Sports Law Services
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Javelin Sports specializes in providing legal services related to all aspects of sports law. We offer quality legal advice based on an extensive insight and learned experience in the sports industry. The team has a comprehensive understanding of all the relevant legal, economic, and political aspects associated with the global sports landscape.


The firm is comprised of admitted attorneys registered with the Legal Practice Council and have also obtained post graduate certification in Arbitration and Mediation, enabling us to assist with the settlement of all sports related disputes before national and international sports tribunals.


Our legal specialization includes representation and consultancy in respect of:
  • Litigation and dispute resolution (such as contractual matters, transfer-related and regulatory disputes, and anti-doping rule violations etc.);
  • Contract negotiation and drafting of sports specific commercial agreements;
  • Disciplinary proceedings (such as match incidents, transfer-related matters, enforcement procedures and misconduct hearings etc.);
  • Ethics and eligibility disputes (such as preliminary and formal investigations, sanctions, and also in the context of eligibility issues and integrity checks etc.);
  • Providing advice and party representation in governance and regulatory matters,
  • Drafting and amending of sports regulations and statutes.

Javelin Sports is able to represent clients in litigation proceedings before national and international tribunals of all levels, and in arbitration settings on behalf of athletes, coaches and sports bodies.


Our Partner Shane Wafer is a Mediation and Conciliation expert and is a panel member for the National Centre for Dispute Resolution, founded by Titans Cricket at SuperSport Park.


The team approaches each matter with diligence and creativity, always determined to identify and protect our clients' best interests and to advance each matter in a dynamic manner exploring all possible outcomes.


Our areas of expertise include:

  • Party representation in domestic and international arbitration forums such as the PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber (PSL DRC), the SAFA Arbitration Tribunal and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), amongst others;
  • Party representation before relevant decision making and disciplinary bodies of domestic and international sports federations and associations;
  • Party representation in national courts of all levels (including the Labour Court, the CCMA, High Courts, and Magistrate’s and Regional Courts);

Some of the clients we have represented in arbitration include: PSL Coach Cavin Johnson, Olympic runners Nijel Amos, Thapelo Phora and Carina Horn, as well 2-time African Wrestling Champion Arno van Zijl.

Litigation,
Mediation &
Arbitration
services
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Governance &
Regulatory
Matters
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Javelin Sports specializes in providing advice to national and international federations on all aspects of governance, regulatory matters and safeguarding issues.


Our partners sit at board level and in the executive management of a number of South African National Federations, including the South African National Archery Association (SANAA) and have experience appearing before SASCOC commissions and committees, as well as representation on constitutional issues before SASCOC general meetings.


Our firm provides legal representation to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on aspects of governance and with regulatory disputes amongst its members.


Our areas of expertise include:
  • Drafting of statutes, articles of incorporation, internal regulations and structures as well as sports policies;
  • Representation of national and international federations at board level and in executive management;
  • Providing advice and representation on constitutional amendments, policy regulation and general sports governance practices.

Javelin Sports is on the cutting edge of this space providing a full array of legal advice in the field of media, entertainment and Web-3 law, including drafting of sports specific commercial agreements, dispute resolution, law on unfair competition, sponsoring, advertising, television broadcasting, media, image and intellectual property rights matters.


Our partners are engaged actively in the roll out of Web-3 Products to the sports sector, with expertise in blockchain and cryptocurrency products, including NFT’s.


The team advises broadcasters, media companies, television rights holders, event organizers, sponsors, athletes, clubs, federations, artists, actors and composers with our Partner Shane Wafer acting as External Legal Counsel to SuperSport Schools and representing international athletes with the role out of their NFT projects.


Our areas of expertise include:
  • Drafting and negotiation of commercial agreements (sponsorship contracts, media and television rights agreements, host broadcasting agreements, licensing agreements, agency agreements, services agreements, general terms and conditions);
  • Providing regulatory advice and legal assistance in advertising, marketing and event organization;
  • Providing legal assistance in the sectors of social media, new media and information technology (drafting of commercial agreements, regulatory advice, personality rights, and intellectual property);
  • Registration and protection of intellectual property rights and protection of personality rights; and
  • Legal advice on Web-3 Products including crypto marketplaces and exchanges and working with NFT’s providing assistance to international level athletes rolling out NFT’s in the fan engagement sector.
Media law &
Web-3
Activation
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Expertise

The Team

Shane Wafer, LL.B.(UP)

Managing Director

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Shane is regarded as one of South Africa’s leading sports lawyers representing the likes of SuperSport Schools, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).

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Jan Kemp Nel, LL.B.LL.M(Sport)

Independent Consultant

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Jan is extremely well informed regarding all aspects of national and international sports law as well as of media and entertainment law matters. He has had first hand experience in the representation of clients in front of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and other decision-making bodies of international sports federations. Jan also has significant experience in litigating in front of South Africa’s national court structures, including the High Court and Labour Courts and has been practicing in litigation and arbitration in labour and commercial law matters.

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Mohubedu Mokwala, Bcom Law (UP), LLB (UP)

In-House Counsel

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In 2012 Ralph obtained his BCom Law degree from the University of Pretoria in which he majored in Taxation and Business Management. He later in 2014 obtained his LLB from the same University of Pretoria. A passionate all-round sportsman, Ralph has played club football. He also captained his local rugby team (Westenburg Rugby Club u19) while also playing for the Limpopo Police Rugby Club at 3rd team level. Currently he is a social distance runner for the famed Tuks Road Running Club based at the University of Pretoria.

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Nick Flowers, B.Com., B.Com. Hons., LLB (WITS)

Junior Associate Attorney

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Nick heads up our social media accounts, striving to bring content that is original, informative, and engaging. Nick with his experience brings a unique perspective regarding a global model of sports regulation.   This allows him to critically assess Sports Law news not only on a global scale but within the South African and African landscape, and bring insight into the broader commercial and social issues surrounding sports.  

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The Firm

Javelin Sports Consulting was founded in 2017 by Shane Wafer and Jan Kemp Nel both South African trained, admitted and practicing attorneys. Both Shane and Jan share a passion for sports, media and entertainment law and saw the opportunity to make a difference in the industry.


Javelin Sports Consulting looks to provide first class, personalized legal advice while bringing a high-quality and constructive product to its clients. All relationships established between the firm and its clients are so established with a view of maintaining long term, strategic partnerships based on trust, competence, confidentiality and high ethical standards, driving a solution-oriented approach.


Being a boutique firm, Javelin Sports Consulting provides specialized and comprehensive legal services and advice to all stakeholders in the sports, media and entertainment industries, where traditional law firms would use external providers.


The team at Javelin Sports Consulting have an extensive knowledge and insight into the legal, economic and political aspects associated with the sports, media and entertainment industries, with a particular focus on sports litigation and party representation before the sports tribunals.


The fresh and dynamic composition of the firm also means that the team is able to provide quality advisory services in respect of new media law sectors such as Web-3 products, cryptocurrencies and NFT’s.

The team have an incredible work ethic and capacity for problem-solving and dispute resolution which they channel directly into providing the best service possible for their clients.

CAF - Confederation of African football CAF - Confederation of African football
Highlands Park FC Highlands Park FC
Nibble esports Nibble esports
Futura Sports Agency Futura Sports Agency
In-Touch Sports In-Touch Sports
Morgan Law Morgan Law
Caps United FC Caps United FC
FMF - Mozambique Football Federation FMF - Mozambique Football Federation
Sofapaka FC Sofapaka FC
AMD Management and Consulting AMD Management and Consulting
Global Soccer Solutions Management Global Soccer Solutions Management
SuperSports SuperSports
SuperSports Schools SuperSports Schools
South African National Archery Association South African National Archery Association
Drug-Free sport Drug-Free Sport
SASCOC SASCOC
SARTORI SARTORI
International Player Management International Player Management
3 towers 3 towers
PACS PACS
PACS PACS
PACS PACS
PACS PACS
PACS PACS
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Nielson Nielson
T+W T+W
BBRU BBRU
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Testimonials

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"It has been inspiring working alongside Shane. His unique vision brings a refreshing approach that genuinely educates and benefits the careers of sporting athletes in South Africa. Shane is able to professionally adapt to new environments, like the esport's industry, and follow-through with a very high level of competence".

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- Keegan Stewart - Nibble Esports

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"I have seldom met anyone with such a drive and passion to succeed and exceed in the world of sport and legal. He has provided a personalised and dedicated legal service to SuperSport, with competence, commercial acumen and enthusiasm and a human touch. If you are in the sport industry or need representation as a legal counsel, or in relation to any commercial agreements and opportunities in a digitally converged world, I have no hesitation in recommending his services"

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- Phillip Leavesley - Head of Legal at SuperSport

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"What stands out the most is Shane's ethos of prioritising the interests of those with whom he works. Shane will become a beacon of the industry and I would personally recommend his services anytime"

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- Sp Nortje - Centre for Mediation in Sport

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"Shane was exceptional to work with. Pressed with a difficult case, Shane went above and beyond to assist his client. His hard work, keen eye to detail, great writing, and overall passion for his work make him a great lawyer to work with"

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- Matthew Kaiser - Global Sports Advocates

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"Shane was able to save my career. He represented me before SAIDS with passion and competence. I will recommend him to any athlete in South Africa facing a doping suspension"

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- Thapelo Phora - 400m SA Olympic runner

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"Shane is a competent and passionate sports lawyer that provided valuable legal advice in my doping case before the AFLD"

"

- Hendre Stassen - Rugby Player (Stade Français and Blue Bulls)

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Enthusiasm & passion

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Knowledge & experience

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Dedication & Speciality

The team shares a combined passion for sports and law and the experienced gained everyday by the team ensures that we always maintain the highest levels of quality, dynamism and integrity in our work. Javelin Sports Consulting is committed to providing a unique professional service to all of our clients ensuring not only that we serve the best interests of said client but also the best interests of the global sporting community and our fellow colleagues in the industry we seek to help develop and evolve.

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