Governance codes in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Code of Good Governance for the voluntary and community sector

There is no specific governance guidance for sports organisations based in Northern Ireland. However, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has produced the Code of Good Governance for the voluntary and community Sector (NI Code), which can be applied to grass-roots sports organisations.

The NI Code was reviewed in 2014 with a revised code launched in 2016 by the Developing Governance Group. The Code is widely accepted in the country as the set of standards for governance in the voluntary and community sector.

The revised NI Code now contains five overarching principles, each deliberately broad and generic so that organisations of any size or type can use it.

The NI Code says that an effective board will provide good governance and leadership by:

• Understanding its role and responsibilities
• Working well both as individuals and as a team
• Ensuring delivery of organisational purpose
• Exercising appropriate control
• Behaving with integrity and being open and accountable

There are a number of complementary practical resources to help your organisation apply and implement the NI Code. These include a ‘governance health check’ and a Sports Governance Guide.

Other sports codes in Northern Ireland

Organisations in Northern Ireland have a choice as to which governance code they adopt. They may choose to adhere to the Code of Good Governance, the Code for Sports Governance or the Governance Code for Sport which is operational in Ireland.