NSOs' responses to complexity

Synopsis

NSOs are becoming increasingly complex federations to manage as they interact and respond to a widening array of stakeholder expectations in order to maintain relevance and solvency.  Pressures are placed on NSOs to achieve the sometimes contradictory requirements of private, public and non-profit stakeholders, from national, state, and local levels. In many instances, this involves delivering a ‘dual mission’, namely to develop and demonstrate success in both elite and participation sport. These organisations are typically highly dependent on public funding, thus particularly vulnerable to the associated government’s policies, priorities and funding requirements. NSOs very existence can be threatened if their results do not meet funding linked key performance indicators. There is significant evidence about social, commercial and governmental pressures, but little is known about how NSOs are responding to such pressures. Hence, how do NSOs cope with this increasingly complex operating environment?

Loïc is the previous Sports Director of the Portuguese Olympic Committee, which manages the elite sport sector in the country – similar to AIS in Portugal. He has done consulting work with several NSOs, has been an Athlete’s Agent and is also former track and field athlete. At international level, Loïc is a certified programme director and an observer for the International Olympic Committee. In Rio 2016 Olympic Games, he acted as an Olympic Attaché. He has also worked with several European/International Federations, such as UEFA, European Athletics, and FIE. Nowadays, Loïc is a TV sports commentator and the founder of the sports social enterprise, SportImpact, with projects in Africa and Asia funded by the IOC and UNESCO.