This week we are in partnership with the International Netball Coach and friend of the FCN – Melissa Hyndman who has suggested this weeks topic.
Over the last 12 months or so, we have seen a huge decline in the credibility of some sports and an increase in corruption claims in governing bodies. From the FIFA Sebb Blater saga, the IAAF doping and corruption scandals to the International Weightlifting Federation’s financial mis-management – the list is never ending!
With constant mention in the media of the latest developments and a host of CEO’s, Chairman and committee members being ‘outed’ , we are also seeing the launch of many ‘clean – up’ campaigns such as the New Fifa Now Campaign in football / soccer.
But what we really want to know is how is all of this affecting coaches – the people that really drive the sports. In the current climate of bad governance, how can Coaches, Athletes, Management & Family ensure that Chairpersons, CEO’s are doing the right thing for the participants of their sports?
This week, we are asking you:
- How can Coaches, Athletes, Management & Family ensure that Chairpersons, CEO’s are doing the right thing for the participants of their sports?
- Does / would corruption at the top of your governing body affect you as a coach?
Answers from twitter, Facebook and the FCN Forum
International Speed Coach – I don’t think it necessarily affects me, however, it is very demoralising to see your sport destroyed as it has been.
Debbie Ferguson – Corruption in governing bodies should not be tolerated at any level.All sports need to b free from such#bias,#corruption#selfish stems from individuals personal greed therefore endorse leaders w/ #integrity#honesty#self-discipline and pray 4 best corruption affects me as a coach whether directly/indirectly.U take away from the sports u take away from athletes#stopcorruption
Manisha Tailor – great qu! IMO it can impact u as a coach when it hinders access 2opportunities & u don’t fit their agenda
Blitz Magazine – Corruption at governing body level affects everyone involved in the sport, from coaches to U9s! I just think that corruption affects all, like a filter system. Will alwsys be that way unless major change happens world wide
Jacky Mueller – I would assume that big scandals, like FIFA, would have an impact on all football coaches as it damaged the image of the sport.
Clare Bear – no corruption affects at a much higher level, you could argue that it could filter down to coaches but I would say not
Nora Dooley – yes! it perpetuates a culture of cheating and prioritizing the win. we use games to celebrate honesty, hard work
Shireen Ahmed – Definitely. Federations are predominantly governed by men. Their decisions are usually in-line with power not inclusive sport.
Sarah Dwyer-Shick – Yes-corruption takes time and $ away from an organizations mission and development
WTCA – tough question – transparency is the only way to go – open books, global CEO search form major sports, less internal hires
Professor Joan Duda – Try to ensure that an ethos of empowerment (+ understand what that really means) permeates the entire sport system
Anita Broad – It would definitely affect me. I’d have no confidence representing a corrupt NGB, but I wouldn’t let down the ones I was coaching
Carmen P – This might be a bit off topic, but in some way related. It’s not corruption per se, but mismanagement and it affects all levels of sport here in Finland and specifically Espoo, where I live. There was article in a local paper last month where a man involved in the management of elite men’s sports in Espoo over the years, lamented the “implosion” of several men’s teams in the city (basketball, soccer and now ice hockey) because of serious financial mismanagement. It’s sad because this all trickles down to the kids and the women who play the same sports in this city. Fortunately on the ringette side, we do not have these issues with corruption. (Could that be because ringette is a sport for girls and women only???) But we who represent the sport have do an awful lot of “yelling” to be noticed by the greater sports community – but that is another story.
Coach Williams – I agree with your statement about ringette….I really honestly believe if these governing bodies had women, or more women at the top, there wouldn’t be any of this corruption. You think of all the sports who have corruption in them, its all rich men who have formed an ‘old boys club’.
In my sports, its embarrassing…the world views my sports as corrupt and it makes me angry because I give up my life to make sure that the sports have athletes representing at the Olympics, or even at grassroots. I might give it all up and join ringette!!
Louise – you know what, sport will never be clean…whether its athletes doping or governing bodies corrupting…sport will never be clean. I think you can go one or two ways with that, either be so despondent and give up on your sport….or work as hard as you can with the players and athletes you have to make the world a better place for them.
