Independent Chair. Derbyshire Schools' Sports Association

Organisation: Derbyshire Schools' Sports Association
Salary: This is a voluntary position. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Location: Derbyshire
Contract type: Volunteer
Closing date: 14 June 2026
Job Description: Introducing the Derbyshire Schools’ Sports Association

The Derbyshire Schools’ Sports Association (DSSA) has a long and proud history of providing opportunities for thousands of young people in Derby and Derbyshire to enjoy and gain benefits from participating in school sport festivals and competitions.
The purpose of DSSA is to:
• Increase the number and range of quality, inclusive opportunities so that more young people of all abilities from primary, secondary and special schools can take part in school sport festivals and competitions
• Support those with talent to progress through established pathways to a performance level as players, performers, leaders, coaches or officials
• Organise Derbyshire schools’ squads and teams which compete successfully at regional and national level.

Competitions are delivered each year in most school sports.
DSSA is an unincorporated voluntary organisation with an annual turnover of around £20k per annum. Within the next 18 months, it is planned to reconsider the most appropriate company structure and to explore new sources of income to expand the offer to young people. The delivery of DSSA activity is managed by a mix of volunteers within the sports associations and professionals within schools and DASN.

The review

DSSA has recently completed an organisational review. The Derbyshire Active Schools Network (DASN) has also played a significant role in the local delivery of school sport in recent years and working together, this review set out to reimagine a new plan and delivery structure for school sport in Derby and Derbyshire.

This review was particularly timely, as last year the Prime Minister announced an intention to make investments into local school sport delivery and the DSSA is now in a strong position to fully align with any new national developments and opportunities.

The creation of a new Executive Group with an Independent Chair was one of the recommendations of the review. It is anticipated that the refreshed DSSA will be up and running by September 2026.

The opportunity

DSSA is now recruiting an Independent Chair and is looking for a suitably experienced individual to lead the organisation though this next phase of its development.

The position is voluntary. The term of appointment is for four years, with a maximum of two terms. Meetings of the Executive Group will be held in person in Derbyshire, three or four times per year.

Personal attributes and experience

We are seeking a candidate with a knowledge of or enthusiasm for school sport, experience of working on boards, proven leadership skills, a good understanding of governance and a commitment to improving the lives of young people through their involvement in school sport in Derby and Derbyshire.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to:

• Drive forward the plans of DSSA to engage more children and young people of all abilities in school sport
• Uphold the highest standards of integrity and diplomacy
• Provide leadership within a voluntary organisation
• Ensure high standards of corporate governance, including the development and implementation of appropriate policies and procedures and ensuring the effective running of the Executive Group and other committees and working groups
• Develop partnerships within the voluntary, public and private sectors to strengthen the capacity and positioning of DSSA
• Provide oversight for financial management to increase income and ensure that DSSA funds are allocated efficiently and effectively
How to apply: To apply, please send a covering letter with your CV and send this to Alice Shipley, Active Schools Manager: AShipley@shirebrookacademy.org If you have any questions about the role, a call can be arranged by contacting Alice by email.