Academic Site Visits

The 2010 Class with the Academy of International Sport (AIS) at George Mason University includes the following highlites:

• Experience the magic of Africa's first World Cup. You'll be on location for 5 games, visit facilities and meet with event organizers
• Examine the impact of a mega-event as it happens
• Opportunity to participate in an international research project on the World Cup
• Our group will be sponsoring and working directly with local youth soccer teams. You will have the chance to get out and meet kids that you are sponsoring through participation in this program (yer, pretty cool!!)
• Meet soccer lovers from all over the world

From an academic perspective, our classes typically include the following. Note: Due to logistics during the World Cup some of the below activities may not be a part of the final schedule. For detailed information on the 2010 GMU class, please check out the Tour Information & Course Outline.

• Visits to South African Universities & Guest Presentations from professor's as well as social facilitation with local students
• Visit to the South African Department of Sport & Recreation to discuss government funding, their role in promoting sport & recreation in the country and its value to local communities
• Visit to the South Africa Tourism offices to discuss Adventure Sport Tourism and the impact of mega events on the local community
• A visit to a professional Rugby Union team front office & a tour of their facility and the opportunity to meet with management staff
• A visit to a Soccer club & a tour of their facility and the opportunity to meet with management staff
• A visit to a Cricket club & a tour of their facility and the opportunity to meet with management staff
• Meetings with the Australian Football League (AFL) Development Officers who are paid by the AFL to promote & development Aussie Rules Football. You'll hear about their job as well as opportunities and challenges that they face on a daily basis
• Meet with event organizers of the Comrades Marathon (which attracted 13,000 runners recently) to discuss large scale Event Management strategies
• Attend 2-3 professional sporting events of which will be determined at the time of your class. Likely Rugby, Cricket & Soccer (Note: 2010 class will not see professional Rugby & Cricket due to World Cup, although we may be able to organize a visit to club games)