Board Skills Template
April 2018
Procedures number <<insert number>> Version <<insert number>>
Drafted by <<insert name>> Approved by CEO on <<insert date>>
Responsible person <<insert name>> Scheduled review date <<insert date>>
PURPOSE OF THIS TEMPLATE
This document has been prepared by the NSW Office of Sport as a guide for New South Wales
State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) to assist with an SSO’s governance. IT IS A TEMPLATE
ONLY. This document should be read in context with the NSW Office of Sport’s Sports
Governance Capability Framework, in particular, section 5.3.
INSTRUCTIONS
The document has been designed specifically for sport and seeks to take into account the
issues which an SSO might need to consider; for example, Sport must deal with the impact of
drugs; Sport is affected by child protection legislation; and Sport operates under a national
system where the national body can make rulings and set policy that will flow through the Sport
and affect those playing at Club level.
All levels of an SSO and all persons within a Sport should work together for the advancement of
the Sport and the SSO through sharing common purposes, structures, policies and procedures.
This will hopefully improve the governance and delivery of a Sport and hopefully make it easier
to address issues of joint concern, to share information and to maximise the sport’s
marketability.
Finally, with the increasing amount of legislation affecting sport, Sports must enact consistent
and complementary policies and strategies that address areas of governance and common risk
that flow through the organisation.
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS TEMPLATE IS FOR YOUR
INFORMATION ONLY. THE AUTHOR AND THE NSW OFFICE OF SPORT ACCEPT NO
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION OR YOUR RELIANCE
UPON IT.
Board Skills Matrix Template
© NSW Office of Sport and Lex Sportiva 2018. All rights reserved.
Page 1 of 3
BOARD SKILLS
1. INTRODUCTION
Seven (7) Directors are elected by the Members and up to two (2) Directors appointed
by the elected Directors above. An independent Director need not be a Member.
2. SKILLS
The desired skills and qualifications for Directors are as follows.
Elected and appointed Directors shall:
(a) comply with the selection criteria below and the duty statement for directors of the
Club/Association. The skills base of the elected Directors shall be included in the
Club/Association Board Skills matrix as certification for use by the Nomination
Committee.
The recommended selection criteria include:
(i) commitment to Club/Association objects, policies, rules and values;
(ii) knowledge of sport in general;
(iii) previous experience as a committee member or director;
(iv) demonstrated ability to understand a wide scope of community issues,
including requirements and objectives of governing and sporting bodies;
(v) management and administration skills, preferably with knowledge of the
Associations Incorporation Act and Not-for-Profit compliance in the areas
of corporate governance and directors’ duties and responsibilities;
(vi) excellent presentation, communications and advocacy skills in order to
articulate the vision and objects of the Club/Association;
(vii) ability to demonstrate major achievement or contributions in previous
roles (either in professional vocational capacity or in sport);
(viii) ability to work and communicate effectively within the Board and with
external parties. A candidate must not at any time act in a manner
prejudicial to, or contrary to the interests or objects of the
Club/Association;
(ix) understanding the strategic planning process and have the ability to
implement;
(x) commitment to the role and have the ability to devote sufficient time and
energy to the position, including a preparedness to engage in professional
development as required by the Club/Association; and
Board Skills Matrix Template
© NSW Office of Sport and Lex Sportiva 2018. All rights reserved.
Page 2 of 3
(b) be Directors of the Club/Association and comply with all relevant rules and
policies Charter; and
(c) for elected Directors, be members of the Club/Association.
Independent Directors may have specific skills in government, commerce, finance,
marketing, law or business generally or such other skills which complement the Board
composition and the Club/Association’s strategic priorities. However, they need not
necessarily have experience in or exposure to sport. An Independent Director does not
need to be a member of the Club/Association.
The chair:
(a) may be an elected or appointed Director;
(d) will be elected by the members of the Board at the first Board meeting following
the expiry or sooner termination of term of office of the person previously elected
Chair; and
(e) will hold office for the balance of his or her term as a Director.
Board Skills Matrix Template
© NSW Office of Sport and Lex Sportiva 2018. All rights reserved.
Page 3 of 3
