Abstract

This paper critically examines the evolving state of sport governance with an applied examination of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Ireland. The challenge, which this article considers, is how this transformation becomes realised in an organisation, like the GAA, whilst remaining broadly aligned to an amateur and volunteer-led ethos, still representative of its membership at large and continuing to be broadly equitable in its funding and other fiscal policies. At a governance level it raises specific questions about the role of elected boards, their backgrounds, competencies, scope, and purpose as this strategic ‘step change’ becomes embedded and, inevitably, poses many challenging questions. Put simply, if the direction of an organisation changes, requiring new and different attributes on behalf of those governing it, what is the most effective way to ensure this happens within specific cultural constraints and what are the associated challenges if it does not achieve this outcome?

摘要

本文通过对爱尔兰盖尔运动协会 (GAA) 的应用检查，批判性地审视了体育治理的演变状态。本文考虑的挑战是，如何在像 GAA 这样的组织中实现这种转变，同时保持与业余和志愿者主导的精神大体一致，仍然代表其广大成员，并继续在其资金和其他财政政策。At a governance level it raises specific questions about the role of elected boards, their backgrounds, competencies, scope, and purpose as this strategic 'step change' becomes embedded and, inevitably, poses many challenging questions. 简而言之，如果一个组织的方向发生变化，需要代表那些管理它的人使用新的和不同的属性，