governance
Sport organizations in Canada govern the delivery of sport at all levels. Our resources offer credible information and practical solutions to optimize the Board and enhance the overall governance of sport organizations.
Search Governance Resources
Top 10 resources
- Canadian Sport Governance Code
- SIRC Article: Gold Medal Governance: Understanding and Optimizing the Role of the Board
- SIRC Article: The Board, the Chair, and the CEO: Role clarification within sport governance
- Sport Governance and Leadership Trend Report: Better Governance Principles
- Sport Governance and Leadership Trend Report: Board Composition
- Sport Governance and Leadership Trend Report: Board Conflicts of Interest
- Sport Governance and Leadership Trend Report: Board Recruitment
- Sport Governance and Leadership Trend Report: Board Onboarding
- Sport Governance and Leadership Trend Report: Succession Planning
- The Leading Edge: Good Practices for Creating Gender-Equitable Boards in Sport
Featured resource
Rose Mercier
Featured resource
Sport Canada
Featured resource
Rose Mercier, The Governance Coach
Quick Facts
What is “governance”?
Governance is a broad and multi-dimensional concept. It’s about oversight, steering, and directing, which can occur in 3 different spheres:
- Organizational: how sport organizations direct and manage the allocation of resources as well as their financial and non-financial profits and losses through ethically informed standards, norms and values
- Systemic: how organizations interact (for example, mutual adjustments, competition and cooperation) within a given system like the Canadian sport system
- Political: how governing bodies and governments steer sport organizations
Why is “good governance” or “better governance” important?
At the organizational level, good governance is of particular interest. This is especially the case given the governance issues seen at national and international levels (for example, corruption, conflicts of interest, and match fixing). Good governance has its roots in the corporate world. It considers who has power, who makes decisions, how stakeholders’ voices are included, and how accounts are rendered.
Although good governance is still a popular term, it leads to the idea of “good” versus “bad” governance. Instead, there’s a trend to replace the term with better or improved governance to acknowledge that all (sport) organizations can do better in terms of their governance.
Better sport governance is an ethically informed steering of a sport organization or system’s structures of practices. This includes overseeing management, making decisions, allocating resources, integrating stakeholder voices, and rendering accounts.
What happens when there is poor governance in place?
When poor governance principles are in place, there can be some serious effects on the organization and its direction. Poor governance can divert people from the strategic plan, wasting resources and time. It can also include damage to finances, reputation, and trust from stakeholders. When organizations have poor governance, their own people in the organization may leave for an organization with better governance. It is within the organization’s best interest to have good governance to maintain strategic direction, financial health, and perhaps most importantly, their people.
What is the Canadian Sport Governance Code and who needs to comply with it?
The Canadian Sport Governance Code is a system of principles and rules by which National Sport Organizations (NSOs) must comply to receive funding from the federal government. The Code outlines clear targets for sport organizations to improve in areas such as board diversity and independence, transparency, athlete representation and financial statements. To receive federal funding, NSOs must adopt the Canadian Sport Governance Code by April 2025.
What does a Board of Directors do for a sport organization?
In any sport organization, the board of directors’ role is to govern the whole organization. At all levels of sport, it’s the board’s role to ensure that a governing system is in place to:
- Clarify the sport organization’s purpose and values in consultation with its members
- Identify risks involved in fulfilling the organization’s purpose
- Direct and control the sport organization in a way that enables proper reporting
A board is 100% accountable for everything that happens in an organization. However, being accountable for everything doesn’t mean the board must do everything, or even specify how to achieve its purpose. For example, boards may delegate some responsibilities to board committees and board officers. Where there’s staff, the board typically delegates the management of the organization to 1 senior staff member, such as the CEO or Executive Director. This involves the authority to bring people together to accomplish goals using resources efficiently, wisely and ethically. When the board delegates this authority and responsibility for management, it must hold that senior staff accountable for the use of delegated authority. The Canadian Sport Governance Code identifies good principles for board management.
What are some examples of good governance principles?
There are lots of different areas to examine to improve the good governance principles of the organization. Three principles that every organization should consider are:
- Transparency: sharing your organization’s documents
- Accountability: taking responsibility of the organization’s activities
- Democracy: holding electoral processes when necessary and including stakeholders in decisions
Other examples of good governance principles include equality and inclusivity, autonomy, compliance, and board structure and composition.
How is governance different from management?
While governance and management are linked, they’re separate functions. Governance ensures organizations pursue the right purpose, in the right way, and continuously develop. This is the role of the Board of Directors. Alternatively, management is focused on “getting the work done.” Management is often led by a senior staff member, such as the CEO or Executive Director, or a senior leadership team.
What is a conflict of interest on the board?
A conflict of interest is when a board member’s ability to act solely in the organization’s best interest is affected by personal, financial, and occupational considerations. There are three types of conflicts of interest:
- Real: when a board member has a personal connection to an issue
- Potential: when a board member has a personal interest that might affect an identified future commitment with the organization
- Perceived: when someone may reasonably believe there is a conflict, even if there is not
It is always best to determine any conflicts of interests before an individual joins the board.
Video Resources
Room 3 – Sport Research & Governance | Salle 3 – La recherche et la gouvernance dans le sport
- Université de Sherbrooke, University of Ottawa, Western University, and SIRC
- 2021
Capabilities for Transformation
- SIRC, Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, Canadian Paralympic Committee, and Center for Ethical Orientation
- 2017
Driving Change Spotlight: Kyle McFarlane
- Golf Ontario and SIRC
- 2023
SIRCTalks/Exposés : Managing Sport Events to Maximize Positive Impacts
- University of Waterloo and SIRC
- 2020
Experts in the House with Warren Weeks // Pleins feux sur les experts avec Warren Weeks
- Weeks Media and SIRC
- 2020
Kelly McInenly – Decision Making, Choose with Confidence // Prendre des décisions avec confiance
- Blueprint North America and SIRC
- 2020
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Creating supportive spaces for women working in sport
A study of women managers in a men’s professional sports league uncovered prevalent sexism, including the objectification and diminishment of women. The results highlight the
A study of women managers in a men’s professional sports league uncovered prevalent sexism, including the objectification and diminishment of women. The results highlight the importance of implementing comprehensive anti-sexism training and supportive policies for women in the sports industry.
knowledge nuggets
Reducing waste at sporting events
As the demand for greener practices in sports events grows, new solutions are emerging to tackle environmental challenges. This innovative approach boosts recycling, slashes landfill
As the demand for greener practices in sports events grows, new solutions are emerging to tackle environmental challenges. This innovative approach boosts recycling, slashes landfill waste, and proves that major sports events can be both eco-friendly and cost-effective.
knowledge nuggets
Artificial versus natural grass in field sports
Have you ever wondered about potential performance differences between playing on artificial and natural grass fields? A study found that novice field hockey players showed
Have you ever wondered about potential performance differences between playing on artificial and natural grass fields? A study found that novice field hockey players showed better results on artificial surfaces compared to natural grass. However, they had more success with short distance hitting and pushing, and ball contact was higher on natural grass. Coaches and players can use this insight to tailor training sessions and focus on specific skills based on the playing surface to optimize performance.
knowledge nuggets
Official languages in Canadian sports
In Canada, national sport organizations must have a clear Official Languages Policy to ensure they meet bilingual requirements for communications, programs, services and competitions. This
In Canada, national sport organizations must have a clear Official Languages Policy to ensure they meet bilingual requirements for communications, programs, services and competitions. This policy needs to align with contribution agreements and be reviewed regularly to stay effective. Customizing these guidelines helps organizations meet Canada’s bilingual needs.
knowledge nuggets
Athlete mental health challenges are gender specific
According to a recent study, female and male athletes experience distinct mental health challenges. Female athletes more frequently report anxiety, depression and disordered eating, while
According to a recent study, female and male athletes experience distinct mental health challenges. Female athletes more frequently report anxiety, depression and disordered eating, while male athletes are more likely to struggle with alcohol, drugs and gambling. Tailored strategies are essential to effectively support female and male athletes.
knowledge nuggets
How technology influences the sport system
From boosting player performance to transforming fan experiences, AI and big data are shaking up the sports world like never before. Dive into how these
From boosting player performance to transforming fan experiences, AI and big data are shaking up the sports world like never before. Dive into how these cutting-edge technologies are redefining the sport industry!
knowledge nuggets
Local sports clubs post COVID-19
As local sports clubs try to bounce back in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, they face various challenges. Explore how these clubs are struggling
As local sports clubs try to bounce back in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, they face various challenges. Explore how these clubs are struggling to return to organized sports and emphasize the importance of using proven strategies to help them adapt and survive.
knowledge nuggets
Creating supportive spaces for women working in sport
A study of women managers in a men’s professional sports league uncovered prevalent sexism, including the objectification and diminishment of women. The results highlight the
A study of women managers in a men’s professional sports league uncovered prevalent sexism, including the objectification and diminishment of women. The results highlight the importance of implementing comprehensive anti-sexism training and supportive policies for women in the sports industry.
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