Members voted in support of the introduction of the new articles of association at Saturday’s Annual General Meeting, ensuring England Netball is compliant with Sport England’s Code of Governance.
2016 saw many changes to the sporting landscape with major changes to the traditional funding model for NGBs and new requirements for improved standards of governance. Following the publication of new strategies for sport by both DCMS and Sport England
England Netball received £16.9 million, making it the second-highest funded sport, but this still equated to a 34% reduction in funding and along with other NGBs has been obliged to adopt new a formal Governance Action Plan in order to receive funding under the new arrangements.
Earlier this year the membership voted to increase subscription fees in order to reduce the impact of the funding cuts and thay have now also approved changes that will ensure England Netball remains at the forefront of developments in the way NGBs operate their Boards and run their affairs.
The main amendments to the Memorandum and Articles of Association, which were voted through, were as follows:
- Definitions, Article 4
Appointed Directors title amended to Independent Directors
Elected Directors title amended to Nominated Directors
- Board Composition, Articles 61, 62 and 69
3 Nominated Directors and 7 Independent Directors plus the Chief Executive
Minimum number of Directors 7
- Board Recruitment, Articles 64a, 65 and 67
Greater focus on skills and independence with appointments and elections overseen by Nominations Committee
- Board Evaluation, Article 60b
Increase requirements for Board evaluation and performance assessment
- Board Directors Terms, Articles 60a, 63 and 66
Maximum of 8 years made up of 4 x 2 year terms
- President’s Term, Article 59
President’s term increased to a maximum of 5 years with an annual appointment Commenting on these developments Colin Povey, Chairman of England Netball said: ‘Once again the members of England Netball have stepped up to the mark and shown they are determined to ensure we remain ‘fit for purpose’ as a leading NGB in this new era.
The Board has worked hard throughout the year to prepare the ground for this transition and I am delighted that the proposals won unanimous support at the AGM. We can now move forward with certainty and focus on delivering against a very challenging set of targets over the next funding cycle.
