Today’s webinar featured an outstanding presentation by Grant Cosgriff, Senior Governance Adviser at the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). Grant delivered valuable insights into the governance of sport organisations, with a specific focus on school sport associations where Boards of Directors are typically composed of member school principals.
Key Topics Covered:
- Board Responsibilities: Grant explored the critical role Boards play in steering school sport associations, highlighting the unique dynamics when principals serve as directors.
- ASC Governance Principles & Standards: The session unpacked the ASC’s Sport Governance Principles and Standards, with practical templates available on the ASC website to support implementation.
- Best Practice vs. Lived Experience: Grant examined how governance best practices align—or sometimes clash—with the realities faced by school sport associations, offering thoughtful reflections on bridging that gap.
- Board & Management Roles: Clear distinctions were drawn between the strategic responsibilities of the Board and the operational duties of Management (e.g., Executive Officers or association staff), emphasising the importance of role clarity.
- Induction & Delegation: The webinar also addressed effective induction processes for new Board members and outlined structured delegation frameworks, where Boards formally assign operational and financial responsibilities to Management.
This session provided a rich foundation for school sport associations seeking to strengthen their governance practices and align with national standards. Grant’s expertise and practical approach made for a highly engaging and informative discussion. We thank him for his guidance on this critical aspect of ensuring successful association oversight and management.
For further details, additional support or to get in touch with Grant for further follow up, please reach out to Paddy McKenna. Resources and a recording of this webinar will be available for members under the Resource Hub.