NSW State Sporting Organisation Recognition Program

Welcome to the State Sporting Organisation Recognition Program. This Program is for sporting organisations seeking for the first time, recognition as a State Sporting Organisation (SSOs) and State Sporting Organisation for people with Disability (SSODs) in NSW as the pre-eminent body for the development of their sport in NSW.

The Office of Sport seeks to recognise sports which it can partner with to achieve its strategic objectives which can be found in our 2020-24 Strategic Plan . Broadly, the Office of Sport’s strategic focus areas include:

Participation
Places and spaces
Sector sustainability
Partnerships and investment

These organisations are required to meet set standards of governance, managing risk, planning, organisational health, accountability, reporting and performance.

Recognition eligibility criteria

Organisations will be assessed against a new 8-point eligibility criteria for recognition.

The recognition eligibility criteria reflect the modern sport operating environment. It is modelled on and aligned to the approach undertaken by Sport Australia for recognising National Sporting Organisations and customised to fit the NSW State Sporting Organisation context.

There are many benefits of being recognised. In addition to being part of the formal pathway system for your sport, recognition from the Office of Sport provides:

Recognition as a State Sporting Organisation or State Sporting Organisation for people with Disability by the Office of Sport
Non-financial support from the Office of Sport including resources and assistance for capacity and capability building, engagement, use of the Office of Sport logo and listing on the Office of Sport website
Participation in the annual State Sporting Organisation Health Survey
Prerequisite eligibility to apply as an SSO or SSOD for Office of Sport grant funding programs

Approved sports will be required to complete a Recognition Agreement that is valid for three years. This will detail the rights and obligations of each party, including show cause processes if there is concern about the operation of the SSO and the option for the Office of Sport to act, including to withdraw formal recognition, if warranted.