Sports & Recreation Administration
Overview
Build leadership, teamwork, project management, marketing, and communication skills through hands-on learning and real-world experience. Graduate career-ready with practical knowledge and skills valued across sport and recreation industries.
Turn your passion for business, sport and recreation into a rewarding career with the Sports & Recreation Administration program at Lambton College. Whether you aspire to work with a sports organization, lead recreation programs, or make a positive impact through community wellness and skill development, this program provides the foundation to succeed.
Students develop a strong combination of sport-specific knowledge and practical business skills through hands-on, industry-focused learning. Alongside courses in sport management, event planning, recreation programming, and facility operations, students build a foundation in marketing, accounting, human resources, entrepreneurship, communications, and project management. This well-rounded approach prepares graduates to understand both the operational and business side of the industry.
With a strong emphasis on experiential learning, leadership, and real-world application, graduates leave career-ready for opportunities across sport, recreation, health and wellness, tourism, and community organizations.
Admission Requirements
O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:
- Grade 12 English C or U
Mature Student Assessment for this program is available in the subject of English for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in this required admission subject. For all other admission requirements, applicants must complete the required course(s) as listed above. For more information, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca. Review the Mature Student Admission process.
Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Programs at Lambton College.
Costs
- Year 1 $4,780.94
- Year 2 $4,675.28
Please Note: These fees apply to the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change. Fees do not include books (unless specifically noted), supplies or living costs.
Additional Fees
-
SRM-5403 Course Fee$450.00
Scholarships Available
There are 13 scholarships available for this program, with a total value of $5,200!
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Courses
Business Mathematics
This is a course in the mathematical concepts needed for success in the modern business world. We will study percentages, ratios and proportions, exponents; algebraic manipulation and solution of equations and equation systems; plotting, graphing and reading descriptive charts; deriving and presenting descriptive statistics.
Critical Thinking & Writing
This writing course challenges students to explore diverse opinions and articulate their own perspectives clearly and persuasively. Through critical reading, students will develop skills in synthesis, analysis, comparison, and response, striving for clarity and diplomatic expression of their opinions based on factual evidence. Students will practice various rhetorical strategies of persuasion and hone their writing to ensure precision and accuracy in their messages. This course lays the foundation for a subsequent research-writing course, equipping students with essential skills for academic success.
Introduction to Sport and Recreation
Students are introduced to various topics essential to becoming professionals in the Sports and Recreation Management industry and the career opportunities available. The importance of leadership, critical thinking, professionalism, recognition of personal strengths, public speaking and the structure of sport organizations are explored. Throughout the course, students engage with industry professionals using the Clubhouse platform and also volunteer with local industry partners to assist in building their personal portfolio.
Human Resource Management
Effective Human Resources Management (HRM) is critical to the success of organizations today. This course will provide an overview of the key concepts of HR management and will include some history and theory of the HR function and important terminology. It will introduce students to the core competencies of effective HR practitioners and allow for self-assessment against these competencies. We will be discussing core HR practice areas such as Strategic Planning, HR Planning, HR Administration, Talent Management, Training, Learning and Development, Performance Assessment, Total Rewards (including Compensation and Benefits) Employee and Labour Relations and Health and Safety in the workplace. In addition, the course looks at the legal environment for effective HR management, and the role of HRM in mergers and acquisitions and organizational change management.
Marketing Fundamentals
This introductory marketing course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the principles, concepts, and practices of marketing. Marketing plays a critical role in today's business landscape, helping organizations effectively connect with their target audiences, create value, and drive business success. This course explores the fundamental theories and techniques of marketing while also emphasizing the role of sustainability in creating long-term value for businesses, society, and the environment. Students are introduced to various marketing components, including consumer and business buying behaviour, customer segmentation, marketing research, product development, pricing, distribution, and integrated marketing communications.
Accounting Theory and Practice I
This course is an introduction to the theory of accounting and the standard methods of record-keeping. Accounting principles and concepts are emphasized in the preparation of financial statements for both service and merchandising organizations. Topics include preparing and posting journal entries, adjusting and closing accounts, introductory financial statements, bank reconciliation and basic payroll transactions.
Microeconomics
This course provides an understanding of how society chooses what goods and services to produce through an examination of the laws of supply and demand as well as how and for whom they are produced, by examining the behaviour of firms, market structures and the distribution of income.
Job Search and Success
This course provides student with skills and knowledge to help support their career search and succeed in the workplace. Students align their personal skill set and goals to guide them on their career paths. They will learn how to effectively conduct a job search, build a professional and well-tailored resume and cover letter, and develop and practice interview techniques. Students will also develop their personal brand to help support effective career networking and aid in their job search. Teamwork and collaboration in the workplace are also discussed. Self-reflection is used to inspire insight and support their professional career journey.
Communications for Business
This course provides students with the skills required for professional, written, and oral communications essential to business success and subsequent courses. Students will develop database and internet research skills; prepare professional written business communication; and create, practice and deliver professional oral presentations. Students will research and document borrowed information in a business report and will demonstrate critical reading and thinking skills.
Introduction to Sustainable Development
This course introduces the concept of sustainable development to a broad audience. Students are presented with the factors that affect the environmental, economic and social sustainability of our communities. The course investigates the development of human populations and how their need for resources (e.g. energy, food, water) has compromised the natural ecosystems. Social and economic factors are explored in the context of social equality and sustainability in the local and global economy. The effects of individual lifestyle changes on the sustainability of communities are also examined.
Entrepreneurial Mindset
This course introduces students, through a Canadian lens, to the development of an entrepreneurial mindset. The ability to think like an entrepreneur and act like an innovator are critical skills for success across industries and are proven tools to help distinguish individuals in the workplace. Whether applied in a start-up company, or as an employee within an existing organization (intrapreneurship), learners develop knowledge on how to navigate barriers to creating, developing, and sustaining innovative new initiatives. Topics related to the development of resilience, focus, productivity, creativity, and success are introduced to support learners in building their own entrepreneurial capacity.
Fundraising and Sport Sponsorship
Sponsorship and fundraising play an important role in the success of sport in today's society. Students gain an appreciation for the unique challenges generating revenue through fundraising and sponsorship for sport. Students explore how marketing concepts are integrated to meet the specific needs of sponsors and fundraising campaigns and the importance of building and maintaining relationships.
Business Mathematics II
This course applies mathematical principles to problems of finance and probability. We will study simple and compound interest, annuities, bonds, project evaluation, laws of probability, and probability distributions.
Digital Media & Analytics for Business
This course provides students with a practical and strategic introduction to digital media and analytics in a business context. Students will explore how organizations use digital platforms, including social media, websites, search engines, and email, to build brand visibility, engage audiences, and drive business outcomes. The course emphasizes a data-informed approach, teaching students how to use analytics tools to measure performance, optimize campaigns, and make marketing decisions. Through hands-on learning, students will analyze real-world data, develop digital strategies, and present insights that align with business objectives. Ethical considerations, platform-specific strategies, and customer-centric metrics are integrated throughout. By the end of the course, students will be able to create a basic digital marketing plan supported by analytics and aligned with organizational goals.
General Education Elective
Sport Research and Analytics
This course introduces students to the field of sport analytics and the decision-making process teams and leagues face on a day-to-day basis. Students engage in teamwork to explore and complete sport research while examining topics including player performance measurement, in-game decision-making, and player selection/roster construction. Students explore tactics for building effective teams while emphasizing the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Sport Tourism
Students explore the history of sport tourism, its social, physical, and financial impact of sport tourism, its concepts, current practices, trends and issues. Students are introduced to the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance and its current policies and practices for bidding and hosting events in Canada.
Facilities Management
This course introduces students to the macro and micro aspects of managing sport and recreation facilities. Beginning with a focus on the evolution of sport and recreation facilities, students will explore the impact such facilities have on society. Integrating theory with practical opportunities and facility tours, students explore facility design concepts, day-to-day operations, physical and human resource management, and activity and event programming.
Tournaments and League Management
Through this course, students integrate the theoretical knowledge of tournament and league formatting and scheduling with practical experience by organizing, operating and evaluating their own tournaments and leagues. The reasons for matching the level of participation with individual characteristics including ability, age and level of competitiveness are discussed. The importance of policies, regulations, tiebreakers and rules are explored.
Selling
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to professional selling and the skills required to find success in relationship building and sales. Students are introduced to the many career alternatives available as well as the day-to-day expectations of a successful salesperson. The focus is to assist students develop their personal brand and strengthen their presentation, communication, and negotiation skills through role-playing, simulations, and applied learning exercises. Both traditional and digital prospecting methods are explored, along with the application of effective discovery, proposal creation, and problem resolution strategies, all in support of creating a customer relationship built on trust. Topics include goal setting, planning, time management, sales analytics, key performance indicator analysis, and customer relationship building. Students apply their learning in a simulated, professional business-to-business sales environment.
Workplace Communication Applications and Analysis
In today's management and administration workplace, having strong computer skills is essential. This course provides students with resources and guidance to develop skills in Microsoft Office applications, focusing on three key areas: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. While learning about these programs, students develop skills in time management, accountability, and their ability to follow direction.
General Education Elective
Personal Wellness
This course introduces students to key aspects of personal health and wellness, including nutrition, fitness, stress management, and digital well-being. Through practical application and self-assessment, students will use current health guidelines, such as Canada's Food Guide, to develop personalized goals and healthy habits. The course also explores how media, technology, and social environments influence health choices and overall well-being.
Recreation Programming
In this course students review the process of recreation programming and gain an appreciation for the importance of aligning programming with organizational mission, vision, and values. Through practical application, students explore each step of the process including an organizational program audit, program prioritization and planning, budgeting, scheduling, promotion and evaluation. Students organize and oversee drop-in sessions throughout the semester.
Special Events Management
Students examine various special events and the methods for achieving event goals. Utilizing principles of event management, students gain experience through engagement in the planning, organizing and delivery of events for various community partners. In groups, students plan, organize and deliver their own Special Event. Throughout the course, students volunteer at two Special Events. Students are introduced to Sport Tourism Canada and its current policies and practices for bidding and hosting events in Canada.
Fieldwork I
This course provides students the opportunity to gain practical experience through application of theoretical knowledge in a sport management industry setting. Working with faculty advisors students develop an inventory of skills and experiences to guide them while engaged in their field work. While students may be paired with community partners, they are welcome to secure their own opportunities which must receive prior approval.
Field Study
This course is designed to provide students with opportunities to engage in tours of high profile sport and recreation facilities while networking with industry experts in a variety of career-related areas, including team management, corporate sales and sponsorship, facility operations, and sport organization management, while discovering employment opportunities available to them in the sport industry. Depending on the locations to be explored, students may also gain insight into cultural practices, political and economic influences related to sport, and local attractions.
General Education Elective
Contact
School of Business and Sustainability Leadership
Room B2-106
Program Information
After Graduation
Lambton did a really good job with giving me confidence in my skills. Not only was I in class learning material, I had 3 internship placement opportunities here, so I was like, 'I know what I'm doing when I get out in the real world.'
Internship
You can build real-world skills through internships and hands-on learning. You may have the chance to:
- Plan and run sports events and community programs
- Help organize large events with 400+ participants
- Create social media content with community partners
- Support ticket sales, promotions, and game day operations
- Connect with industry professionals from major sports leagues
- Complete parts of coaching certification training (NCCP)
Learn through Community Partnerships
You’ll also gain experience through strong local connections:
- Work with the Sarnia Sting on real game-day and behind-the-scenes operations
- Opportunities include social media, stats tracking, video board, scouting, and supporting equipment or training staff
- Learn in a real-world setting at Progressive Auto Sales Arena (PASA) — located right on campus
More Information
Technology Requirements
It is recommended that you use a Windows laptop for your coursework. While other devices like MacBooks or Chromebooks might work for some tasks, they may not support all the software required for your program. If you're unsure, check with your professors before buying.
Internet Speed Requirements
To get the best experience while learning online, we recommend having an internet connection with at least 40 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. This will help you use video calls, attend online lectures, and access other learning tools smoothly.
Because students live in many different areas, we can't suggest a specific internet provider. You'll need to check with local companies to find one that works best for you.
Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 8GB of RAM
- 100 GB HDD or more
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wi-Fi capable (802.11n/ac 5GHz)
- Windows 11 operating system
Mobile Device
Students will require a mobile device (smartphone) for:
- Accessing your digital student ID
- Using campus applications and services
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.