Waterford Sports Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee, commonly known as Waterford Sports Partnership (WSP), was incorporated in November 2003. The WSP constitution deals primarily with the functioning of WSP as a legal entity i.e. as a company. WSP is governed by a Board of Directors which is representative of local agencies and community organisations with representation and membership as set out in the WSP Constitution. The Board is collectively responsible for leading and directing WSP, supervising the management of the organisation, and reporting on stewardship and performance.
The Governance Code for Sport
All LSPs, NGBs and other bodies in receipt of Government funding through Sport Ireland are required to adopt the Governance Code for Sport.
Meeting the requirement involves a firm commitment from the Boards of funded bodies to adopt the Code in spirit, in practice and to grow towards better governance practices which will make organisations more effective. By mid December 2021, Waterford Sports Partnership achieved full compliance with the Governance Code for Sport. This was formally declared by the Board of Waterford Sports Partnership at the next Board meeting which was held on 31/1/22.
WSP Public Statement of Compliance Sports Governance Code
The current Board consists of the following members:
| REPRESENTING | BOARD MEMBER |
| Waterford City & County Council (CEO Nominee) |
Ms. Sinéad Breathnach |
| Waterford City & County Council | Cllr. Joe Kelly |
| Waterford City & County Council | Cllr. Pat Nugent |
| Public Participation Network – Disability | Ms. Patricia Holton |
| Public Participation Network – Sports Clubs | Ms. Trisha McCarthy |
| Public Participation Network – Youth | Mr. Eoin Breathnach |
| Public Participation Network – Community | Mr. Terry Hayes (Chairperson) |
| Health Service Executive | Ms. Anne Hennessy |
| Waterford & Wexford ETB | Mr. Michael O’Brien |
| Waterford Leader Partnership | Mr. Austin Flavin |
| Waterford Institute of Technology | Ms. Patricia Sheehan |
| Co-opted Member | Mr. Neil O’Sullivan (Treasurer) |
| Waterford Area Partnership | Mr. Stephen Whelan |
| Co-opted Member | Mr. Mark Fitzgerald (Company Secretary) |
The duties of the WSP Board include:
- Setting the strategic direction and reviewing progress.
- Keeping up to date on strategic issues and changes affecting the LSP.
- Monitoring organisational performance.
- Ensuring that legal, regulatory, and governance obligations are adhered to.
- Monitoring and assessing its performance and that of its committees.
- Oversight of the organisation’s financial governance and financial management, and internal control.
Two committees support the board in its work:
The Finance, Audit & Risk Committee (FARC), supports the Board and the Co-ordinator regarding policy initiation, monitoring of operational plans and Finance/Human Resource support. Committee in early 2021 and a new Terms of Reference was approved by the Board. The Safeguarding Committee considers and makes decisions with respect to child and vulnerable persons safeguarding concerns. This includes allegations of a general nature in regard to children and vulnerable persons in addition to its role in considering vetting applications, disclosures and/or returns referred to the WSP Contact Person by Sport Ireland.
Responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the organisation rests with the Sports Co-ordinator and staff. The Sports Co-ordinator attends meetings of the Board, by invitation of the Board, and is not a Director of the Company. The Company Secretary is a member of the Board.
The Terms of Reference of the WSP Board
The Terms of Reference of the Finance, Audit & Risk Committee
