What is governance?
Governance refers to how sport and active recreation organisations are structured and run. It encompasses the rules, policies, and processes that guide decision-making, managing risk and ensuring accountability. The 9 Sport Governance Principles, developed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), cover the key areas of governance and support sports to achieve a high standard of governance.
Good governance helps sport, active recreation, and racing organisations operate efficiently, fairly, legally, and transparently not only for those involved in its operations, but for its members, participants, and when engaging with affiliated organisations such as their State Sporting Organisations and National Sporting Organisations. It extends to things like the management of finances, election of committee members and committee operations, and planning for the future.
Why is it important to get right?
Whether you are a large national or state sporting organisation or a local club, stronger governance helps your organisation or club to grow and thrive. It builds trust with members, attracts and retains volunteers, and help builds a positive community. It also helps organisations attract funding, manage challenging situations like disputes, risk, and conflicts, and maintain compliance with relevant State and Federal government laws and regulations.
How is good governance measured?
The ASC's Sport Governance Principles (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (SGPs) provide a framework to measure the standard of governance in Australia, and support the sport sector to improve governance practices and be more successful and sustainable.
The SGPs cover all aspects of sport governance that sport and active recreation organisations need to get right, including building and fostering strong cultures, protecting the integrity of their sport, and futureproofing themselves through strong planning and leadership practices.
The SGPs provide a framework that can help build strong governance at all levels of sport. ORSR encourages those looking to establish or improve their sporting organisation to familiarise themselves with the SGPs and engage with the help and resources available. More information can be found through the ASC (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site), starting with Sports Governance Principles: The Start Line (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site) (external site)
