Global Association of Sports Directors
The Global Association of Sports Directors (GASD) is raising the standard of governance in sport. A global community where directors learn, connect, and lead. The Global Association of Sports Directors (GASD) is the first global body dedicated to strengthening governance and leadership in sport. We provide world-class education, resources, and a professional community for current and future directors.GASD bridges the gap between sport governance and corporate governance standards, empowering directors to lead with transparency, integrity, and impact.
"I believe Good Governance is the foundation to serve athletes, and allow organisations the opportunity to thrive” Hello! I’m Prof. Elisabeth Vathje, an Olympic athlete turned unapologetic governance nerd. After a 13-year career competing at the highest level, I transitioned into leadership roles within international sport and found my true passion: advancing governance and advocating for athletes. As I explored the sporting world through a governance lens, I studied how it compares with corporate governance. One key gap became clear, while corporate boards benefit from structured education and peer communities, sport directors are too often left without the same preparation. This realisation has shaped my journey: I am now stepping into the role of Professor of Sports Governance, building the next generation of leaders while continuing to serve as a director and advocate. My goal is to equip current and future leaders to reshape governance in sport so that organisations can run more effectively, ethically, and in true service of athletes.
