Sport NZ tells gymnastics community it can trust complaints process

Tuesday, 4 August 2020

Sport NZ is backing steps taken by Gymnastics NZ to handle complaints over abusive coaching practices in the sport, as calls grow louder for an independent investigation.

GNZ last week launched “urgent inquiries” after a Stuff investigation uncovered allegations of a culture that normalised emotional manipulation, fat-shaming and athletes being forced to compete with serious injuries. The national body has established a separate email address to field complaints.

In addition, Sport NZ has extended its Interim Complaints Mechanism (ICM) - an independent hotline managed by a prominent lawyer - to the gymnastics community.

But calls for an independent inquiry have grown in the last few days, with several coaches, parents and athletes contacting Stuff expressing misgivings with the process, claiming prior attempts to raise concerns with GNZ had not been taken seriously.

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Leading Human Rights in sport expert David Rutherford and sports integrity consultant David Howman have also called for GNZ to step away from the inquiry to ensure confidence in the process.

Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin insists its own complaints mechanism remains the most appropriate first step for handling complaints.

Sport NZ extended the ICM, established in May last year in the wake of several high profile investigations into New Zealand’s high performance sporting culture, to the gymnastics community after Stuff detailed multiple accounts of alleged physical and psychological abuse in the sport.

The service was previously unavailable to New Zealand’s elite gymnasts as GNZ does not receive high performance funding - a major shortcoming of the interim service.

Miskimmin assured athletes and parents could have trust in the system.

“[The ICM] enables anyone at any level, past or present, to come forward in a way that is independent and safe. There is also an option to provide information under the condition of anonymity,” Miskimmin said in a statement provided to Stuff.

In response to growing concerns about the independence of the process, Sport NZ outlined the framework for how complaints will be handled. The process will be managed by Wellington lawyer Steph Dyhrberg, who will have sole discretion over whether complaints will be escalated and what actions are taken.

“Their first step will be to triage all complaints, including providing immediate assistance where required, assessment of the seriousness of the complaint and establishing what the complainant needs or is seeking by way of process and outcomes,” Miskimmin said.

“As a next step, the ICM lawyer also has the authorisation to conduct an independent investigation into a complaint.

“If triaging multiple complaints, the independent ICM lawyer will also look to identify themes arising from the nature of these complaints, which would inform any wider action required – for instance, an independent review.”

Minister for Sport and Recreation, Grant Robertson, has also moved to assure the gymnastics community they can have trust in the ICM process. It comes after Robertson on Monday urged those with concerns to raise to speak out.

“The [ICM] is for people to share their stories in a confidential way,” he said.

“I believe this is the appropriate process and its independence is a cornerstone of its establishment. In particular I acknowledge the expertise and experience of Steph Dyhrberg in handling these sensitive and difficult matters.”

Women in Sport Aotearoa (WISPA) chief executive Rachel Froggatt said the allegations that have emerged in recent days were both shocking and distressing.

“It is unacceptable for anyone, of any gender, to face threats to mental and physical wellbeing,” she said.

“We applaud Sport New Zealand for … moving to open up an independent, safe and confidential mechanism for gymnasts to report allegations, separate to the internal inquiry being undertaken by Gymnastics New Zealand.

“We support the view that an independent inquiry is needed, to enable a comprehensive collection of evidence. We must be prepared for other disclosures relevant to other codes so the leadership of Sport New Zealand is vital.'