The NZOC Athletes’ Commission work is to ensure that NZ’s elite athletes’ views are heard by the NZOC’s decision makers.
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The New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission is an advisory group made up of Summer and Winter Olympians and Commonwealth Games representatives which acts as the athletes' voice to ensure that your views are represented, heard and considered within the NZOC and in its decision making.

The Athletes' Commission has a representative on the NZOC Board, ensuring a direct line to the decision makers and decision making within the NZOC.

The Work of the Athletes' Commission

What we do

The Athletes' Commission supports the NZOC's mission of enabling athletes and teams compete and excel on the world stage and to maximise the impact of the Olympic and Commonwealth sports movements in New Zealand.  The Athletes' Commission has a leading role in enhancing the mana and voice of the NZOC's Member Federation Athletes in New Zealand and internationally.

The Athletes’ Commission has had input into the following New Zealand Olympic Committee activities:

  • Seat on New Zealand Olympic Committee Board
  • Seat on Integrity Committee
  • Seat on Education Commission
  • Seat on the Olympians' Commission
  • Advising on the Athletes’ Agreement for Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games
  • Review and input into IOC Athletes Rights and Responsibilities Declaration
  • Development of an Athlete Support programme – ensuring athlete support roles at games time help create an athlete-centred, inspirational, high performance environment
  • Appointment of Olympic and Commonwealth Games team medical personnel
  • Strategic development for Athletes’ Commission
  • New Zealand Olympic Committee public Marketing and brand campaign review and input
  • Appointment of athletes to consult on Olympic and Commonwealth Games uniform design
  • Development of leadership pathways and opportunities for athletes 

Read the NZOC Athletes' Commission Terms of Reference
Read the NZOC Athletes' Commission Strategy 2021-2024
Read the NZOC Athletes' Commission Member Position Description
Read the NZOC Athletes' Commission One Pager - What we do

History of the Athletes' Commission

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 athletes’ ideas and needs are presented to the NZOC Executive in their 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.

Athletes' Commission Members

The New Zealand Olympic Committees Athletes' Commission is currently made up of representatives from the Summer Olympic Games, Winter Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games.

New Zealand Athletes’ Commission – Your Representatives
The New Zealand Athletes’ Commission is your voice in the Olympic and Commonwealth Movements.

Through your representatives you have the opportunity to help guide us on a number of important decisions affecting athletes during and outside of Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

 Sarah CR

Sarah Cowley #1134 (Chair)
(Heptathlon & High Jump) 

Olympic Games:

  • London 2012

Commonwealth Games: 

  • Glasgow 2014
  • Melbourne 2006
 

Max Brown #1398 
(Canoe/Kayak - Sprint) 

Olympic Games:

  • Tokyo 2020
Ritchie Patterson2

Richie Patterson #1072 
(Weightlifting)

Olympic Games:

  • Rio 2016
  • London 2012
  • Beijing 2008

Commonwealth Games:

  • Gold Coast 2018
  • Glasgow 2014
  • Delhi 2010
  • Melbourne 2006
   
 Ben

Ben Sandford #991
(Skeleton)

Olympic Games 

  • Sochi 2014
  • Vancouver 2010
  • Torino 2006

Ali3

Alison Shanks #1085
(Cycling - Track) 

Olympic Games:

  • London 2012
  • Beijing 2008

Commonwealth Games:

  • Delhi 2010
  • Melbourne 2006
 

Emma Twigg #1097
(Rowing) 

Olympic Games:

  • Tokyo 2020
  • Rio 2016
  • London 2012
  • Beijing 2008
Sarah W2

Sarah Walker #1101
(BMX) 

Olympic Games:

  • London 2012
  • Beijing 2008

 
 Beau-James Wells

Beau-James Wells #1242
(Freeski) 

Olympic Winter Games:

  • PyeongChang 2018
  • Sochi 2014

Kayla Whitelock #951
(Hockey) 

Olympic Games:

  • Rio 2016
  • London 2012
  • Beijing 2008
  • Athens 2004

Commonwealth Games:

  • Glasgow 2014
  • Delhi 2010
  • Melbourne 2006

 
Athlete Tools

ADECCO Athlete Career Programme – Launched in 2005, the Athlete Career Programme (ACP) helps Olympic and Elite athletes successfully manage the difficult transition from elite sport to a new career through professional development and job placement.

Athlete 365 - Athlete 365 is hosted by the IOC. This website is a great resource for athletes providing education and inspiration for elite athletes. It is a FREE programme.

Like to get in contact, know more or get involved?

If you’d like to get in touch with the NZOC Athletes' Commission, or get more information, please email office@olympic.org.nz.