/C/S) within sport development professions using information established by the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications, and Occupations (ESCO) Occupations review, the European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE) Change and S2A (2018) projects and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) professional standards for sport management, inclusive of sport development. The chapter will aim to synthesis the information and present a summary of the K/C/S which appear consistently, to identify a common language for sport development K/C/S. The chapter will conclude with the considerations and implications of this common language for sport development professionals, academics, and educators.