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.
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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
Rose Mercier, The Governance Coach
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Sport Canada
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
Mini-Series: Mastering The Art of Evaluation — Part 2: Accessing the Evidence
- Brock University, University of Ottawa, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment LaunchPad, Queen's University, and SIRC
- 2021
SCRI Keynote: First Nations and Partnerships
- YMCA and SIRC
- 2024
Kelly McInenly – Decision Making, Choose with Confidence // Prendre des décisions avec confiance
- Blueprint North America and SIRC
- 2020
Sport, Leadership and Social Change Webinar Series
- Royal Roads University
- 2024
Warren Weeks- The Art of the Great Presentation // L’art d’une excellente présentation
- Weeks Media and SIRC
- 2020
CFRA Interview – Dr. Ann Pegoraro
- SIRC, Laurentian University, and Bell Media
- 2019
Knowledge Nuggets
knowledge nuggets
Parenting meets podium
Parenting meets podium: This research offers a game plan to help Canada’s high-performance sport system better support pregnant, postpartum, and parenting athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Welcoming newcomers into winter sports
Research shows that winter sport can be a powerful way for newcomers to Canada to connect with their communities. But for this to happen, programs
Research shows that winter sport can be a powerful way for newcomers to Canada to connect with their communities. But for this to happen, programs need to be designed together with newcomers and long-time Canadians. Effective approaches include offering family-friendly options, reducing financial barriers, and creating space for participants to build relationships while being active.
knowledge nuggets
The gap between promotion and practice in sport governance
A recent review looked at the values sport organizations often profess to follow, such as transparency, accountability, and democracy, which are often vague and not
A recent review looked at the values sport organizations often profess to follow, such as transparency, accountability, and democracy, which are often vague and not backed by action. When assessed, organizations were generally applying them only at a basic or moderate level, showing a gap between promotion and practice.
knowledge nuggets
Supporting students’ return to school after concussions
Interviews with Canadian teachers and administrators revealed that while educators want to support students returning to school after concussion, most schools lack clear policies or
Interviews with Canadian teachers and administrators revealed that while educators want to support students returning to school after concussion, most schools lack clear policies or training. Providing step-by-step return-to-school protocols and professional development for staff could ensure students receive the academic accommodations and support they need to recover successfully.
knowledge nuggets
New tools from the amsterdam consensus on youth concussion
The 2023 Amsterdam Consensus Statement introduced new tools to better care for kids with concussions. The Child SCAT6 helps assess symptoms in the first 72
The 2023 Amsterdam Consensus Statement introduced new tools to better care for kids with concussions. The Child SCAT6 helps assess symptoms in the first 72 hours, while the Child SCOAT6 supports follow-up for up to 30 days. With Concussion Awareness Week coming up, these advances show progress in protecting young athletes.
knowledge nuggets
Social impacts of arena construction in Edmonton
When looking at how Edmonton’s downtown arena project affected local residents, researchers found the project didn’t deliver on promises like affordable housing and fair wages.
When looking at how Edmonton’s downtown arena project affected local residents, researchers found the project didn’t deliver on promises like affordable housing and fair wages. At the same time, policing increased and some residents were displaced from the area. This study highlights how future arena projects can better support the needs of local communities.
knowledge nuggets
Teaching body image in physical education classes
A recent review highlights ways to support positive body image among teens in secondary school physical education. One effective approach includes activities like yoga or
A recent review highlights ways to support positive body image among teens in secondary school physical education. One effective approach includes activities like yoga or mindful movement that help students reconnect with their bodies. These activities can encourage self-awareness and body appreciation through movement.
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.
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