Recognition for NSO
What is Sport?
The ASC has a long-established definition and criteria for recognising which activities are defined as sports and which sporting bodies are recognised as national sporting organisations (NSOs).
‘Sport’ is defined as: 'A human activity capable of achieving a result requiring physical exertion and/or physical skill which, by its nature and organisation, is competitive and is generally accepted as being a sport'
ASC Recognition of Sport
The ASC recognises more than 85 organisations as NSOs, including national sporting organisations for people with a disability (NSODs). These organisations have satisfied the ASC that they have a national perspective and that each is the pre-eminent organisation taking responsibility for the development of the sport in Australia.
Of these recognised sporting organisations, more than 60 receive financial assistance from the ASC. Recognition by the ASC of an NSO/NSOD does not automatically confer eligibility for funding.
The ASC assesses submissions for recognition twice annually, in February and August. The deadline for lodging submissions is 31 January and 31 July.
Eligibility
An Eligibility criteria for the recognition of National Sporting Organisations by the Australian Sports Commission is a document that outlines a range of criteria that must be met by the organisation.
Support to Recognised Organisations
If an application for ASC recognition is successful, an NSO/NSOD will be eligible to receive the following support from the ASC:
- the right to use the ASC logo and/or the following words on stationery (letterhead, complimentary slips), in sponsorship and funding applications, annual reports, newsletters and magazines, and sponsors page or similar on organisation’s website as outlined in the ASC Acknowledgement Guidelines for Recognised National Sporting Organisations. The words to be used in these circumstances are: “The Australian Government through the Australian Sports Commission recognises <NSO name> to develop <sport name> in Australia”;
- the opportunity to apply to use the Commonwealth Coat of Arms on playing and dress uniforms of Australian representative sports persons and by accompanying officials on their dress uniforms (requests must be made in writing to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet);
- entry in the ASC’s online Australian Sports Directory as the national sporting organisation for sport name;
- invitations to attend workshops, seminars and other ASC forums conducted for recognised national sporting organisations;
- access to NSO services from the National Sport Information Centre;
- access to the ASC’s National Coaching Accreditation Scheme, National Officiating Accreditation Scheme, associated programs and services as specified by the ASC from time to and advice on the development of coach and official training programs.
Assessment for Funding
The assessment of recognised NSOs/NSODs for funding takes place in two stages.
- assessment of recognised NSO/NSOD status and performance across three key areas - Excellence, Relevance and Effectiveness; and
- determination of the allocation of funds to each sport based on NSO/NSOD strategic plans and priorities, in line with ASC objectives.
The ASC completed a major assessment of NSOs/NSODs for recognition and funding in May 2005. The next assessment will be conducted in May 2009 for the 2009-2013 funding cycle.
NSO/NSOD funding allocations are reviewed annually in light of the NSOs/NSODs performance against the objectives and performance measures listed in its costed operational plan, as well as compliance with ASC requirements.
Which are the current recognised NSOs?
A list of the ASC Recognised NSOs and NSODs is available from the Australian Sports Directory Online.
Use of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms by sporting bodies
The Commonwealth Coat of Arms is the pre-eminent mark of Commonwealth authority. Its use, with a few limited exceptions, is limited to the Commonwealth Parliament, the Government and the Federal Courts. However, since 1922, Australian representative national sporting teams participating in international competitions have been able to seek Commonwealth Government permission to display the Arms on their uniforms.
Contact
Sports Consultant
Funding and Strategy Unit
Sports Performance and Development
Australian Sports Commission
PO Box 176
BELCONNEN ACT 2616
Tel: (02) 6214 1698
funding&agreements@ausport.gov.au
- ASC Governance Principles 2007 (
PDF - 255.3 kb) - Eligibility criteria for the recognition of National Sporting Organisations by the Australian Sports Commission ( PDF - 42.7 kb)
