With recent investigations placing athlete welfare in the spotlight, Sport New Zealand has announced a timely review of its own, designed to safeguard against similar problems in the future.
Both cycling and football coaches have been accused of bullying and intimidating athletes in recent weeks, Sport NZ hopes an integrity review will help national organisations strike a balance between the pursuit of success and athlete well-being.
"There seems to be this sense that you can't have both," says Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin. "That you either win to the detriment of the athlete or if you’re about the athlete, then you're taking your eye off the performance.
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"I don't buy that in any way, shape or form. I think they can co-exist together."
Miskimmin used rugby's All Blacks and cricketing Blackcaps as examples of teams that have created a winning formula, while helping the development of their athletes.
Last month, national sprint coach Anthony Peden resigned from Cycling New Zealand, amid accusations of inappropriate relationships with athletes and bullying.
This week, Football Ferns coach Andreas Heraf took 'special leave', after complaints from 10 national team players called his conduct into question.
Newshub.
