Proposed changes to EA Board composition

Dear EA members, 

Members have requested motions to change EA’s Constitution to be considered at the Special General Meeting (SGM). This letter explains the proposal and the position of the EA Board and undersigned State Chairs. 

The proposed change 

The resolution would remove four skills-based Appointed Director positions and replace them with elected positions, creating eight member-elected Directors while retaining one appointed Athlete Director. The full resolution and amendments are available here. 

Why appointed positions matter 

Member elections are important to EA’s governance. Appointed positions complement that voice by enabling the Board to address gaps in skills, experience and perspectives, including finance, law, risk management and commercial expertise. 

Elected Directors can bring these skills too. Appointments also support succession planning, continuity and responses to changing needs. They can broaden understanding of members across states, territories and disciplines, although neither elections nor appointments alone guarantee balanced representation. 

The ASC’s advice and funding implications 

The Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) letter of 22 October 2026 advises that National Sporting Organisation (NSO) recognition requires a constitution providing for at least 40% board-appointed Directors. It considers the proposal inconsistent with its sports governance principles and standards. If implemented, EA would no longer meet the conditions for NSO recognition. 

NSO recognition provides eligibility for ASC grants, including high performance and Play Well funding, and access to Sporting Schools, Local Sporting Champions and Local Para Champions. Losing recognition would put these benefits at risk. 

The ASC also warns of likely flow-on effects where state recognition, funding and support depend on affiliation with a recognised NSO. Impacts would vary between states. The ASC letter does not specify when recognition might be withdrawn or affected funding, or support might cease. 

EA’s recognition as Australia’s NSO is also a requirement for FEI endorsement as Australia’s national federation. Losing NSO recognition could therefore have significant implications for EA’s FEI status and Australian participation in FEI-sanctioned competition. 

Our position and next steps 

We do not support removing the four Appointed Director positions. The issue is maintaining a balanced Board combining member choice with the skills needed to govern a national sporting organisation. 

We welcome constructive discussions about strengthening EA’s governance while protecting the capability, recognition and funding needed to support our sport. Please read the attached ASC letter and full resolution. EA will confirm further SGM details separately. 

Questions: [email protected] 

Yours sincerely, 
Nicholas Ballard, Chair, Equestrian Australia  
Fiona Phillips, Chair, Equestrian Victoria  
Anne Wilkins, Chair, Equestrian Western Australia 
Amy Eggleton, Chair, Equestrian NSW  
Emily Coggan, Chair, Equestrian Queensland 
Christine Edgoose, Chair, Equestrian Northern Territory