OUR STORY
OUR PURPOSE.
OUR MOVEMENT.
OUR PROFESSION.
We are building a profession that is respected, recognized, and integrated into healthcare and sport performance in South Africa
The Sport Massage Association of South Africa (SMASA) was established in response to the growing need for structure, professional standards, and recognition within the Sport Massage industry in South Africa.
As demand for recovery, injury prevention, and performance support continues to grow, so does the need for a credible ethical, and unified profession.
WHY SMASA WAS FOUND
Addressing the GAP.
Building the future.
internationally, particularly in the United Kingdom, sport massage has evolved into a recognized and structured profession supported by defined educational pathways, clear scope of practice, and professional association oversight. This allows therapists to work confidently within multidiscipllinary healthcare and sport enviroments.
In South Africa, the profession has remained fragmented, with varying levels of training, limited professional recognition, and no unified professional standards.
SMASA was founded to help bridge this gap.
As a community-driven non-profit organization, we aim to unify practitioners, educators, and students under a professional body commited to ethical practice, education, and industry advancement.
EARLY INDUSTRY
The demand for sport massage grew within fitness, performance and healthcare enviroments.
NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Inconsistency in training, practice and recognition highlighted the need for a unified approach.
SMASA FORMATION
A group of passionate professionals came together to create a national association.
QCTO ALIGNMENT
Working towards national qualification recognition and regulated standards.
ALLIED HEALTH ENGAGEMENT
Building relationships with healthcare and sport organizations.
FUTURE RECOGNITION
Our goal is a respected, recognized and integrated profession in South Africa.
WHO WE ARE
A Unified Voice for Sport Massage in South Africa
The Sport Massage Association (SMASA) is a community-focused non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the sport massage profession in South Africa.
EDUCATE
Support practitioner development through education, CPD and mentorship.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Promote ethical conduct, best practice and defined scope of practice.
CONNECT
Facilitate connections between therapists, industry and employment opportunities.
ADVOCATE
Advocate for recognition and integration of sport massage within multidisciplinary care.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to unify and support sport massage practitioners across South Africa by establishing clear professional standards, promoting ethical practices, and creating meaningful opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Education & CPD
Support continues learning and professional development.
Ethical Practice
Uphold ethical standards and guide scope of practice.
Professional Recognition
Advocate for recognition and national registration pathways.
Industry Collaboration
Work with industry and allied health partners.
Career Opportunities
Create meaningful career pathways for practitioners.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to establish sport massage as a recognized, respected, and integral part of the health, fitness, and sport industries in South Africa.
We aim to become the leading professional body for sport massage therapy by:
Setting the benchmark for education, training and professional practice.
Creating a national framework for practitioner recognition and registration
Supporting collaboration between therapists and allied health professionals.
Expanding access to high-quality sport massage services for both athletes and the general public
We envision a future where sport massage therapists are valued members of multidisciplinary healthcare and performance teams, contributing to performance, recovery and overall wellbeing across all levels of scociety
WHAT WE DO
ACCREDITED TRAINING PROVIDERS
Ensure quality education through accreditation and oversight.
FACILITATE CPD WORKSHOPS
Offer workshops and CPD opportunities to support growth.
SUPPORT STUDENT PLACEMENTS
Connect students with real-world experience opportunities.
ADVOCATE FOR RECOGNITION
Work with goverment and industry partners for professional recognition
BUILD INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Strengthen the professional through strategic collaboration.
CREATE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Promote employment and entrepreneurship in sport massage.
Contact Us
Have a question, need support, or want to learn more about SMASA?
We’re here to help. Please fill out the form or email us directly — a member of our team will get back to you shortly.
- Phone
+27 83 550 1476
sportmassageassociation.sa@gmail.com
- Address
27 Lanric, Aslaagte, Mafikeng 2475