Governance Toolkit

England Netball Governance Toolkit

The toolkit has been designed to assist local committees in achieving Tier 1 of A Code for Sports Governance by meeting the eight mandatory requirements of the code. Every resource in this governance toolkit has been co-produced and tested by volunteers from a wide range of committees across netball to ensure it is practical and simple to use.

Each tool and template can be downloaded separately below.

Volunteer committees previously completed the governance health check to self-assess their governance standards. This identified areas of governance where volunteers needed support to develop and England Netball have created tools to help you as a result. Regularly reviewing your governance means you can easily plan how to make improvements and work towards meeting the governance code ensuring the confidence of your members.

The best organisations will have a fit-for-purpose constitution that establishes a clear purpose and ensures that the membership is inclusive and accessible.

Below are some useful additional templates:

Committee meetings can be a barrier to fresh talent including younger and more diverse volunteers taking on leadership roles. Ensuring that meetings are efficient, friendly, participatory, prepared, focused and finish on time can ensure that you don’t put off potential new volunteers.

Below are some useful additional templates:

Well-run committees seek to ensure diverse viewpoints are considered and that its decision-making groups have the skills and diversity needed to operate effectively. A good succession plan is key to good diversity.

Download the Effective Succession Planning Guides:

A Board Skills Matrix can be used to introduce committee members and their election terms whilst also highlighting the different skills, experience and diversity on the board and areas for improvement for future success. Two key committee roles to ensuring good are a Governance Lead and Resolution Lead.

Organisations should share information on their governance, structure, activities and financial position to enable members and stakeholders to have a good understanding of them. This is also attractive to potential partners and investors. The easiest way to share information to stakeholders is by publishing it on the organisation’s website but other methods such as email circulars and newsletters can also be used.

It is important that any conflicts of interest are identified, assessed, managed effectively and recorded to ensure individual committee members are not able to unduly influence a decision to their benefit (or their family’s benefit) rather than being the best value decision for the organisation.

Download the templates individually (Word):

Organisations should ensure appropriate financial procedures and practices are in place and accounts are independently scrutinised.

Being transparent about your finances will also help to build trust with your membership and demonstrate effective financial management by your committee.

The most effective committees assess and manage organisational risks and liabilities appropriately. This allows the organisation to have continued success.