01 November 2021

These resources are now live and available to support NSO governance processes.

1. NSO Model Constitution 

The NSO model Constitution document has been designed  to assist NSOs to adopt updated  Constitutional arrangements that align with contemporary best practice and recent changes to the legislative and government environments for sport.

The model constitution takes into account the Sport Governance Principles and the Sport Governance Standards to their most mature governance level, and therefore reflects contemporary best practice governance arrangements. The model constitution also supports alignment with the National Integrity Framework and policies covering the hearing and determination of disputes and grievances, including through the National Sports Tribunal.

There is no obligation for NSOs to adopt the model Constitution in its entirety, and when utilising NSOs must tailor the document to align with requirements of their organisation and sport.

For further information on application of the NSO Model Constitution contact sportsgovernance@ausport.gov.au

2.  National Sport Directorship Register

Following an industry co-design process, Sport Australia released the evolved Sport Governance Principles in August 2020, and has subsequently been working to align its various tools, resources and templates to the evolved Principles. To that end, and to further support the governing of sporting organisations, Sport Australia has updated and relaunched the National Sport Directorship Register.

The Register has been developed to link candidates with opportunities for director positions on the boards of sporting organisations.

The updated National Director Register now better reflects the skills, experience, motivations and diversity profile outlined in the evolved Principles, and now also captures important roles such as such as Board Chairperson, or of specific Board Sub-committees such as Audit & Risk, Nominations and Governance Committees.

The Register is open to anyone interested in becoming a director or committee member of a sporting entity. Candidates are required to indicate their relevant skills and are then notified when a sporting organisation is seeking candidates with those skills to fill specific vacancies. If the candidate is interested in the position, they will be required to engage within the nominations process of that sport.

We encourage all sports to;

1. Promote registration through your networks https://www.sportaus.gov.au/careers/nsdr
2. Utilise the database when recruiting for Directors- contact sportsgovernance@ausport.gov.au

3. Expression of Interest - Director and Chair Success Profile

Boards are best able to fulfil their roles and responsibilities when the directors have a diversity of skills, perspectives and backgrounds and a culture that values this diversity. This diversity of perspective means the board is more likely to consider different options, risks and implications leading to more informed decision-making.

With this in mind, Sport Australia is partnering with DDI International to develop and implement Success Profiles for Board Directors and Chairs. A Success profile defines the competencies, experience, knowledge, and personal attributes which contribute to the success in the position.

Sport Australia is seeking expressions of interest from Directors, Chairs and CEOs to be part of the consultation phase to establish success profiles which will;

• Articulate clear expectations around the technical and interpersonal skills needed by Board Directors and Chairs to execute strategy and achieve business goals.
• Create a common approach and language for recruiting and developing Board Directors and Chairs

Specifically contributors are sought in the following areas

1. Individual interviews of between (45-60mins)
2. Member of 3 small focus groups (3.5hrs)

If either you or your sport is interested in being involved in one of these consultation groups, please express your interest to sportsgovernance@ausport.gov.au

NEW Director Education Course (current and new Directors) – COMING SOON!

Our sporting community relies on dedicated leaders who appreciate that best practice means being at the forefront of knowledge and open to continuous learning and development. ‘The Start Line’ is Sport Australia’s first ever online Director Education Course designed for sporting Directors at all levels, and all backgrounds, to provide a baseline for a professional and thriving sporting community.

All Directors including experienced Directors are encouraged to complete this course.

We wish to thank John Croll, Liz Ellis, Margot Foster, Marina Go, Ben Houston, Sarah Kenny, Gillon McLachlan, Andrea McQuitty, Kieren Perkins, Rob Scott, Michael Smith and Gabrielle Trainor who have all contributed to the development of the course, and whose expertise will ensure that the course is a valuable and practical resource for sporting Directors across the country.

If you need any further information or support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to sportsgovernance@ausport.gov.au