31 Oct 2018

Public get their say on sport integrity

10:58 am on 31 October 2018

The public will from today get the opportunity to share their thoughts on integrity within New Zealand sport.

Sport New Zealand's chief executive Peter Miskimmin

Sport New Zealand's chief executive Peter Miskimmin Photo: photosport

Sport NZ has launched an online survey for anyone involved in sport to have their say on issues from sideline behaviour to match-fixing and doping.

The survey will run for six weeks and Sport NZ will then decide if their current measures dealing with the issues are appropriate.

Reviews have been held in recent months, or are currently being held, into football, cycling and hockey, mostly around the culture within the organisations.

Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin said it wasn't just about high performance sport.

"The issue for sport integrity, while a lot of people may think it's high performance, this goes right down to grassroots level.

"So we're really interested in anything of those things that put people off or are a barrier to sports, from sideline behaviour to child protection issues, early specialisation of kids at secondary school all the way to discrimination and up to match-fixing and doping.

"There are already various controls in place at different levels of the sporting sector to address these. This review is about determining whether these measures are sufficiently robust and appropriate, so that any weaknesses can be addressed to ensure our sport remains clean, fair and safe and enjoyable for everyone."

Young Blackcaps fans pose for their parents.

Young Blackcaps fans pose for their parents. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Mr Miskimmin encouraged anyone involved in sport to have their say through the online survey.

"Research indicates that sport creates happier, healthier people, better connected communities, and a stronger New Zealand. We can't afford for there to be integrity issues which discourage New Zealanders from participating in sport and realising the many benefits it offers, says Mr Miskimmin.

"That's why we need as many people as possible to contribute to this review."

The online survey runs until 11 December. Members of the public can complete any or all of six survey modules:

  • Organisational culture, whistleblowing, and the institutional arrangements for sport integrity in New Zealand
  • Member protection
  • Integrity issues in children's sport, including at secondary school
  • Anti-Doping
  • Protecting against corruption
  • Protecting against match-fixing.

Information on how to take part in the survey is here.