ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the role that non-traditional sporting structures play in the governance of sport in the respective contexts. One of the unique contextual issues in sport is that, in some cases, sport organisations rely on the collaboration, and, in many instances, compliance of non-traditional sport stakeholders in order to effectively manage and deliver systemic sports. The development of policy network theory was, in part, a response to the overly rational view of policy making being controlled by government, thereby disregarding the influence of the numerous organisations that exist in between organisations and beyond formal rules. The role and ability of Active Partnerships to fulfil their responsibilities in the systemic governance of community sport in England is, at least in part, predicated on the resources and skills of the partnership. State governments in Australia are not formally required to have policies that mirror federal government policy or policies of other states.
