New SMA Constitution and FAQs

Why is SMA updating its Constitution?

The most recent Constitution was written in 2013 and brought together separate state-based bodies into a single national structure “One SMA”.

In the 12 years since then:

• SMA has continued to evolve and change its operations.
• The current Constitution contains legacy items which are no longer relevant.
• Governance standards have improved across the industry and there is a greater emphasis on associations to adopt modern practices.

This new version paves the way for SMA to progress as a modern not-for-profit organisation, aligned with Australian Sports Commission governance principles.

We are in a strong financial position, have a solid track record of delivering member services (conference, education and professional development), and are growing our community education programs with new contracts. Our journals, JSAMS and JSAMS Plus, continue to perform strongly, and we are supported by longstanding sponsors such as ASICS (28+ years).

The new Constitution is about future-proofing SMA’s governance, so we remain strong and relevant for the years ahead.

What are the main changes in a snapshot?

• The Objects have been revised to fit with SMA’s current purpose and activities.
• Members are clearly defined into two classes: Voting or Non-Voting Members.
• The SMA Order of Fellows is formally recognised for the first time.
• Board size is set at 5-9 Directors, with up to 6 elected by members and up to 3 appointed for skills/diversity.
• Directors are limited to 9 consecutive years (12 years if serving as Chair).
• A Nominations Committee is introduced to ensure a balanced and skilled Board.
• Stronger provisions for virtual meetings and electronic voting.
• Clearer expectations for Board conduct, conflicts of interest, and member behaviour.
• The Constitution now expressly provides for the CEO and Company Secretary roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What input have members had in this process?
Members have been directly involved. A Constitution Review Committee was established, made up of a broad spectrum of members (longstanding and new, from all States and Territories). SMA has also run Member Forums to seek input, with another Forum scheduled in the first half of October before the final vote.

2. Why does there seem to be less detail in this version?
Modern governance standards recommend that constitutions focus on essential rules only. This avoids including outdated legacy items and gives the Board flexibility to set up structures like committees when needed. Operational details are better placed in policies, which can be updated more easily without changing the Constitution via Special Meetings.

3. What is the definition of a “Professional” in the new version?
A “Professional” is anyone with a degree or equivalent qualification in sports medicine or sports science – such as physiotherapists, doctors, dietitians, podiatrists, psychologists, exercise physiologists, academics, teachers, and more. This reflects SMA’s multidisciplinary nature and commitment to advancing our field.

4. Which categories are Voting Members and which are Non-Voting Members?

– Voting Members: SMA’s Professional members, Order of Fellows, Sports Doctors, Recent Graduates, Retired.
– Non-Voting Members: groups such as Sports Trainers, Students (including PhD), general Associates. These members receive benefits but do not vote at General Meetings.

5. How are by-laws and regulations handled?
Rather than putting every detail in the Constitution, the Board has the power to make Policies (sometimes called by-laws or regulations). This makes it easier to update day-to-day rules without changing the Constitution itself.

6. Why are the Fellows enshrined in the document?
The Order of Fellows recognises members who have made an outstanding contribution to SMA and sports medicine. By placing this in the Constitution, SMA gives Fellows formal recognition while keeping Fellowship as an honour, not a membership category.

7. What are the powers of the Nominations Committee?
The Nominations Committee will:

– assess nominees for elected Director positions and make recommendations to members;
– recommend candidates for appointed and casual vacancies to the Board.

It must use a skills and diversity matrix to ensure the Board reflects a broad mix of disciplines, gender balance, and experience. The Nominations Committee does not have the power to exclude nominees from the election process.

8. How will other committees be managed?
The Board may create committees when needed. Each will operate under a Terms of Reference approved by the Board, which sets out its role, responsibilities, and any delegated authority.

9. How does the new version get adopted by the members?
The Constitution can only be changed if at least 75% of current financial members at a General Meeting vote in favour of it.

10. How long will this version last?
It’s considered good practice to review constitutions every 4 to 5 years. This may lead to incremental changes being proposed however it will depend on the needs of the organisation at the time. Due to the significant number of changes required in the 2013 version, on this occasion, the recommended approach was to rewrite the full document in accordance with current governance standards.

11. What legal advice did SMA receive as part of this process?
SMA engaged Lander & Rogers, a leading national law firm with expertise in the sports industry and knowledge of SMA. Lander & Rogers has worked closely with the Constitution Review Committee to ensure that the proposed new version adheres closely to all current governance standards.