Sport systems, national sport organisations and the governance of sport codes

Abstract

This chapter discusses the evolution of the federal model and describes the mechanisms traditionally in place to elect and appoint individuals charged to govern in these federally based networks. Sport governance exists in many different forms and guises, in different codes and within different nations around the world. Sport governance has been receiving increased attention often due to high-profile scandals such as those involving global sport organisations like Federation Internationale de Football Association and the International Olympic Committee. The volunteer nature of the voluntary boards is reflective of the delegate representative model of board composition noted previously that has been traditionally synonymous with federal governing structures. In countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and some European nations, the federal model dominates the sport governance landscape reflecting the political systems in place within those countries. The concept of a stakeholder and the development of the stakeholder model are attributed to Freeman’s landmark publication Strategic management: A stakeholder approach.