Sports Governance Certification Course

Welcome to the Jockey Club HKCGI Sports Governance Programme - Sports Governance Certification Course. This is an 18-hour professional certification training course in collaboration with the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), offering free governance training for National Sports Associations (NSAs) members and support for their professional development.

Course Overview

The Certification Course in Sports Governance is structured into 7 modules and encompasses 18 hours of online training. It is scheduled to run from 23 March to 31 July 2026, and will include a Final Assessment within this timeframe.

Details

  • Registration Period: 25 February 2026 – 12 May 2026 (registration deadline on 12 May 2026)
  • Course Period: Module 1 is scheduled for release on 23 March 2026. Subsequent modules will be released weekly, with the exception of the Easter holiday period.
  • Final Assessment Period: 22 June 2026 – 12 July 2026
  • Release of Certificate: 1 August 2026

Features and Outcomes

Key Features

Key Features

  • Directors’ Duties Framework: Detailed exploration of legal, ethical, and operational duties
  • Stakeholder-Centric Approach: Emphasising the identification, engagement, and balancing of stakeholder interests
  • Practical Application: Case studies
Expected Outcomes

Expected Outcomes

  • Participants will gain a clear understanding of their duties as directors and learn how to effectively balance these with stakeholder interests
  • NSAs will benefit from leaders equipped to make ethical, transparent, and stakeholder-informed decisions
  • Enhanced governance practices aligned with the SF&OC’s code of conduct and governance review
  • Strengthened relationships between NSAs and their stakeholders, fostering trust and collaboration

Course Structure and Outline

Participants are required to complete a total of 7 sequentially organised modules as part of an 18-hour online course to ensure a thorough understanding of the material.

Course Format

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The Course is structured into modules, each further divided into different sessions, to aid participants in managing their time effectively.

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Participants are required to complete a quiz after watching each module with unlimited attempts and must achieve at least an 80% passing rate to proceed to the next module.

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Upon successful completion of all 7 modules, participants must undertake a final assessment consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions, requiring all questions to be answered and achieving at least an 80% passing rate.

Module Details

Module 1

Foundations of Sports Governance and Directors’ Duties

(approx. 4 hours)

1.1 Overview of Sports Governance in Hong Kong:

  • Sports Governance and General Governance
  • The History and Evolution of Sports Governance in Hong Kong
  • Role of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) and National Sports Associations (NSAs)

1.2 Role and Responsibilities of NSAs:

  • Promoting sports development and excellence
  • Organising competitions and training programmes
  • Representing Hong Kong in international sports events

1.3 Directors’ Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Legal Duties: Duty of Care, Duty of Loyalty, Duty of Obedience, Fiduciary Responsibilities
  • Ethical Duties: Promoting integrity, fairness, and transparency; addressing conflicts of interest
  • Operational Duties: Strategic oversight, risk management, performance monitoring

1.4 Stakeholder Considerations:

  • Identifying stakeholders (athletes, coaches, sponsors, government, media, community)
  • Balancing stakeholder interests in decision-making
  • Engagement strategies for inclusive governance
Module 2

Legal and Regulatory Framework for NSAs

(approx. 2.5 hours)

 2.1 Legal Obligations of NSAs:

  • Compliance with Hong Kong laws and regulations
  • Understanding the SF&OC’s governance review and code of conduct
  • Reporting requirements and accountability mechanisms

2.2 Anti-Doping Regulations:

  • World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards
  • Implementing anti-doping policies and education programs
  • Handling violations and disciplinary actions

2.3 Ethical Standards in Sports Governance:

  • Promoting fair play and sportsmanship
  • Addressing corruption, match-fixing, and unethical practices
  • Case studies on ethical challenges and resolutions
Module 3

Strategic Planning and Leadership in Sports Governance

(approx. 2.5 hours)

3.1 Developing a Strategic Vision:

  • Sustainability: Purpose-driven and setting clear, measurable goals for NSAs
  • Aligning the vision with stakeholder expectations
  • Creating a roadmap for long-term success

3.2 Leadership Styles and Skills:

  • Transformational vs. transactional leadership
  • Adapting leadership styles to different situations
  • Building a culture of trust and collaboration

3.3 Change Management:

  • Managing resistance to change
  • Implementing new policies and initiatives effectively
  • Communicating changes to stakeholders
Module 4

Financial Management and Fundraising for NSAs

(approx. 2.5 hours)

4.1 Budgeting and Financial Planning:

  • Creating and managing budgets for NSAs
  • Allocating resources to priority areas
  • Monitoring financial performance and adjusting plans

4.2 Fundraising Strategies:

  • Identifying potential donors and sponsors
  • Writing effective grant proposals and sponsorship pitches

4.3 Financial Accountability:

  • Ensuring transparency in financial reporting
  • Implementing internal controls and audits
  • Demonstrating accountability to stakeholders
Module 5

Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

(approx. 2.5 hours)

5.1 Identifying Key Stakeholders:

  • Mapping stakeholders based on influence and interest
  • Understanding the needs and expectations of each stakeholder group

5.2 Building Relationships with Stakeholders:

  • Establishing trust through regular communication
  • Involving stakeholders in decision-making processes
  • Addressing concerns and resolving conflicts

5.3 Communication Strategies:

  • Developing clear and consistent messaging
  • Using multiple channels (e.g., social media, newsletters, meetings)
  • Managing crises and maintaining public trust
Module 6

Ethics, Integrity, and Performance Management

(approx. 2 hours)

6.1 Ethics & Integrity in Sports Governance:

  • Ethical decision-making frameworks
  • Promoting integrity through codes of conduct and training
  • Case studies on ethical challenges and best practices

6.2 Performance Management & Evaluation:

  • Setting key performance indicators (KPIs) for NSAs
  • Aligning KPIs with strategic goals and stakeholder expectations
  • Continuous improvement through regular reviews and updates
Module 7

Overview of SF&OC Code of Governance

(approx. 3 hours)

7.1 Overview of Code:

  • Board governance 
  • Integrity management 
  • Selection of Athletes 
  • Management of Coaches and Umpires
  • Administration of Membership

7.2 Other General Administration:

  • Equal Opportunites
  • Prevention of Sexual Harassment
  • Child Safeguarding
  • Handling of Complaints
  • Personal Data Privacy Protection
  • Information Security
  • Handling of Social Media
  • Anti-doping
  • Accounting
  • Procurement
  • Staff Administration and Personnel Expenses

This Course outline has been translated into Chinese. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity between the English version and the Chinese version, the English version shall prevail.

Assessment & Certificate

How to Qualify and Earn Your Certification?
This section outlines the criteria and process required to qualify for and earn a certification upon successful completion of the course.

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Assessment Criteria

  • Module quizzes: Participants must watch every module in its entirety, and complete a multiple-choice quiz at the end of each module, and
  • Final assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions, with at least an 80% passing rate.
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Certification

Participants who meet assessment criteria will receive a Sports Governance Certification upon course completion, with their names listed on the Jockey Club HKCGI Sports Governance Programme webpage.

Who should attend

This course is suitable for the following participants who, through participation in relevant training and projects, can enhance their professional knowledge and skills and contribute more value to the sports sectors:

  • All National Sports Associations (NSAs) and Sports Organizations (SOs) can nominate their representatives
  • Members of The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI) who are committed to assisting and becoming leaders in the field of sports governance (limited seats are available)
Who should attend

Registration and Contact

The Sports Governance Certification Course is now open to NSAs and HKCGI.

NSAs:HKCGI:
Please contact your associations directly
for information on the registration process.
Please contact the HKCGI Sports Governance Section at 2881 6177 or email: sports@hkcgi.org.hk.
(852) 2881 6177