Towards a Unified Sport

In recent months, the leadership groups from SSA, NSW Snowsports and Snowsports ACT have had discussions to explore the benefits to our sport and its Members of a unified governance structure.

1.    In recent months, the leadership groups from SSA, NSW Snowsports and Snowsports ACT have had discussions to explore the benefits to our sport and its Members of a unified governance structure.  These discussions have been built upon a heightened level of trust and cooperation that exists between these parties and are the natural extension of an Australian Sports Commission (ASC) sponsored governance review some years ago.

2.    A broad outline of a unified governance structure, including its benefits, has been prepared and presented to a range of forums including, State Governments, State Sporting Organisation (SSO) Boards and a series of public forums in Sydney, Canberra and Jindabyne.  These public forums attracted over 200 interested parties and provided for frank and valuable exchanges.

3.    In short, unification would involve the merging of the assets and liabilities of each of NSWS and SACT into SSA, relieving the two SSO’s of direct governance responsibilities but preserving their autonomy, both financial and operational, and their activities.  This has already happened in Victoria with regional activities channeled through State Discipline Committees and the Victorian Interschools Committee.  Further, the Victorian Government now recognises and funds SSA as the SSO.

4.    A draft corporate and committee structure is provided here.

5.    Importantly, the proposals would require the approval of a special majority of Members of each SSO, all of whom are also Members of SSA by virtue of the sport’s existing joint membership structure.

6.    To date, governance unity has been endorsed and supported by the various State Governments and the ASC.  Further, there has been a general theme of support at public forum level, with some sensible qualifications. These include:

• protection of certain assets such as the Nordic Shelter at Perisher, various SSO Foundations and SSO cash reserves;
• protection of SSA’s Foundation provision, most of which has been generated from Victorian activities;
• preservation of regional identity; and
• undertakings regarding grass-roots and participation activities.
   

7.    Proposals will address these issues and involve public undertakings by the Board of SSA.

8.    All three bodies are in strong financial position, are well governed and provide good outcomes for their communities.  Accordingly, the unification initiative is not born out of anything adverse. Rather, it reflects recognition of the potential of a sport with a truly unified vision and direction but a diversity of operations and delivery.  The sport will speak with a single, clear voice, particularly when dealing with its valued stakeholders such as our funding partners and resort hosts.  It will also provide enhanced integration of pathways for our young athletes.

9.    An exciting and more tangible benefit will be the establishment of a “bricks and mortar” presence for NSW and ACT, almost certainly in Jindabyne.

10.    Further, all existing staff will be re-employed within SSA and it is envisaged that a number of key SSA responsibilities will be decentralized to Jindabyne to take advantage of the proximity to on-snow facilities during winter.  This might include SSA Futures operations, Emerging Talent Scholarship Programmes (servicing the sub-elite), Coaching and Officials development together with SSA discipline committee administrative support.

11.    The Board of SSA, together with the Boards of NSWS and SACT look forward to expanding further on the unification proposal as it develops.  While many things influence timing, it is envisaged that a proposal will be put within the current membership cycle.
 

If you have further questions on the unified governance structure, please do not hesitate to contact SSA on 03 9696 2344.