Sports Development Governance Modes

This chapter discusses a vital aspect of managing sports development: the governance of organisations and the individuals tasked with developing their respective sports. It underscores the board's critical role while examining the essential skills and attributes needed in today's dynamic sporting environment. Using a metaphorical framework, the chapter outlines two primary functions-rowing and steering-that boards perform to justify their existence and effectively achieve organisational goals. A four-quadrant grid serves as a diagnostic tool, enabling board members to evaluate their governing responsibilities within the categories of lagging, helping, guiding, or high-performing. This tool facilitates the identification of gaps and the harnessing of strengths to foster success in sports development. The chapter concludes by explaining the three governance modes-fiduciary, strategic, and generative-through the lens of the need for adherence to good governance principles, illustrating how these modes contribute to ensuring that sports development unfolds ethically and sustainably.