ENTs CONCERNS REGARDING THE PROPOSAL

EA's objective is to have a simple membership structure, with an affordable base level membership to cater for different types of member (for example Competitor, Junior, Professional, Supporter). Additional fees would then apply depending on uptake of different activities within the different disciplines. These additional fees still will meet the principle of affordability and will not discourage partaking in multiple disciplines. Currently, ENT members benefit from the lowest membership costs, which align with the level of competition available in the NT. Maintaining our membership numbers at a specific threshold is essential to securing critical government funding, which supports the growth and sustainability of equestrian sports in the Territory. While the ENT Board acknowledges the potential benefits of a national membership model, we are concerned that NT members could be priced out of the sport, which would negatively impact participation and accessibility. At this point ENT has no further financial modelling from EA to share with the members.

EA has informed the ENT Board that ENT members are ineligible to vote or nominate for an elected director position on the EA Board. ENT is actively disputing EA's interpretation of their constitution, relying on independent legal advice that challenges this position. Moreover, EA's current stance contradicts previous actions. Under the existing EA constitution, ENT members have successfully lodged a notice of motion, which led to the formation of a special general meeting. ENT members were also able to vote on this notice of motion. In the most recent election, ENT members submitted their votes; however, without any prior notice or consultation, EA discarded those votes. Additionally, EA has further contradicted its position with EA Board Directors and paid contractors publicly advising that all members are eligible to vote.

No. Members residing in the ACT are members of Equestrian New South Wales, while members residing in the NT are members of Equestrian Northern Territory, not Equestrian Queensland. In terms of EA, the ACT is not considered a standalone legal entity. Equestrian Northern Territory, however, is its own legal entity. When competing in national competitions, ENT members represent the NT, whereas members residing in the ACT represent NSW, not the ACT.

EAs principle is that the base level of fee will cover the ‘overheads’ or shared services and insurance, and then the balance will go to the disciplines to operate each sport. ENT has a number of membership categories that don't cover the current EA Fees & Levies. This has been done to either attract or maintain members to the organisation, or support members at a particular level i.e. volunteers and officials. Maintaining our membership numbers at a specific threshold is essential to securing critical government funding, which supports the growth and sustainability of equestrian sports in the Territory. At this point ENT has not further financial modelling from EA to share with the members.

EA believes at present we have different structures in each state all delivering different services and that every service that is duplicated is money not getting to grass roots. ENTs recent experience with EA in trialling (approx. 8 month period) shared services to provide member support was not entirely successful. For ENT to back future changes, significantly more planning and resourcing by EA will be necessary. At present ENT has no further information to consider in relation to how shared services will work, and the cost build up in the administration fee. ENT is also concerned that EA's interpretation of 'shared services' in reality it is a 'fee for service'.

In late 2023, ENT was provided with a copy of the EA National Structure Discussion Paper. In early 2024, two EA Board Directors and the EA CEO met with the ENT Board to discuss the paper online. Despite ENT's repeated efforts to raise questions and concerns during what was a relatively brief meeting, the consistent response from EA was, "Don't worry, you will have more money than you have now." Naturally, ENT questioned how this could be possible. To date, however, no additional financial modelling has been provided by EA to support these statements, leaving ENT with unanswered concerns regarding the financial viability of the proposed structure. Outside of this meeting there has been no further consultation with the ENT Board nor its discipline subcommittees.

EA has publicly claimed that advice from federal, state and territory governments is that the proposed restructure will not place state funding at risk. However, to our knowledge, there has been no consultation with the Northern Territory Minister for People, Sport and Culture, nor the Department of Territory Families, Housing, or Communities, from whom ENT receives its annual funding.

EA does not provide financial contributions to ENT as a branch, nor to ENTs organising committees for key events, activities, official education, or coaching programs. In recent years, however, High Performance has offered some support for the running of clinics in the Top End, but this has been the extent of direct assistance provided.