Uplifting the amateur sport sector – modernizing and strengthening existing governance structures

viaSport is investing in strengthening the capacity and improving the sustainability of Designated Sport Organizations in British Columbia.

In 2024, the Operational Enhancement Initiative (OEI), a multi-year project was launched to modernize and strengthen existing governance structures and operations. viaSport engaged Sport Law to work alongside 75 Designated Sport Organizations.

The scope of the OEI is to align with the Canadian Sport Governance Code and leading practices (governance & operations) and look at the following areas:

• Risk Management & Conflict of Interest              
• Fiduciary responsibilities & financial structure
• Governing documents
• Operational/staff model
• Safe Sport Readiness
• Long-term organizational sustainability
• Culture Awareness & Readiness

Additionally, this sector-wide project will provide sector themes and trends which will help inform decision making.

viaSport’s Operational Enhancement Initiative (OEI) Report:

At viaSport, we want to continue to grow, develop and want to ensure a continual ongoing review occurs of our systems and therefore, we participated in the OEI project and received our report in December 2024 detailing our strengths and areas of improvement. The overall feedback highlights that we are performing well as an organization, but there are some areas that may be strengthened to enhance viaSport’s governance and operational effectiveness. We are pleased to share our report here:

All Designated Sport Organizations will be participating in the Operational Enhancement Initiative which commenced in October 2024 and will end around December 2026. Ten organizations can participate in each intake group, which last approximately 4-5 months.

In the first intake — Oct 2024 – March 2025 — following organizations participated:

• Boxing BC Association
• British Columbia Table Tennis Association
• Canoe Racing BC
• Curl BC
• Cycling British Columbia
• Gymnastics BC
• Judo BC
• Karate B.C.
• Softball BC
• Speed Skating BC

The second intake has now started. It will run from March 2025 to July 2025. Following designated sport organizations are participating in it:

• BC Artistic Swimming
• BC Athletics
• BC Lacrosse Association
• BC Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics Federation
• BC Rugby
• BC Soccer
• BC Wheelchair Sports Association
• British Columbia Adaptive Snowsports
• Muaythai BC
• Triathlon BC

The third intake group is scheduled to commence in June 2025 with the following designated sport organizations are participating in it:

• Badminton BC
• BC Alpine Ski Association
• BC Archery
• BC Diving
• BC Hockey
• BC Snowboard Association
• BC Wrestling Association
• SportAbility
• Squash BC
• Swim BC

Jason Elligott, COO, viaSport says, “Our participation in this work is important, not only to ensure that our governance and operations is being reviewed and improved with alignment to good practice, but also to help ensure consistency and alignment within the sector. As more and more Designated Organizations participate in this work, we are excited to learn and understand where there may be gaps and/or areas across the sector that we can collective work to improve. The project to date has been informative, and will continue to be. We are currently working to implement the recommendations within our report and we highly recommend other organizations do the same.”