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Governance is how a sports committee or board, goes about it's business. It includes the processes and systems put in place to achieve a specific purpose, as well as practices to ensure safe sport, inclusion and fair play.

Governance directly impacts:

• decision making
• strategic goals and direction
• how a board monitors performance in relation to goals, systems and legal regulations
• ensuring that the board acts in the best interests of it's club members

Why is good governance important?

Having good governance means that your club is well run and supports growth and development. A well run club will be more attractive to new members and funding agencies, potential sponsors and government bodies all look favourably to well managed sport clubs. Good governance also reduces risks and helps identify new opportunities. It is important to note that good governance in sport is never static, it is constantly adapting and improving.

Looking for downloadable templates and info sheets on the topic of governance? Check out the below websites:

• Club Help: is a ‘one stop shop’ for sport and recreation clubs. Driven by Leisure Networks this site includes a range of templates, info sheets and other resources on a number of topics related to sport such as: club management, marketing, volunteers, financial management. All the resources on this page are FREE.

• Sports Community: Sports Community provide training and knowledge to clubs and their volunteers through webinars, workshop, checklists, templates, how to articles and share resources via their digital newsletter. They provide a range of free and paid resources online.

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The following websites and links can assist your club with any queries around governance in sport and recreation.

• Vic Sport: has collated a collection of resources, services and links on the topic of governance, for the use of Victorian sport associations and sport and recreation clubs.
• Sport Australia: have developed the Sport Governance Principles to help sport clubs and organisations achieve good governance and deliver postitive sport experiences.
• Victoria State government website: includes information on the ‘Community Sector Governance Capability Framework’ which describes the broad capabilities required by people on boards or committees of management in the community sector. This site also list a range of other organisatision that can assist with governance at the community level.
• Play by the Rules: Play by the Rules provides information on how to achieve good governance, tips for committee and board members and advice on how to run a successful annual general meeting.
• Sport and Recreation Victoria: Sport and Rec Victoria have collated a list of every state sport association in Victoria. These can be altered and used across a number of different sports.

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Fundraising takes time and it can sometimes be quite challenging to think of new and innovative ways to raise money for your club. However, fundraising plays a vital role and should be considered as part of your clubs governance plan.

The websites listed below provide a range of tips on fundraising ideas and other things to consider when planning a fundraiser for your club.

• Australian Sports Foundation: has been helping sporting clubs and organisations fundraise for over 30 years. Visit their website to access a number of resources and tips on how to fundraise within a sporting club context.
• Consumer Affairs Victoria: includes important information on incorporated associations, fundraisers, patriotic funds and funded services and grants.
• Good Sports: suggests some quick and easy fundraising ideas for sport and recreation clubs.
• Funding Centre: has created the seven pillars of fundraising to support not for profit organisations in finding success through fundraising.

Other ways to raise money for your club;

• Club events
• Sponsorship
• Hire out your facilities
• Grant funding
• Donations

More resources;

• Good Sports - Fundraising toolkit

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Financial management involves the distribution and protection of club finances, financial sustainability and reporting of club finances.

The following links and documents will support your club in achieving responsible financial management.

• Club Help: Provides a range of resources and tip sheets on fundraising, sponsorship and financial management.

Sports Community provides a range of downloadable templates on the topic of financial management as well as providing advice on club memberships and memberships sale strategies.

• Sports Community website - membership information
• Sports Community website - information for club treasurers

The AFL, in conjunction with the Australian Sports Commission, developed the AFL club management program aimed at supporting community football through providing an education program for club administrators. This document can be used and altered to suit sports other than AFL.

• AFL club management program

Cricket Victoria have provided a range of templates you can use to assist in the ongoing management and reporting of your clubs finances

• Cricket Victoria financial templates

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Manningham’s Grant Finder system can help your club keep up to date with what grants are currently available in Victoria and Australia. You’ll receive regular email alerts on grants that are relevant to your club, as well as be able to prioritise grants, keep track of opening and closing dates and track your application stage.

Manningham Council is also committed to developing and fostering partnerships with not for profit groups through our Community Grants Program; which include both large and small grants.

There are also a number of external organisations that offer grants and funding opportunities to community sport and recreation clubs.

• Sport and Recreation Victoria
• Sport Australia
• Australian Sports Foundation
• Victorian State Government
• Federal Government
• Vic Health
• Vic Sport

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The following websites provide advice and tips on how to write a successful grant application.

• Club Help: Identify commonly used grant terminology and criteria, as well as providing information on how to write a successful grant and key things to consider when preparing to apply for a grant.
• Valley Sport: Provide grant writing tips.
• Sports Community: Provide information on how to write and win grant applications.
• Funding Centre: Provides examples and answers to common questions you'll find on grant applications.
• The Grants Hub: Provides application tips and advice on turning ideas into ‘projects’, applying for government grants, budget development, relationship building, grant terminology & more.
• Manningham's Community Training Program: Manningham Council provides free training sessions for not for profit community organisations to build their skills on a range of topics. For more information contact the Community Grants Team.

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Effective marketing of your club can play a key role in increasing membership, improving your club culture, attracting sponsorship and can contribute to building stronger and healthier local communities.

Things to remember when you're creating marketing collateral and communications for your club

• You can’t be what you can’t see. Make sure the images and graphics on your website, publications and social media reflect the whole community.
• Use inclusive language and terminology.
• Ensure your communications are accessible for people with disabilities.
• Open your events with an Acknowledgement of Country.

Sport Australia have provided a communication plan, marketing strategies and other tips for the public to access and begin to implement.

Sport New Zealand have created a great webpage that provides important information and tips on marketing and communications for sports clubs. You can download marketing plans and media release templates straight to your computer.

Play by the Rules provide a number of tips for club coaches, committees and players using social media. There is also information provided on the importance of creating a social media policy.

Good Sports have created a social media tool kit. The tool kit explains the benefits of using social media and provides advice on the best ways to reach your community through social media.

Change our Game have created The Change Our Game Women in Sport and Recreation Communication and Marketing Guidelines in conjunction with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) to assist community sport and recreation organisations looking to develop inclusive communication and marketing practices.

Club Support provides resources on marketing and communications. It also provides a range of templates that are free to access and to download.

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All sport clubs in Victoria that provide services, programs or facilities for children are required to comply with Child Safe Standards, to ensure that the safety of children is promoted, child abuse is prevented, and allegations of child abuse are properly responded to.

The Child Safe Standards are minimum compulsory standards for all organisations that interact with children and young people. The Standards aim to prevent abuse through a focus on cultural change and help to protect children from the risks of abuse.

On 1 July 2021 the Victorian Government announced new Child Safe Standards to more closely align with the National Child Safe Principles. The New Standards come into effect on 1 July 2022.

If you require assistance in understanding and meeting the Child Safe Standards, we recommend getting in touch with your state sport association.

Working with Children Checks

The Working with Children Check is a screening process for assessing or re-assessing people who work with or care for children in Victoria. If you are a volunteer that works with children you are required by law to have a valid working with children check.

• Working with Children Check

Useful links

Information on the child safe standards and the seven child safe principles

• Child Safe Standards

Summary of the New Child Safe Standards

• Commission for Children and Young People

Child Wise Helps sport and recreation clubs become child safe

• Child Wise

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More information to come.

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If your club has a confirmed case of COVID19, you must follow the process below;

Process for clubs to take:

• Call Council's Recreation Liaison Officer.
• Call DHHS and select option 4 on the carousel
• After speaking with DHHS, call Recreation Liaison Officer back and let them know the outcome of the phone call with DHHS.
• DHHS will advise if your club must close or if you can remain open.
• Until DHHS can provide you with an update and advice, you must cease club operations.
• If DHHS can’t provide an update, the club needs to close and follow the process set out at: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/confirmed-case-workplace
• If DHHS can provide an update, the club needs to follow those directions and follow the process set out at: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/confirmed-case-workplace
• Council's Recreation Participation Officer will support your club to follow the directions of DHHS.
• The Recreation Liaison Officer will organise a deep clean of your club if required and advised by DHHS.
• The Recreation Liaison Officer will work with the club to determine when it is okay to resume activity and open the club.

Resources related to COVID19 in general & also in the instance your club has a positive case, can be found under 'Important documents' on the home page of the Resource Hub.