Essential Sports Governance

This introductory course is perfect for governance leads and board members alike. Essential Sports Governance provides a detailed overview of the principles and the practice of sports governance, and how to get to compliance and beyond.

You will develop:

• a practical understanding of key governance frameworks
• awareness of the provisions of the Code for Sports Governance and the principal governance documents used by the different Sports Councils
• tools for effective governance of sports organisations
• confidence to implement the requirements and best practice outlined in the Code
• via your cohort, contacts within the sports governance community

You will receive:

• a delegate pack containing notes and presentation slides
• a certificate of attendance

This course may be of greatest use to those relatively new to a sports governance role.

This training has been adapted to an online format and will be split into three separate two-hour sessions across 1 week. Attendance at all sessions is required to complete this course. 

Online Programme 

Session 1 – Introduction to sports governance and board composition

• What is it?
• Why is it important?
• Code for Sports Governance
• Board composition
• Decision-making powers
• Chair
• Skills on the board
• Independence
• Term limits

Session 2 – Diversity and integrity

• Diversity commitments, targets and reporting
• Duties of directors
• Code of conduct
• Financial integrity
• Conflicts of interest – case study

Session 3 – Governance processes

• Sub-committees
• Board recruitment
• Induction
• Board evaluation
• Legal and regulatory responsibilities
• Financial management
• Risk management – case study

The in-person programme will consist of all 3 of these sessions in a single day of in-person learning.

Course leader

Rowland Jack

Rowland Jack is the founder of I Trust Sport, a sports governance and compliance company dedicated to improving sports governance through collaboration. He supports federations, NGBs, sponsors and other organisations on a range of governance projects. From October 2015 to September 2016 Rowland worked in-house at UK Sport as a governance consultant helping to develop the Code for Sports Governance.

Before taking on his roles in governance consultancy, he worked in sports marketing and communications for more than 10 years, including at six editions of the Olympic Games, summer and winter. Rowland started his career at Sport England, where he worked on the National Lottery funding programmes and managed the chief executive’s office. In 2018 he joined up with two other sports governance specialists to start a second consultancy company, Governance United Ltd.

Upcoming dates