Diploma in Sport and Recreation

The Diploma in Sport and Recreation is a hands-on, practical course where students can specialise in either sports development/personal training or outdoor recreation leadership.

The theoretical and practical skills taught in this qualification reflect the diverse range of skills required to work in the sector.  Students will develop pathway specialisation in either sports development/personal training  or outdoor recreation leadership.

On completion, students will be equipped to seek career opportunities in a variety of areas, including fitness training and leisure centres, regional and local authorities, sporting bodies and outdoor recreation providers. Many students use the diploma as a means to further study or in preparation for a career in the police, teacher training, fire service and armed services.

An increasing number of students have used the diploma as a pathway into the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise at SIT. Students who successfully pass the diploma will have gained a year (or more) of credits within the Bachelor course. This is a real feature of the diploma course, and the step is highly recommended.

Students may choose to exit after successful completion of Year One (8 modules/120 credits) and be awarded the Certificate in Sport and Recreation.

Year One 

Students may complete a maximum of 135 credits at level 4. Students choosing the sports development/personal training pathway must select SE4120, SE4121, SE4122, SE4124. Students seeking the outdoor leadership pathway must include SE4121, SE4142, SE4143.

SE4120 Exercise Science
The paper will develop an understanding of human anatomy and physiology. The paper further investigates the integration of these systems and their responses to exercise. The relationship between the energy systems and exercise will be explored as students examine the benefits and effects of exercise on body function.

SE4121 Exercise and Nutrition for Human Performance
The paper will examine the influence of exercise and nutrition on human performance. Students will examine the role of exercise and fitness in human performance. Exercise programmes will be formulated by examining the relationship between goal setting, principles of training, methods of training and the energy system. Nutrition, metabolism, weight control, body composition and nutrition for exercise performance will also be discussed.

SE4122 Strength Conditioning and Group Fitness
The paper will introduce safe and appropriate exercises for clients in a fitness centre environment. Emphasis will be on skills in resistance training. Students will make use of movement analysis to enhance their understanding of resistance training exercises. Knowledge gained through active participation in fitness centre programmes will result in students being able to follow exercise programmes to assist in the improvement of flexibility, strength, cardio respiratory fitness and weight control.

SE4123 Professional Development
This paper will focus on skills that are universally important in the sport and recreation industries. Professionalism, communication, teamwork, team building, oral presentation and literacy will be covered.

SE4124 Sports Theory and Practice
This paper will introduce a range of practical activities common to sport and recreation within New Zealand.  Students will be involved in a variety of sports and applied exercise techniques. Extending one’s movement vocabulary further assists an individual’s ability to learn new skills.

SE4125 Industry Placement
This paper requires students to undertake an industry placement in a selected field of interest. The student will negotiate the placement, participate in a monitored appraisal programme and compile a report at the completion of the placement. The paper encourages positive, self-motivating and reflective behaviour.

SE4126 Practicum
This paper is an individual pursuit paper where the student will design, carry out and evaluate a physical activity programme to meet their prescribed performance goals. 

SE4142 Land Based Recreation and Safety
Students must select either the outdoor recreation elective or the sport elective.

Outdoor Recreation Elective
Weather, navigation and risk management are the foundation of this paper. Technical, managerial and instructional skills are introduced through tramping, adventure based learning and / or caving activities. Students will experience tramps in the Fiordland and / or Southern Lakes area. The skills learnt will assist students to competently manage themselves and others in outdoor situations. The paper aims to equip students with the technical skills that can be used to build an experience base for industry outdoor instructor qualifications.

Sport Elective
Sport skills, training programme adherence, significant competition involvement and risk management are the foundation of this paper. Technical, managerial and instructional skills are introduced through the selected season of sport.

SRD143 Water Based Recreation
This module will cover clothing, equipment, safety procedures and paddling techniques for trainees who want to experience kayaking (and/or other watercraft) on sheltered or slow-moving water. The paper aims to equip students with the technical skills that can be used to build an experience base for industry outdoor instructor qualifications.

Elective 1

Elective 2

Electives may be taken from this or another programme at Level 4 or 5.

Year Two  
Students must  complete a minimum of 105 credits at Level 5. Students choosing the sports development/personal  trainng pathway must include  SE5101, SE5108, SE5109 or SE5110. Students choosing the outdoor recreation leadership pathway must include SE5109, SE5110, SE5243.  

GEN100 Introduction to Academic Skills
This paper aims to provide students with an introduction to academic writing and presentation requirements for degree level study. It will provide students with the necessary skills to support their learning in other papers in the areas of writing, communicating, and presenting. The use of relevant technology in academic study for both delivery of information and as a source of information is also an element of this paper.

SE5102 Exercise Prescription
The paper will provide students with an understanding of safe and appropriate exercises for clients in a fitness centre environment. The focus will be on resistance training. Students will make use of movement analysis to enhance their understanding of resistance training exercises. Knowledge gained through active participation in fitness centre programmes will result in students being able to prescribe exercise programmes to assist in the improvement of flexibility, strength and weight control.

SE5103 Applied Anatomy
Students will develop an understanding of human body structure. The paper promotes integration of anatomy, kinesiology, biophysics, and biomechanics with reference to the musculoskeletal system.

SE5104 Physiology
Students will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of basic concepts of physiology as they relate to the human body.  They will be able to describe the biology and chemistry of the cell and tissues, and the systemic and inter-systemic functions, their response to exercise, which will provide a sound theoretical foundation for further studies in pathology and abnormal physiology.

SE5105 Health Aspects of Exercise and Nutrition
The paper will develop an understanding of the relationship between physical activity, health and nutrition across the lifespan. Nutritional aspects related to health and exercise for the general population and special population groups will be investigated. The paper will further examine body composition, sound nutrition, weight control and nutrition for exercise.

SE5105 Managing Sport and Leisure
The paper will develop an understanding of the sport/leisure industry in New Zealand and provide students with the opportunity to manage leisure events. Students will explore historical, political and economic influences on leisure. The role of public and private providers of sport and leisure will be investigated. Students will discuss the factors affecting the sport and leisure industry including marketing strategies and management features. An understanding of programming and participation in event management form the practical aspects to this paper.

SE5106 Sport in Society
The paper will develop an understanding of society and its relationship with sport. Students will examine the place of sport in the context of different subgroups in New Zealand society and society in general. Students have the opportunity to study theories of play and recreation and develop their own philosophy. Students will also have the opportunity to further their understanding in a selected area.

SE5108 Sport Pedagogy
The paper will introduce students to the fundamentals of effective teaching and coaching. The paper will provide opportunities for students to gain knowledge of a range of sporting and recreational activities. A wide range of sports, recreational and cultural activities will be included. Sessions will include a selection of sports, effective teaching and coaching strategies, session planning, motor skill learning, sports performance, dance and Te Reo Kori. 

SE5109 Aquatics
This paper will extend students practical knowledge and skill competence in water based activities.  A range of water sports will be covered and may include activities such as water polo, surfing, snorkelling, underwater hockey, canoe polo and sailing/windsurfing. Water safety, managing risks in water activities, swimming technique, swimming performance and  life guarding skills will form the central focus for this paper.

SE5110 Conditioning for Endurance Sport
By using endurance as a focus, students will learn and experience what it is like to be involved in endurance sports.  Students will examine nutrition, training for endurance, programme preparation, programme periodisation, first aid and event safety, as they prepare for their active participation in endurance activities. Skills such as mountain biking, flat water kayaking, off-road running and road biking form the practical basis of this paper.

SE5111 Coaching Internship

This paper requires students to undertake a coaching internship. The student will negotiate the internship, establish a contact with stakeholder participate, participate in coaching and reflect. The paper encourages positive, self-motivating, reflective behaviour and close relationship all stakeholders.

SE5243 Mountain Based Recreation - Rock/Alpine
The paper will introduce students to top-rope rock climbing, setting-up of anchors and abseiling skills on single-pitch crags. Students will travel above the bush line and experience alpine environments. Students will review and discuss literature related to outdoor recreation, challenge and adventure. The paper aims to equip students with the technical skills that can be used to build an experience base for industry outdoor instructor qualifications.

Elective 3

Elective 4

Electives may be taken from this or another programme at Level 5 or above.

Depending upon choice of electives, graduates can

• provide advice and education to the public on healthy eating habits and exercise
• perform fitness assessments and develop exercise programmes
• plan, manage and evaluate leisure and recreation events
• teach and coach selected sports such as rugby, tennis, hockey, golf or a sport of choice.

Graduates can perform academic writing and can staircase into higher level study such as the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise.

Employment opportunities may be found in sports and fitness centres and as fitness trainers or sports coaches or small business owners of fitness centres or as outdoor recreation leadership assistants.

Minimum of four years secondary education demonstrating likelihood of successful completion of the programme. Successful Year 12/sixth form year of physical education is an advantage. NCEA equivalent of 12 NCEA credits at level 2 in each of four topics.  Successful Year 13/seventh form year an advantage. Physical education an advantage.

Notwithstanding the stated criteria, applicants will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability and likelihood of success in the programme. Personal commitment and a belief in one's own ability to suceed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process. Mature students (aged 20 years and over) are welcome to apply.

International Students

Applicants whose first language is not English or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence of having successfully completed English instruction to a level deemed appropriate by the head of faculty.  Evidence may include official transcripts and or recognised English test results such as IELTS and TOEFL. 

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed the Diploma in Sport and Recreation they should have: Attended not less than 80% of the timetabled class hours and other activities for each year of the programme. Successfully completed all assessments of all modules in the diploma programme amounting to a total of 240 credits for the SIT Diploma in Sport and Recreation.

Students studying in the Diploma of Sport and Recreation part time must complete all assessment requirements for the diploma within four years of the start of study.

Credit Requirements

Diploma in Sport and Recreation credit requirements

• Students must complete a total of 240 credits as follows, with
• a maximum of 135 credits at level 4, in accordance with Schedule 1 for the Diploma in Sport and Recreation
• a minimum of 105 credits at Level 5

Certificate in Sport and Recreation credit requirements

• A minimum of 120 credits at level 4 or 5 in accordance with Schedule 1 for the Diploma in Sport and Recreation.