Stop The Train I Want To get Off

Thank you to all of those who have made contact since the publishing of “Time to Pack Away The Boxes?” last week. It was a surprise to hear from so many involved with various sports, but understandable that those still holding jobs in sport requested that their comments remain confidential.

What became abundantly clear is the perk of free travel to major events is one that is grating with many supporters, players, coaches, volunteers and those employed in sport.

One constant amongst those who made contact was the question as to why these, essentially volunteers, who put their hand up to be on a board or a committee should be granted free trips to Finals series, World Cups or the Olympics? In addition to this many asked why do the various sports have to arrange a Board Meeting to coincide with these events? Clearly this is only to enable them to attend the show piece events at the expense of the sports that they are supposed to be acting in the best interests of.

One of the key components of holding a position on a Board is ensuring that the organisation is being fiscally responsible. Flying a Board to a meeting prior to a major sporting event, – when ticket prices are higher – paying their accommodation and having them stay on for the duration of that event would tend to fly in the face of being fiscally responsible. At least that is the view of all who took the time to contact NTFS.

So what is the answer?

Sadly as we saw with FIFA before their ivory towers came crashing down, amongst some of the high fliers in sport there is a sense of entitlement. For some a salary or the knowledge of a job well done is not enough. For others the motivation to volunteer their time as a Board member or a committee member is the access to those benefits.

So would the removal of those benefits ensure that these positions were only taken up by those who genuinely cared for the future of their given sport? This has been a question asked by many. It is a hard question to answer.

The whole Covid 19 situation has of course shown that technology has advanced to such a stage that meetings can be held electronically. They can also be recorded, so in addition to minutes being taken a visual and audio record can also be kept. So is there now any need for these people to fly in for such meetings? One sports International administrator estimated such a move could save their organisation in excess of USD$100k a year when it came to flights, accommodation, and meals. If that money could be reinvested into grassroots sport then it is a win/win for sport.

While it may be fine to hold electronic meetings, understandably the Annual General Meeting or Congress, depending on the statutes of the sport would clearly benefit from having all members in attendance. Some sports help their members in terms of the cost of flights and accommodation to attend such a meeting. This has caused concern in many sports as the feeling is that this is when voting can be influenced. That aside, in the current economic climate can these sports genuinely not only still afford to do this, but also justify the cost? Do you join a golf club if you cannot afford the green fees? Do you expect the club to pay them for you? In real terms most of the sports offering such subsidies probably cannot afford or justify the cost, but those who are benefitting are unlikely to speak up.

Systems have been created whereby change in many sports is now constitutionally hard to make. Once elected to the top table these individuals are free to enjoy the benefits bestowed upon them and hard to remove before their agreed period is up. Many of those who helped them reach that position are also rewarded with lesser appointments within the sport. Such accusations were levelled at the International Amateur Boxing Association, and many will argue that the proof of those allegations was witnessed in some of the decisions made at the Olympic Games, where worthy winners were robbed of glory.

Unlike the athletes around whom all competition is built, where men and women have to be the best to be given the chance to compete at the highest level and play representative sport. When it comes to the administration the same rules do not apply. Sport continues to shy away from selecting the best people. Why? (The Game They Play in Heaven Relegated to Hell)

Is it therefore any wonder that many find themselves in financial difficulty and heavily reliant from funding? How many sports are truly self-funding?

Maybe this should be the guideline for the future, if your sport is self funding, then it is in a position to repay the work done by its volunteers and elected officers. So under those circumstances the sport can indeed invite all to attend the major sporting events as paid for guests. If your sport is not self-funding and requires funding allocations from various sources, such hospitality should not be available.

How can such changes be implemented?

An exploitive society ruins things for everyone, and in sport that can be catastrophic. The only way forward is to shift the mindset that currently exists from where many ask what are the motives of these people, to what do these people contribute. If they do not contribute then it is a time for change. Only then can you start to hope to achieve the outcomes that you have been aiming for.

FIFA has been scarred by those whose motives were not for the greater good of the game. People who failed to realise that they were custodians of the game, and let the majority of those who trusted them down. Are other sports in a similar position? FIFA because of the appeal of the game has managed to survive, some lesser sports may find they will have to reinvent themselves should the walls coming crashing down around them.

The people want to be heard, the free ride is over. It is time to listen and let the fans see that actions do speak loudest. Which will be the first sport to take such a stand?