The Sport and Recreation Alliance has announced a partnership with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) to improve the governance of sports organisations.
The Alliance and ICSA will provide company secretaries, and other people who are responsible for governance and compliance, with advice, guidance, training and qualifications so that they can meet the Sports Councils’ new governance requirements for funded sports.
A ‘Chatham House Rule’ forum will be established to provide members with a place to discuss issues and concerns with fellow leaders in confidence.
Andy Reed, chair of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, said: “Public and political concern around ethics and accountability in sport is at an all-time high and while positive moves have been made to tackle the issues, many of our members are telling us 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 manage their sports.”
The partnership has four aims:
- To implement effective governance procedures and policies in sports organisations
- Help leaders to make better decisions - reduce risk and improve sustainability
- Make transparency, oversight and challenge the norm across the sector
- Inspire sports organisations to improve their culture and behaviour
The Alliance is an umbrella organisation for governing and representative bodies of sport and recreation in the UK. It has more than 300 members including the FA, UK Athletics and the Ramblers. In 2011 it launched a voluntary code of good governance to set out sector-wide standards – 64 organisations have signed up so far.
