Athletes Commission

NEW ZEALAND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE ATHLETES’ COMMISSION

The NZOC Athletes’ Commission work to ensure that athletes’ views on things that matter to NZ’s elite athletes are heard by the NZOC’s decision makers. The NZOC Athletes’ Commission is…

An advisory group made up of Summer and Winter Olympians, Commonwealth Games representatives and Paralympians established and maintained by the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) which acts as the athletes’ voice to ensure that your views are represented, heard and taken into account within the NZOC and in its decision making. The NZOC Athletes’ Commission serves as both the Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and the Commonwealth Games Federation Athletes’ Commission.

OUR AIM

Is to make a difference and be a voice for athletes on all decisions impacting on you.

OUR HISTORY

The NZOC Athletes’ Commission was established on 4 July 1986. The guiding principle behind its creation was to provide a bridge between athletes and sports administrators to ensure that your ideas and needs are presented to the NZOC Executive in your own words. This is still true today. Founding Commission members were Chester Burt (Shooting), Ian Ferguson (Canoeing), Richard Lockhart (Swimming), Lorraine Moller (Athletics), Ken Reinsfield (Wrestling), Chris Timms (Yachting) and John Walker (Athletics). Since then, some of NZ’s finest athletes have served as members.

WHAT WE DO

The NZOC Athletes’ Commission is an influential voice in the make-up of the NZOC. We are entitled to representation on the NZOC Board, ensuring a direct line to the decision makers and decision making within the NZOC. The Athletes’ Commission has had input into the following issues in the last 12 months:

-Appointment of athletes to consult on Olympic and Commonwealth Games uniform design

-Assisting in the development of an Athlete Support Development Program for in-Games athlete support roles to help create an athlete-centred, inspirational, high performance environment for athletes to compete in

-Providing a representative to the NZOC’s new Olympic Education Commission

-Advising on the athletes agreement for Summer and Winter Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games

-Contributing to the appointment of Games team medical personnel

-Helping to develop leadership pathways and opportunities for athletes

LIKE TO KNOW MORE OR GET INVOLVED?

If you’d like more information about the NZOC Athletes’ Commission please ask any member of the Athlete Support team. After the Games, e-mail the NZOC office on office@olympic.org.nz.

CURRENT REPRESENTATIVES

The Athletes Commission is currently made up of 10 representatives from recent Summer and Winter Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Paralympics.

Convenor

Chantal Brunner (Athletics) (692)

Olympic Games Atlanta, 1996 (9th); Sydney 2000; Commonwealth Games 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006

Matthew Dallow (Bobsled)

Winter Olympic Games Salt Lake City 2002; Turin 2006

Beatrice Faumuina (Athletics) (706)

Olympic Games Atlanta, 1996; Sydney 2000; Athens 2004; Beijing 2008; Commonwealth Games 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010

Alison Fitch (Swimming) (708)

Olympic Games Atlanta, 1996; Athens 2004; Commonwealth Games 2006

Dion Gosling (Hockey) (904)

Olympic Games Athens 2004; Commonwealth Games 1998, 2002

Tim Johnson

(Paralympics – Wheelchair Rugby) Paralympics Sydney 2000 (Bronze); Athens 2004 (Gold); 2008 Beijing (5th)

Barbara Kendall (Boardsailing) (631) IOC Member; Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 (Gold); Atlanta 1996 (Silver); Sydney 2000 (Bronze); Athens 2004 (5th); Beijing 2008 (6th)

Lesley Rumball (Netball)

Silver Ferns from 1993–2005, 109 test caps; Commonwealth Games 1998, 2002

Ben Sandford (Skeleton) (991)

Winter Olympic Games Turino 2006; Vancouver

Nathan Twaddle (Rowing) (966)

Olympic Games Athens 2004; Beijing 2008 (Bronze)

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

Check out these websites which maybe of interest to athletes

IOC Athletes Commission http://www.olympic.org/athletes-commission

NZ Drug Free Sport website http://www.drugfreesport.org.nz/

High Performance Sport NZ athletes page http://hpsnz.org.nz/athletes

Athlete Life http://hpsnz.org.nz/athletes/athlete-life