New Zealand Olympic Committee

Position Description – Athletes Commission Member

ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND

The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) Athletes’ Commission is an advisory group made up of Summer and Winter Olympians, Commonwealth Games representatives and Paralympians. The purpose of the New Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission is to ensure that the views of New Zealand’s Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes are represented and heard within the NZOC.

The Commission is an important vehicle to ensure the organisation is athlete focussed and connected and engaged with the needs of athletes. It is committed to ensuring the high performance environment is athlete focused, and advocates for empowering athletes with knowledge, and encourages athlete focused decision making that supports their wellbeing and performance. The NZOC Athletes’ Commission serves as both the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and the Commonwealth Games Federation Athletes’ Commission.

The Athletes’ Commission’s objectives are:

• Actively support the work of the organisation on all matters relating to Olympic and Commonwealth Games operations, performance and policy; • Consider questions and issues relating to athletes and provide advice to the NZOC; • Represent the rights and interests of athletes and participate in NZOC consultation and decision-making as required; • Contribute to co-operation, development and advocacy within the Olympic Movement and connect with other NOC Athletes’ Commissions, the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the CGF athlete representative groups; • To help ensure that a suitable and effective range of services exists to support athletes lives during and beyond Games time and competitive sport; and • Supporting athletes to achieve success.

The election of Athletes’ Commission members takes place during, or immediately after, each of the senior Summer Olympic Games/Paralympic Games, Winter Olympic Games/Paralympic Games, and the Commonwealth Games.

Athletes who competed at these Games are asked to vote for their two preferred candidates from a list of potential candidates. One member is also elected by Paralympics New Zealand. Athletes may also be appointed to the Athletes’ Commission by the NZOC Board/NZOC Secretary General in consultation with the Athletes’ Commission Chair.

PERSON SPECIFICATION - Athletes’ Commission Member

To be eligible for election or appointment to the Athletes’ Commission an athlete must:

• Be at least 16 years of age; • Not have been sanctioned for a doping offence in their sporting career; • Either: be a participant in the Summer Olympic Games/Paralympic Games, the Winter Olympic Games/Paralympic Games, or the Commonwealth Games during the year in which the election is held (2016); or have participated in at least one of the previous two Games; • Be able to demonstrate they have many of the following desirable skills, knowledge and experience to assist the Athletes’ Commission fulfil its objectives and activities:

o Clear written and/or verbal communication skills; o Highly developed interpersonal and relationship building skills; o Capable of working without direct supervision both individually and within a team environment;

o Knowledge of and interest in the Olympic movement and NZ high performance sports culture;

o Passionate about the development of the Olympic Values and athlete interests; and

o Mature personality, able to handle confidential information and contrasting opinions. • Be available to attend (either in person or by Skype) a minimum of three meetings per year.

TERMS OF OFFICE

• Each person elected will hold office for four years, commencing the day after their election • An appointed person will hold office for a period of four years from the date of their appointment • A maximum of three consecutive terms • The Chair and Vice Chair will hold office for four years and, if eligible, can serve a maximum of two terms and can stand for the Commission again

Athletes who meet the person specifications listed above will be able to put their name forward for election as part of an “Expression of Interest” process prior to each of the senior Summer Olympic Games/Paralympic Games, Winter Olympic Games/Paralympic Games, and Commonwealth Games.