Safe sport is about creating positive sporting experiences and having a set of actions to keep everyone safe from harm. It encompasses people of all ages with a focus on prevention of abuse and neglect.
Safeguarding
Child protection and safeguarding is about the actions taken in response to a specific concern for tamariki and rangatahi who may be suffering, or are at risk or suffering from harm or abuse. It requires specialised chlidren protection services, the police, and expert local organisations that are trained to provide advice and manage cases if they arise.
- Athletics NZ Safeguarding Policy click here
- Guidelines for Children’s Team Managers click here
- Guidelines for Volunteers working with children click here
- Guidelines for responding to issues of disclosed or suspected abuse click here
- Guidelines for Coaches of children click here
- Poster – Safe Sport Values click here
- Poster – What do I say click here
- Sport NZ Child Protection in Play, Active Recreation and Sport online module click here
Integrity
It is our role to safeguard the authenticity of athletics and to take all possible measures to eliminate corrupt conduct which might place the integrity and reputation of athletics at risk.
We will also continue to promote fair play, in particular, play a leading role in the fight against doping in athletics, either directly or by supporting the Sport Integrity Commission to develop and maintain programmes and education aimed at the eradication of doping from the sport. We include anti-doping education in all of our coach memberships , to all selected New Zealand team athletes as well as regular workshops for our High Performance Programme athletes.
- Athletics NZ Integrity Regulation click here
- Sports Integrity Commission click here
- Sport Integrity Commission e-learning courses, including anti-doping click here
Member Protection
Everyone in sport has the right to be fairly treated, with respect and free from harm. No matter what type of participant you are – athlete, supporter, coach, manager or official – we all play a part in keeping everyone safe from harm and to have fun.
Our Athletics NZ Code of Conduct and Member Protection and Anti-Harrassment regulation set the standard and expectations for behaviour for all of our members. By registering as a member with Athletics NZ, you are agreeing to abide by these standards for how we will act when we participate in athletics.
If you have experienced an issue while participating in athletics, or have noticed a concern, please lodge this through our Raise a Concern form.
- Athletics NZ Code of Conduct click here
- Athletics NZ Member Protection Regulation click here
Athlete Wellbeing and Member Welfare
- Balance is Better – The home of youth sport in New Zealand
Balance is Better is about creating quality experiences for all young people to keep them active and in the game.
For expert articles and educational resources related to youth sport click here
- HPSNZ Healthy Women in Performance Sport
Healthy women in Performance Sport is a HPSNZ intiative designed to support the health, wellbeing and performance of female athletes. For articles and educational resources click here
- Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
Unfortunately, there is a history of RED-S affecting athletes in our sport, so parent, athlete and coach awareness of RED-S is an important area of focus for Athletics NZ. RED-S is caused by a mismatch between energy intake from diet and the energy used in exercise. When there is insufficient energy available, the body is unable to perform all its functions, resulting in a range of health and performance consequences.
For an introductory article on RED-S and links to further material click here
Further Contacts and External Links
- High Performance Athletes Commission Chairperson:
The ANZ-HP Athletes’ Commission is made up of current and recent high performance athletes, provides a mechanism for the views of high performance athletes to be heard, and helps to ensure athlete wellbeing is appropriately considered by Athletics New Zealand. The current Athletes’ Commission members: Quentin Rew (Chair), Eliza McCartney (Deputy Chair), Dame Valerie Adams, Anna Grimaldi, Malcolm Hicks, Lucy Oliver and Julia Ratcliffe.
The Athletes Commission can be contacted by email at athletescommission@athletics.org.nz
- Athletics New Zealand Members Advocate
The Athletics NZ Members’ Advocate provides a voice for all Athletics NZ members. They are available for any member to talk to about a matter they feel has not been fully considered or resolved by Athletics NZ staff and/or is of a confidential or personal nature that would benefit from disclosure to a person independent from the day-to-day operations of Athletics NZ. The Members’ Advocate is currently Craig Purdy and he can be contacted at craig@stuarts.co.nz