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Governance

Governance is how an organisation is managed.

A sporting organisation that demonstrates good governance can:

  • Develop strategic goals and direction.
  • Monitor organisation performance to ensure it achieves its strategic goals, has effective systems in place and complies with legal and regulatory obligations.
  • Act in the best interests of its members.

Sport Governance Principles

The Sport Governance Principles have been developed to assist and guide organisations with their good governance journey, to ensure there are appropriate processes and systems in place to enable good decision making and help organisations to achieve its purpose.

The Sports Governance Principles are:

  • Principle 1: The spirit of the game—values-driven culture and behaviours
  • Principle 2: The team—aligned sport through collaborative governance
  • Principle 3: The gameplan—a clear vision that informs strategy
  • Principle 4: The players—a diverse board to enable considered decision-making
  • Principle 5: The rulebook—documents that outline duties, powers, roles and responsibilities
  • Principle 6: The playbook—board processes which ensure accountability and transparency
  • Principle 7: The defence—a system which protects the organisation
  • Principle 8: The best and fairest—a system for ensuring integrity
  • Principle 9: The scorecard—embedded systems of internal review to foster continuous improvement

Australian Sports Commission – Sport Governance Principles

Incorporation

Incorporation is the process of registering an organisation as a legal entity, so that it is recognised by law as having an existence in its own name. Whilst there is no legal necessity for a sport or recreation organisation to become incorporated, if it remains a voluntary organisation incorporation is recommended because it allows an organisation to:

  1. Have its own ‘corporate’ identity
  2. Protect individual members of the organisation from legal liability
  3. Enter into enforceable contracts
  4. Purchase and own real estate
  5. Enter into tenancy and lease agreements
  6. Sue or be sued
  7. Accept bequests and gifts
  8. Apply for government grants
  9. Continually exist until it is disbanded by direct operation of the law

Incorporated associations in Tasmania are formed and regulated under the Associations Incorporations Act 1964 (the Act). The Act authorises the Associations Incorporation (Model Rules) Regulations 2007 (the Model Rules).

For more information about Incorporated Associations in Tasmania, visit Consumer, Building and Occupational Services.

Constitution

A constitution is a set of rules that provides the framework for the daily running of the clubs or organisations. It details the name, objectives, methods of management and other conditions under which the organisation operates.

A constitution should specify the following;

  • The name of the organisation
  • Objectives and scope of the organisation
  • Powers of the association in regard to property, finance, contacts etc
  • Membership
  • Subscriptions
  • Board
  • Meetings
  • Quorums
  • Voting and elections
  • Finance
  • Auditor
  • Dissolution (winding up)
  • Amendments to the constitution and by-laws

The constitution should be written in a clear, unambiguous and succinct manner. It should not be overburdened with items that would be better served to be detailed in the organisation’s by-laws or policies. These are usually items that can be expected to be changed and updated from time to time. In these circumstances the board should, through by-law and policy development, be empowered to oversee and manage the issues.

The constitution should set out that the members’ powers are to elect/dismiss the board, approve/amend the constitution, and accept the financial accounts.

More information and resources can be found on CBOS.

Strategic and Operational Planning

Strategic and operational plans help your organisations and clubs to clearly define goals and how they can be achieved. Plans help guide employees and volunteers to use their time and resources more effectively.

Providing clear objectives and assigning tasks to be undertaken in line with these objectives leads to better outcomes and a more coordinated, productive organisation.

  1. The Planning Process
  2. Pre-Planning
  3. Running and Planning a meeting
  4. Strategic and Operational Planning templates

Education and Training

Coaches, officials and administrators should keep up to date on the latest trends in coaching, officiating and governance.

It is important for people in volunteer and paid positions to undertake training courses to enhance the management capacity of sport and recreation clubs and organisations.

The following websites provide educational and training resources for the sector:

National Governance Resource Library for Sporting Organisations

The National Governance Resource Library for Sporting Organisations is a suite of consistent resources co-designed by the Australian Sports Commission, state and territory agencies for sport and recreation and national sporting organisations to ensure they are fit for purpose and reflect best practice in sport.

The library has a suite of resources to support and develop your organisation, including but not limited to the following:

  • Board Management – recruitment, induction, responsibilities, and functions
  • Risk Management
  • Organisation Development – Strategic and Operational Planning
  • Sport Governance Education and Training (online training modules)

Other Resources