VACANCY
GREAT BRITAIN DISABILITY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LTD (GBDFA)
Position: GBDFA Independent Non-Executive Director
Closing date: Friday 9th December 2022
Interview dates: Week commencing 9th January 2023
This is a voluntary position, however, all reasonable expenses will be met. Generally, no more than three Board meetings per annum are held, with additional opportunities to represent the Association leading to a maximum eight days’ commitment per annum.
The Great Britain Disability Football Association (GBDFA) was established in 2007 to be responsible for the identification, preparation and selection of Blind and Cerebral Palsy athletes and teams to represent Great Britain in international competitions. Its founder members were the associations with responsibility for the development of the sport of disability football at grassroots and / or performance levels within the home nations – The Football Association, British Blind Sport, CP Sport, the English Federation of Disability Sport, Scottish Disability Sport and Disability Sport Wales.
Over subsequent Paralympic cycles the GBDFA has incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee, and is now recognised by the British Paralympic Association as the body which nominates footballers to represent ParalympicsGB in the Paralympic Games. It has established an agreement with The Football Association through which responsibility is delegated to The FA for the development and management of the Great Britain programme. New organisations have also come into membership of the GBDFA, including GB Deaf Football, Special Olympics GB, and the Wheelchair Football Association, as the association’s brief has broadened to embrace all footballers with an impairment, whether physical, sensory or intellectual. This has led to a close working partnership with The FA to support the delivery of the Game Plan for Disability Football, especially through providing a forum in which different disciplines can come together to discuss and develop solutions to common challenges at the international level, and develop a strong common voice. For further information on the GBDFA, please visit our website at www.gbdfa.co.uk.
GBDFA now wishes to augment its Board through the addition of an Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) to support the next phase of its operations over the period which includes the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The INED will contribute to the development of GBDFA’s strategy and business through demonstrating expertise in one or more of the following areas: (i) international relations within the world of sport; (ii) public relations; and/or (iii) corporate affairs. Candidates with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds are actively encouraged to apply.
The appointment is for a fixed term, and will pertain until the GBDFA Board meeting in the spring immediately following the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The successful applicant may, however, seek reappointment for a further four years thereafter.
Key Tasks
- Contributing to the GBDFA Board in the fulfilment of its agreed terms of reference;
- Ensuring that principles of good governance and management are applied to the business of GBDFA;
- Identifying and minimising barriers and risks to the success of Great Britain disability football at the international level;
- Advising and supporting the business of GBDFA and its member organisations through the provision of specialist expertise which arises from experience of working at the international level of sport.
Personal Specification
The successful applicant will have:
- Specialist experience / expertise in at least one of the following areas: (i) international relations within the world of sport; (ii) public relations; and/or (iii) corporate affairs;
- Previous experience of Board / committee membership and / or as a 288a director or trustee in either the commercial, not-for-profit or voluntary sector;
- Previous experience within sport, either as an office-holder, participant, coach, volunteer or administrator;
- An ability to exercise vision and a strategic overview;
- Sound knowledge of and commitment to best practice in corporate governance;
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
For further information contact:
Neil Tunnicliffe, Company Secretary, by email at neil.tunnicliffe@btconnect.com
How to apply:
Please apply in writing by sending a covering letter highlighting your experience and why you wish to serve as a Director of the GBDFA, together with a copy of your curriculum vitae, by email to:
Neil Tunnicliffe, Company Secretary email: neil.tunnicliffe@btconnect.com
Candidates selected for interview will be notified by Friday 16th December 2022
