The sustainability of franchise cricket in selected provinces in South Africa

Abstract

The franchise system was introduced by Cricket South Africa to sustain franchise and amateur cricket. This study aimed at determining the impact of the franchise system on sustainability of amateur and franchise cricket in selected provinces in South Africa. Central to this approach was to endeavour a response to the research question of how sustainable franchise cricket was. To this end, the study presented a theoretical and conceptual framework which identified the variables suitable for survey and analysis. Through implementing a quasi-quantitative deductive approach, the identified variables of the descriptive study were tested by means of data collection via questionnaires. This pursued a non-probability sampling method through applying convenience sampling and collecting data from 208 respondents in five franchises and nine amateur unions. A response rate of (n) = 208, 74.3% was achieved. The study was limited to administrators, managers, coaches, umpires, and players. Data were captured and analysed using SPSS Version 20.0. Bivariate Spearman’s was applied in the correlation on the original data and Chi-square tests were used to determine whether there were significant relationships between variables. The results were statistically significant at p<0.05, where it was evident that neither amateur nor professional cricket was financially sustainable with the funding received from Cricket South Africa. The findings suggest that for sustainability to be achieved, greater collaboration between management and public-private sector organisations was critical. While noting that there had been an improvement in the quality of domestic competition, sustainability required stronger focus and implementation of suggested approaches. This study makes an original contribution to the body of knowledge by providing new strategies, principles, and recommendations. In addition, practical and management implications could be deduced from the findings from this study that could be used by future scholars and management in cricket franchises and sports management organisations to make cricket viable.