Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Governing bodies must add value to sport

Governing bodies must add value to sport
May 7, 2019
Legal / Sport /

First day presentations at the SportAccord convention on the Gold Coast have heard about how a variety of legal issues affecting sport - including doping, match-fixing and rival leagues - are being addressed.

The full-day LawAccord stream on the first day of the event was presented to a near-capacity audience, with a high-calibre collection of expert speakers receiving a ringing endorsement from SportAccord acting-President Francesco Ricci Bitti.

Ricci Bitti congratulated LawAccord on its expansion and paid tribute to an initiative that “has been a pioneer in the SportAccord organization”, advising “we are in difficult times. On the positive side sport is more relevant in society than in the past, but the negative side is that it’s more complex and that means we need more lawyers.

“Legal expertise is one of the skills that has been handed to all sports organisations to solve a variety of problems on the professional side and in the grassroots. The people working in law are important partners in sport today.”

Malcolm Speed, former Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council and Cricket Australia, opened the day with a Keynote Address on whether great governance is possible.

Based on a career comprising 4,000 meetings, Speed said that great governance should be illustrated by a “thriving organisation where the board adds value to the sport”, stating “we have very critical and demanding constituencies.

“Good governance has made a positive difference, but the time has come for us to move to the next level and achieve great governance.”

Governance was just one of the issues highlighted by Matthieu Reeb, Secretary General of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Reeb provided an update on recent developments, concluding with the Caster Semenya case, which he described as “difficult, not only because it is beyond the law”.

He advised “we have different opinions expressed; legal opinions, scientific opinions. It may not be the end of the story, because there is still the possibility of appeal.”

Most of the cases listed by Reeb involve doping, which was addressed in more detail by Brent Nowicki, Managing Council and Head of the Anti-Doping Division at CAS.

Nowicki explained how the division had evolved from a service at the 2016 Olympics which he admitted was “not very efficient” to an improved system at the 2018 Winter Olympics and now a permanent part of CAS.

He said the goal is to provide a service which is “time-sensitive and cost-sensitive”, and above all independent, stating “(sport’s drug testing regime) must physically be independent and we pride ourselves on being that independent authority so that decisions are made by individuals not appointed by the Ifs (international federations), not paid by the IFs and not associated with the IFs in any respect.”

World Anti-Doping Agency President Sir Craig Reedie, then offered his latest opinion on the most high-profile doping episode of recent years.

He insisted that the situation in Russia has “moved on a long way”, advising “we should stick with that, get it finished and move on.”

Catherine Ordway, Assistant Professor and Course Convenor in Sports Management at the University of Canberra and a Senior Consultant in Sports Law at Snedden Hall & Gallop Lawyers, was joined by Iain Roy, Managing Director of Royglo Pty and Founding Head of Integrity at Cricket Australia, in a one-on-one discussion about match-fixing.

They described the ‘gamblification’ by certain organisations that circumvent regulations by streaming events to overseas territories and enabling betting markets on low-level competitions.

Matthew Mitten, Professor of Law and Executive Director of the National Sports Law Institute at Marquette University Law School, also discussed the issue of rival leagues and competitions.

Professor Mitten said European Union law provides no immunity for IFs that act in ways that could be considered to be anti-competitive for the economic interests of athletes.

However, he added that IFs would be acting lawfully if they were to pursue legitimate objectives, such as countering activity from a rival league.

Images: SportAccord welcomes delegates to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (top) and Australasian Leisure Management is a partner at the event (below).

Related Articles

6th May 2019 - IOC President Thomas Bach encourages Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games bid

23rd April 2019 - Former United Nations Secretary General to open SportAccord Gold Coast Summit

16th April 2019 - Australasian Leisure Management named among SportAccord Gold Coast media partners

7th February 2019 - Auckland’s Aktive awarded Governance Mark for Sport and Recreation

21st January 2019 - SportAccord Gold Coast to explain the role of sport in improving health outcomes

1st October 2018 - FFA members reach governance agreement in advance of general meeting

6th September 2018 - Gold Coast to host 2019 SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit

3rd May 2018 - Industry gains recognition in New Zealand’s Women in Governance Awards

12th July 2016 - Australian Sailing completes major governance changes

27th February 2016 - New FIFA President brings hope of reform in international football governance

27th May 2015 - International Olympic Committee wins in battle with SportAccord

19th September 2014 - Malcolm Speed to head new Board at Cycling Australia

1st May 2014 - Cycling Australia applauded for major governance reform

19th March 2013 - Australian Sports Commission raises governance standards

23rd August 2012 - Cricket Australia approves new governance structure

19th April 2012 - Pushing for better governance in Australian sport

24th June 2009 - NRL to review club Corporate Governance


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

AAC

Welcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…

read more

Access / Marketing / Safety / Ticketing

 
 

Aflex Inflatables

Aflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

TPEC Pool Enclosures

TPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

Active World

Since 2019, Active World's development team has been delivering a comprehensive single solution that caters to the diverse requirements of successfully operated and managed leisure centres. The…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Fitness / Recreation / Technology

 
 

24/7 Software

The world's greatest properties run on 24/7 Software Whether at commercial properties, corporate facilities, sports arenas, or public entertainment venues, we're proud to lead the way in…

read more

Entertainment / Security / Sport / Technology / Venues

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

Myzone

Email for trade enquiries: Enquiriesapac@myzone.org  Customer support desk - Click Myzone support or go to ‘help’ on myzone app to access live support. Myzone® is the leading…

read more

Fitness / Sport / Technology / Wellness

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business