‘Problem arising in elite sport’

A review of the New Zealand’s high performance sport funding model says it focuses on performance results and not the welfare considerations of athletes.

Lawyer Steve Cottrell has produced a 120-page report after investigating the culture of high performance sport and the rights of elite athletes on on outcomes not we as a risk to athlete rights and welfare.

Cottrell spoke to 25 elite athletes from 13 sports and found big changes were needed in elite sport culture.

‘‘It is also not acceptable in a small country like New Zealand that the system waits until there is a chorus of complaints of bad behaviour or sufficiently bad results before interventions are made,’’ he said.

Since his report was commissioned by Sports New Zealand earlier this year, high performance sports such as cycling and women’s hockey have conducted reviews after accusations of bullying in some cases and athletes’ rights being compromised.

Cottrell said the current funding model had problems.

‘‘There is a strong perception that the current High Performance Sport New Zealand [HPSNZ] funding model overwhelmingly prioritises short-term performance goals, and that is the key factor determining the level of funding for each NSO (national sporting organisation) and elite athlete,’’ said Cottrell. ‘‘In simple terms, the current model focuses on performance outcomes, not welfare considerations.’’

There were elements of a ‘‘total focus on performance outcomes’’ which was putting unnecessary pressure on elite athletes, he said.

Cottrell said the privilege of ‘‘wearing the fern’’ could not be a blanket justification for placing unreasonable or excessive demands on an elite athlete as a requirement of national representation.

‘‘Whether Sporting Organisations like it or not, there is growing evidence of a problem arising in elite sport in New Zealand because of a lack of genuine focus on athlete rights and welfare. There is not yet a crisis but the time to act is now and the prerequisite to acting is an open mind to the benefits of an alternative approach,’’ he said.

Among Cottrell’s recommendations was a review of the High Performance Sport New Zealand funding model to find the optimal balance between short-term performance goals and long-term, sustainable development.

Sport NZ and HPSNZ should determine whether their vision and purpose were too focused on performance outcomes and whether the holistic needs of the athlete are given enough recognition and importance.

Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin said Cottrell’s findings were consistent with what his organisation had learned through the various other reviews conducted by sporting bodies since the report was commissioned.