Cycling Australia applauded for major governance reform

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has welcomed Cycling Australia’s (CA) approval of major reforms which bring it in line with the Commission’s mandatory sports governance principles.

A special general meeting of CA members in Sydney this week agreed to a new constitution for the long term governance of CA resulting in the organisation becoming a company limited by guarantee, the establishment of an independent, skills-based board and the election of the chair by the board.

ASC Chair John Wylie said the sweeping changes are a sign that CA is embracing reform under new President Gerry Ryan and is further evidence that the ASC’s governance reform agenda has made significant progress in just over 12 months.

Wylie stated “cycling is important to Australians and given the outstanding high performance record of our athletes and the enormous grassroots popularity of the sport, it is vital it is run by a strong and effective national sporting organisation exemplifying contemporary board practices.”

CA members also approved the appointment of a new caretaker board for CA effective immediately comprising Ryan as chair, alongside experienced sports administrators Malcolm Speed and Lloyd Freeburn.

The identification of a new long term board for CA will be managed by a highly credentialed and independent nominations committee comprising Peter Bartels AO (Chair), Don Argus AC, former Federal Sport Minister Rod Kemp and Netball Australia Chief Executive Kate Palmer. It and CA will work closely with the ASC as the organisation transitions to its new structure following today’s constitutional changes.

Adding that these changes were significant for cycling, as it embarks on a period of consolidation following recent financial challenges, ASC Chief Executive Simon Hollingsworth stated “the ASC will continue to work closely with CA over the coming months as this important governance reform is implemented. The sport of cycling itself remains very healthy.”

Hollingsworth noted that in the 12 months since the ASC introduced new tougher governance guidelines for its major funded sports, there had already been significant constitutional change by swimming, basketball, rowing and now cycling.

12th November 2013 - ASC APPROVES GERRY RYAN’S APPOINTMENT AS CYCLING AUSTRALIA’S NEW PRESIDENT

3rd February 2013 - GOVERNMENT ENDORSES BLUEPRINT TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN CYCLING