Why is good governance important in sport?
What does bad governance mean in sport?
If you’re looking to implement good governance in your sport, you’ll quickly find that running a club, heading up a sport or being a board member of a team doesn’t come without its challenges. A bit like a swan gracefully floating along in the water… there’s a lot of kicking going on underneath the surface! For all the wins, cups and smiling faces, there’s a lot of hard graft and teamwork in the background keeping the ship sailing along smoothly.
Success and sustainability in your sport means good governance, but it’s not be something that everyone is expected to just know how to implement off the bat. It’s knowledge you need to gain, and then apply, in order to reap the benefits. According to Emma Boggis, Chief Executive at Sport and Recreation Alliance, ‘A high standard of governance is one of the most important factors in preparing an organisation to be fit for the future’.
What is governance?
Put simply, it’s about accountability for the team’s and managers’ decisions and actions. It’s about transparency in what is (and isn’t!) going on, and going about business with integrity. It’s ‘the system by which companies are directed and controlled’ (Cadbury report, 1992).
There are seven principles of good governance, including vision, leadership and compliance. Leadership is pretty much the most integral aspect of good governance, and it must act in the best interests of the org, holding it to the high standards it sets itself. The (diverse and representative) board of directors must see to the culture, ethics and values of the sport, leading by example and making sure these are maintained. Duties will include things like declaring interests and avoiding conflicts of interest.
But the great news is, good governance naturally reduces and manages risks (as let’s face it, these can’t be completely eliminated). So whilst it’s a bit to get your head around and make sure you’re getting right, the benefits far outweigh the input.
Another natural outcome is trust gained by the team, fans, sporting bodies, partners, media and the general public. There is nothing like a good bit of CSR (corporate social responsibility) and PR for a shining reputation… and nothing quite like the fallout when it all goes wrong due to lack of attention! The embarrassment – and even organisational collapse – that many have suffered due to bad governance means they’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to. Scandal, redundancies, bad press that never quite goes away, there are a few we can name that we’re sure you might recognise.
Examples of bad governing in sport
All UK countries have governance codes or frameworks, including: A Code for Sports Governance, Governance and Leadership Framework for Wales, Scottish Governing Body (SGB) Governance Framework, and Charity Governance Code. So what happens without them, or when they’re not adhered to?
Back in 2009-10, Snowsport GB, the governing body for skiing and snowboarding, went into administration just a week before the Winter Olympics took place in Vancouver, after it came to light that hundreds of thousands of pounds were needed by the org just to stay afloat. Moving from financial to moral misdemeanors, the institutional racism found in Cricket Scotland has now been on everybody’s lips for a long time. An independent investigation found nearly 450 counts of racism, following allegations made by Majid Haq. Fast forward to the present day and into the territory of fixing, it’s looking like boxing could be dropped from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to governance issues within the sport, including accusations of ‘complicit and compliant’ referees and judges. These stories are widespread and it’s nothing short of humiliating for all involved.
Where to start with sports governance
eCoach has brought together all of the vital information needed in order to get a firm grasp on governance and how to actually implement it in your sport. We’d like to say we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to, but hey, life isn’t that easy. That said, Accelerating Good Governance is a quick and interactive online course that can be taken whenever, wherever and covers the following key learning outcomes:
- Understand more about what governance is.
- Learn why governance is so relevant to sport.
- Identify ways to include good governance in your club.
The eLearning course covers all areas relating to good governance, from policies and codes of conduct, to the need for refresher training and making sure finances are above board. You’ll come away armed with an action plan you can put into place straight away, ensuring your team and sport stays ahead of the game and you’re the talk of the town for all the right reasons.
Learn more about the course by watching the video below:
Accelerate Sport is powered by eCoach UK, eLearning solution providers.
Blog written by Alice Gunn.