Conflicts of Interest
What is a conflict of interest?
A conflict of interest (COI) arises when a person has a role or position within an organization that
requires them to make decisions in the best interest of the organization, but they may also have a
competing private or personal interest that may affect their judgment The risk is that the person in
such a situation will make a decision, sometimes unwittingly, in their own personal or private
interests, including those of another organization in which they are involved, rather than in the
interests of the primary organization.
The presence of a COI is independent of the occurrence of any impropriety.
The conflict in a COI exists whether or not a particular individual is actually influenced by the
secondary interest referred to above. It exists if the circumstances are reasonably believed (on the
basis of past experience and objective evidence) to create a risk that decisions may be unduly
influenced by secondary interests.
An example of a COI in junior football exists, for instance, where a member of a Regional
Committee (whose primary obligation as a member of the Regional Committee is the Regional
Committee) is also a committee member of a Club, where the Club is the secondary interest, as
described above. A COI undermines the impartiality of the person because of a clash between the
two potentially conflicting interests.
Discussion
COIs are inevitable in many forms of governance and in particular in volunteer organizations, in
particular a Regional Committee, where the volunteers are often drawn from Club ranks and the
potential exists for a COI between a volunteer’s obligations to the Regional Committee and their
Club relationship. However, COIs can also exist at a Club level, for example, where a parent also
coaches a family member or relative.
Those who have, or potentially have, a COI are expected to disclose any potential COI interest and
abstain from participating in decisions where such a conflict exists.
It is important to note that it is not always possible to avoid a COI and in itself, a COI is not
necessarily wrong or unethical. What is important, however, is to appropriately identify/disclose
and effectively manage any actual, perceived or potential COIs.
Identifying a conflict of interest
There is no ‘right’ way to identify every possible COI. However, the following questions may assist
in identifying if a COI has or could arise:
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Do I have personal or private interests that may conflict, or be perceived to conflict,
with my public duty?
Could there be benefits for me, or those whom I am associated with, now or in the future,
that could cast doubt on my independence or objectivity?
How will my involvement in the decision or action be viewed by others? Are there risks
associated for me or my organisation?
Does my involvement in the decision appear fair and reasonable in all the
circumstances?
What are the consequences if I ignore a COI? What if my involvement was questioned
publicly?
Have I made any promises or commitments in relation to the matter? Do I stand to
gain or lose from the proposed action/decision?
Managing a Conflict of Interest
COI can occur in many situations. For example, they can arise in relation to a person’s:
 financial and economic interests
 involvement with family or others close to the person
 Involvement in a private businesses
 secondary obligations, such as to a team or a Club
 affiliations with other organisations.
Depending on the specific situation relating to the identified COI, there are many ways in which it
can be managed appropriately.
Reporting a Conflict of Interest
A person, at the commencement of their involvement in a Club Committee or Regional Committee,
should identity and report any actual, possible or perceived conflict of interest to the Chairperson of
their Club or Regional Committee. If necessary, that report may need to be updated as changes in
circumstance occur. The Administration Manager or appropriate official should keep a Register of
COIs.
Conflict of Interest Identified in a Meeting
A person should always declare a relevant conflict of interest prior to the commencement of any
discussion which may result in relevant decision making that could give rise to a COI.
If a possible COI arises during the discussion, the person should declare the interest immediately
to the Chair of the meeting.
Any COI is to be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
Whilst in business a person with a COI then usually withdraws from all related discussions, it is
recognised that this is not always possible, or indeed desirable, in junior football, but in any event
this is a matter for the discretion of the Chair of the meeting. In all circumstances however, the
person should not participate in any discussion or decision making associated with the identified
COI.
Other examples of COIs
Both RC and Clubs - when discussing an honorarium or like payment to which the person may be
entitled.
RC – when a person with a Club affiliation is involved in discussions relating to e.g.
divisionalisation, conferencing etc involving or affecting that person’s Club
Club – when discussing issues relating to a specific team, and the Committee member has a child
involved in that team, or is the coach or has another official capacity with that team
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