Stepping onto the field for the first time is daunting for a participant. What is the purpose? What are the rules? Who is on my team? What is my position? What is the spirit of the game? Being a director or a CEO, no matter the size or complexity of the organisation, can raise the same questions. This section provides a basic understanding of sport governance and is complemented by a glossary.
What is governance?
An internet search will bring up many definitions of governance. These definitions are often more confusing than helpful because of the amount of information and the complexity of the terminology. At its most basic, governance is the system by which organisations are directed and controlled. It is the way in which expectations are made clear and the culture of the organisation is modelled. The following lists further clarify what governance is and is not.
Good governance does not guarantee success; however, poor governance almost certainly guarantees failure.
Much like a coach develops a training plan and goals for a team, governance helps set the purpose for an organisation, its vision and how it will get there. For a gameplan to be effective, it is important to know the objective, the rules, the team members, and the team’s approach. The same applies in governance.
Governance is having the processes and systems to enable good decision-making to help our organisation achieve its purpose. It is also about setting and exemplifying our agreed values and behaviours both individually and collectively.
When governing, we must follow a set of rules. These rules are determined by legislation and the constitution agreed to by our members. The rules include policies and procedures which outline what we can and cannot do.
Our governance team includes the board of directors and, where there is one, the CEO, with the support of members. We all have different roles to play including holding each other to account in achieving the best for the organisation.
Our agreed values underpin our culture and guide our behaviours. Our culture is exemplified through our trust in each other and the confidence that comes from the support of our teammates
The Governance Team
Why is sport different?
Governance is a part of every organisation. So why do we need a specific set of principles for the governance of sport? The characteristics of sport which produce a different governance environment to that of the corporate or not-for-profit sector are outlined in the following.