Sport Ireland releases a range of resources to support funded organisations adopt the Governance Code for Sport

Sport Ireland today released a range of additional supports and services for funded organisations to assist with their adoption of the Governance Code for Sport (the Code).

The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 tasked Sport Ireland with the overseeing a process whereby all National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) adopt the Code by the end of 2021. As part of this process, Sport Ireland was also tasked to identify and put in place the training and supports needed by the different organisations to assist with the adoption process.  

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD welcomed the release: “Good governance is crucially important for the effective and efficient running of sport. Today’s announcement is a considerable and very welcome step in supporting the NGBs to adopt the Code and ensure that we have fit for purpose sporting bodies with strong leadership, ethics and governance at all levels. I encourage everyone to engage with this process and ensure that by the end of 2021 all LSPs and NGBs have adopted the Code”.

Minister of State for Sport & the Gaeltacht Jack Chambers TD added: “It is widely recognised that when governance fails in an individual organisation, it can damage the reputation of the entire sports system. The development of stronger governance in sport is therefore important at both an organisation and system level. Sport Ireland continues to guide and support funded organisations to develop more effective governance structures and processes within the sector. I would now encourage NGBs, LSPs and organisations to engage fully with the process and adopt the Code, providing assurance to all stakeholders that sport is in safe hands”.

The resources announced today will be followed up with supports to be released in May and in June 2021.  While codes evolve over time, there will be no major changes to the Code before the 2021 deadline.

Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, John Treacy commented: “Boards have a significant responsibility to ensure their organisation is operating within the Code and that they have oversight and accountability for their organisation. The templates and resources provided by Sport Ireland will help organisations to put processes and structures in place to ensure good governance and aid them in their journey to full adoption of the Code. As part of Sport Ireland’s new Governance support programme for the sector, “Gov Enhance”, we are continually looking to improve the range of additional supports and services for funded organisations.  I encourage everyone to engage with the process, together we can reach the target set out in the National Sports Policy and ensure good governance in the sport sector”.

The resources and templates are available on the Sport Ireland website.