Call for applications for Bowls Australia Board Director positions

by Bowls Australia on June 26, 2024

Bowls Australia (BA) is calling for applications for up to two current casual vacancies of elected Director positions on its Board; through to the end of their three-year terms in either November 2025 or November 2026, and subject to Member ratification at the AGM following the filling of any casual vacancy (being November 2024 in this instance if either or both roles are appointed before then).

BA’s Board of up to nine Directors at any point in time can comprise of up to six elected positions and up to three appointed positions. All elected positions are 3-year terms.

Pertinent to these Director roles, BA’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, adopted and overseen by its Board, can be viewed here: https://www.bowls.com.au/about-ba/key-documents/strategic-plan/

Note: As per the Bowls Australia Constitution, any person who is appointed to an elected Director casual vacancy must be a financial full member of a bowling club within a Member State or Territory Association

Criteria

The ‘Criteria’ for these BA Board positions are as follows:

1. Demonstrated experience and understanding of best practice organisational governance and especially:
   • (i) The leadership role of a Board, and of its Directors (relevant to of a company of ~$10M annual turnover and 35-40 FTE staff)
   • (ii) The financial management and planning of such a business
   • (iii) The capacity to focus on strategic rather than operational issues, and corresponding ability to distinguish between matters for the Board and matters for management
   • (iv) The development of innovative ideas
   • (v) The cooperation and teamwork of a Board of Directors
   • (vi) The understanding of the value of diversity and inclusion to good governance
   • (vii) The work and meeting preparations, and availability and time commitment, of a Board Director.
2. An appreciation for, and understanding of, the role that community through to high performance sport plays in Australia.
3. Australian Institute of Company Directors’ (AICD) qualifications, or similar, will be highly regarded, as will a proven successful background in one or more of the following specific areas:
   • (i) Extensive experience and understanding of Bowls and its development and activity across all levels, including a deep knowledge of the administration and operations of a Bowls club, and an appreciation of the varying circumstances and issues for Bowls, and its clubs, across the differing States/Territories of the nation;  
   • (ii) Accounting, finance and short to long-term business modelling;
   • (iii) Digital/IT;
   • (iv) Commercialisation of assets, sponsorship, broadcast and business development;
   • (v) Human capital / people and culture;
   • (vi) Government relations;
   • (vii) Data analysis, research and consumer insights;
   • (viii) Diversity and inclusion, including all abilities at all levels;
   • (ix) Community sport development and participation programs;
   • (x) Training and education.

Additional Information and Instructions

1. Reflective of the sport’s participation base and endeavours – from community Bowls through to the international stages of Bowls and Para Bowls – Bowls Australia is committed to diversity and inclusion on its Board of Directors and encourages nominations that will engender such.
2. Nominations from metropolitan and regional areas are equally encouraged.
3. Positions on the Board are honorary. There are six (6) Regular Board Meetings per year, with additional Special Board Meetings scheduled as required. Meetings may be scheduled in-person (for which travel costs are covered) or virtually via the use of technology. Additionally, all Board Directors are likely to fill positions on one or more sub-committees of the Board.
4. Applications for the above positions close at midnight on Wednesday 10^th July 2024. To be submitted to the attention of the BA CEO via mkennedy@bowls.com.au
5. Applications should comprise a covering letter / submission (of up to 2 pages maximum), addressing the above ‘Criteria’ 1-3; accompanied by a 1-page CV/resume. Please confirm within that you are a financial full member of a bowling club within a Member State or Territory Association, and provide its details.

For any queries about this process, please contact the Bowls Australia CEO, Matthew Kennedy, direct on mkennedy@bowls.com.au or 0412 416 506