Directors and Club Managers’ Training is Mandatory in Some States

Club Managers Training is Mandatory in NSW.

Article by Warren Tapp

Many Club Managers tell me that their Board don’t know what they don’t know about being a Club Director. This is not surprising when most Boards are made up from their members (often volunteers) who often do not have the skills or experience to be responsible for a multi-million dollar turnover or assets. Of course, some of the larger clubs do have effective Boards with skilled Directors who are often paid for this role.

The key to this is training for club Directors. Most Club Associations in each State or Territory do provide some limited governance training, but it is not compulsory.

In NSW Registered Clubs Act 1976 does make it mandatory. A new club Director must complete some training within 12 months of being elected to the Board and refresher training if still on the Board after 5 years.

The Act also makes it mandatory for training for club managers unless they have an exemption. This is important as the CEO as well as the Board are responsible for the governance of the club.

The problem, in my view, is that the club does not have to report such training to the ILGA in NSW but simply keeps their own records, so the regulator does not know if the legislation is being followed.

There is no such compulsory Director training in all the other States or Territories. Of course, there are many commercial organizations offering Director training, such as the Australian Institute of Company Directors, but the cost can be a barrier.

There is only one RTO in Australia offering an accredited course for Directors, and nothing specifically for Club Directors apart from the courses CMAA Club Managers Association of Australia offer that I know of.

With the liability that a Club Director has in the law, it is surprising there is not more compulsory training for them, paid for by their club.

Some of the clubs that have failed may have survived if their Board were skilled in their role. Good Club Governance is well worth it, and your members deserve it.

That is why Club Governance put together their our online learning platform. This training is the preferred Club Managers training offered through the CMAA, Club Managers Association of Australia. As the Online Training Program by Club Governance is affordable and professional, put together by Geoff Wohlsen and myself Warren Tapp.

Learn more about the Online learning platform to assist you and your Board at https://clubgovernance.com.au/elearning-platform