The Sport and Recreation Alliance has partnered with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) to help sports organisations in the UK become the best run in the world.
The Alliance and ICSA will provide professional advice, guidance, training and qualifications for company secretaries and those tasked with leading governance and compliance in sport.
The partnership has ambitious plans to:
• help sports put more effective governance policies, processes and systems in place
• ensure sports chiefs make better decisions which reduce risk and make their organisations more sustainable
• make transparency, oversight and challenge the norm across the sector
• inspire UK sports organisations to improve their culture, values and behaviours.
A reference group with representatives from some of the biggest governing bodies in sport is being set up to design the qualifications, training and guidance so that it is tailored to the sector’s needs.
To encourage openness and information sharing, a ‘Chatham House Rule’ forum will also be established where members can discuss their issues and concerns with fellow sports leaders in confidence.
The services provided by the partnership will help every funded sport to meet Sports Councils’ governance requirements that were brought into effect in 2013.
They will also be of benefit to wider sport and recreation organisations – the Sport and Recreation Alliance represents over 300 sport and recreational activities from bowls to dance – generating positive change across the system.
Andy Reed, Chair of the Sport and Recreation Alliance said:
“Public and political concern around governance, ethics and accountability in sport is at an all-time high and whilst positive moves have been made to tackle the issues, many of our members are telling us that they need more clarity and support.
“Through this new partnership, people tasked with improving governance in sports organisations will have an impartial place to turn to so that we can make coordinated, visible and measurable long-term improvements to the way they run and manage their sports.”
Simon Osborne, Chief Executive of ICSA, said:
“Sport is part of everyday life in this country, and whether we are playing it or watching it, its impact is huge. We all have an interest in seeing the sports sector well run because that will lead to even higher levels of trust, confidence and participation.
“ICSA recognises that high-quality governance will allow sports bodies to demonstrate accountability, transparency, integrity and responsibility in their activities. The partnership provides a great opportunity for us to work with the Alliance to provide expertise and insight to support sports organisations.”
The partnership is part of the Alliance’s aim to innovate in the area of governance and, by providing support to all sport and recreation organisations whatever their size, help build greater confidence and competence in sports governance and leadership.
In 2011, the Alliance launched the Voluntary Code of Good Governance to set sector-wide standards. 64 organisations have signed up to date.
