Changing lives through sport: Futsal coach’s UPOnline journey

For Sanjeen ‘Tovey’ Ramnarain, sport has never been just a hobby; it’s a way of life. A dedicated futsal and soccer coach, sports administrator, and father of two, Ramnarain lives and breathes sport.

This passion led him to enrol in the UPOnline Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences, the University of Pretoria’s (UP) first fully online undergraduate programme. After two years of balancing work, family, and study, Ramnarain is part of the first cohort of graduates obtaining the UPOnline Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences at the 2025 UP Spring graduation ceremony.

A journey fuelled by sport

With years of coaching under his belt and several accreditations, like FIFA futsal coaching, SAFA grassroots soccer, and fitness training, the sports lover felt the need to formalise and deepen his understanding of the science behind sport, earning a UP qualification.

“I’ve always loved sport and health from an early age”, Ramnarain explains. “I had a desire to understand how human performance and exercise interlinked. Working as a coach, I knew studying Sports Science would broaden my knowledge. It would provide a pathway to a rewarding career and equip me with the knowledge and skills to significantly impact health and fitness in society.”

Hailing from Tongaat on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, Ramnarain works as a Freight Accounts Clerk in the province. Outside of work, he leads multiple sports roles, including Head Coach of a national franchise futsal team and Technical Director at STR247 Soccer & Fitness Academy, where he mentors children aged 5 to 13.

Giving back to the community

For Ramnarain, futsal, the fast-paced, indoor version of football, is a powerful tool for development.

“Futsal is more than a sport, it’s a high-intensity training ground for real-life skills”, he says. “It teaches speed, control, creativity, and smart decisions under pressure.”

Ramnarain sees his UPOnline qualification as more than a personal achievement; he says it is a tool for social impact.

“I must share my skills and knowledge with my roots, which is my community, it is essential that they understand how the human body functions during sport, define the mental aspects, expertise how diet affects performance and how the mechanics of human movement enhances performance. I believe the little changes to mindset can make a positive difference.”

Advice for future UPOnline students

As one of the first graduates of UP’s fully online undergraduate programme, Ramnarain says those interested in enrolling for the programme must develop strong time management and self-discipline, which is critical to getting the most out of the qualification. It is important to build your communication and analytical skills and be prepared to adapt to the dynamic sports and exercise sector.

I highly recommend seeking internships or apprenticeships early on to gain practical experience and network with professionals in the sports industry—this will do the world of good for your 12-month practical module.

If you are working full-time, developing a structured approach to manage your workload is essential. Focus on key goals and break down complex tasks into manageable steps; otherwise, your Sundays will never be the same again.

“I’m proud to be part of the first UPOnline Higher Certificate in Sports Sciences graduating cohort, and I plan to use what I’ve learned to give back to my community.”