PNZ Athletes’ Council

The PNZ Athletes’ Council is a consultative committee established by Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) in 2021 to act as the athletes’ voice within PNZ, providing governance and management advice on matters impacting on Paralympians and Para athletes.

PNZ Athletes' Council members

Adam Hall – Paralympian #158
I am honoured to continue building on the great mahi that has been done to date since the Council’s inception in 2021. I will continue to contribute by using the PNZ Athletes’ Council platform, to advocate for the needs, and rights of all Para athletes, across all of our communities.

As a PNZ Athletes’ Council member, the Council provides a platform to influence policies, and initiatives that affect athletes across all levels of participation, and competition.

I believe joining the Council provides an opportunity to strengthen community among Para athletes, and sports, fostering a supportive environment where athletes can share their challenges, and successes, and provide greater awareness with Winter representation.

As an older senior athlete, this role is a great opportunity to leave a lasting impact on all Para sports, at all levels, in all communities, and the lives of other athletes, ensuring that future generations have better opportunities and recognition. My motivations are a reflection and a commitment to enhancing the experience, and opportunities for current, and future athletes within the Paralympic Movement.

View Paralympian Adam HallProfile
Carl Murphy – Paralympian #189
I am honoured to be appointed to the Paralympics New Zealand Athletes’ Council. Being the only winter Paralympian on the Council I bring an additional set of skills, knowledge and perspective to the team. I am excited to fulfil the role and represent Para athletes and help pave the way to their success in and out of the sporting arenas.

I have competed at two Paralympic Winter Games (2014 & 2018) along with 10 years of international competition. During this period I managed a large part of my programme along with budgets and planning. I currently own and operate my own architectural design business bringing further experience in leadership, organisational and planning skills, project management, controlling budgets and communication.

View Paralympian Carl MurphyProfile
Anna Grimaldi – Paralympian #195
My name is Anna Grimaldi and I have been competing in Para sport for the last 10 years, but before that I didn’t even really know it existed. It has changed my life for the better. I’ve learnt so much about myself. It’s helped show me that having one hand is cool (and always has been), it’s brought me a sense of community and an outlet for my competitiveness. I’ve found a love of sport that it didn’t know as someone growing up with a disability, I would get the opportunity to do.

Paris 2024 was my third Paralympic Games cycle and so far each has been very different, many highs and many lows, lots of different experiences personally and within the system.

I think I am quite good at problem solving, thinking of new ways of doing things, not holding back in my opinions and putting myself out there. I really want our sport and team to be well known and have the opportunity to grow and be seen as exciting. I was a founding member of the inaugural PNZ Athletes’ Council I would love to continue my role in that council for the next 4 years.

I’m keen to use my knowledge and experience to give ideas, listen to the athletes, help athletes navigate tense or unsure scenarios, share athletes stories, boost the Paralympic Movement here in NZ and really highlight us as high performance athletes. I want to continue to run and jump and have these experiences alongside you guys (the athletes) and help it to be an environment and a brand (PNZ) that we all are proud to be part of. By being part of this Council I hope I can help make that happen.

View Paralympian Anna GrimaldiProfile
Danielle Aitchison – Paralympian #211
I wish to give a different voice to Para sport and the Paralympic Movement. With my past experience, I feel that I can bring a different perspective and encourage others to view things differently. I am patient when listening and soaking up information before adding my perspective. I come up with questions to encourage others to think deeper about their ideas.

I grew up knowing that I had a disability but did not realise that so many other people also had disabilities and that there is a whole community and pathway with it. Being a part of the Para sport community for just over 5 years now, I am slowly finding my ground and voice as a Para athlete and wanting to stand up for others and be the person, I wished my younger self had growing up. Knowing that despite disabilities, we can achieve great things or do anything we want. Our disability does not define everything we are. I feel this perspective can help when considering the current system in place within Para sport and question some of the rules and structures that might be hindering Para athletes from performing and getting into Para sport. Being a young athlete, I feel that I still have things to learn but am willing to share my knowledge and am willing to learn and ask questions along the way to understand Para athletes and what they need from Para sport organisations to help support them.

Another reason, I want to be a part of the Council is to help Para athletes get into Para sport and to provide the support that they need. There can be a lack of information and support for Para athletes getting into Para sports which I feel impacts the number of Para athletes in sport. I want to be able to provide the voice for these athletes to ensure that more athletes are getting involved in Para sport and have the support to help them achieve their sporting goals. Beyond this, I want to provide a voice for current athletes, being a part of Para sport now, I understand the current structure and systems in place for athletes. I know where things can be improved. I have relationships with athletes that share their struggles and concerns within Para sport which I think I can help to improve.

View Paralympian Danielle AitchisonProfile
Anna Taylor – Paralympian #225
I am a proud Paralympian that is excited to promote the advancement of the Paralympic Movement in New Zealand. I have ideas and experiences that will serve to benefit the Council.

I intend to be a strong advocate and voice for athletes. Promoting change where needed and providing problem solving skills.

I am a team player and I really look forward to the opportunity to serve as an athlete representative to support PNZ towards continued development of a successful, equitable and thriving environment for all.

View Paralympian Anna TaylorProfile

Purpose of the PNZ Athletes’ Council

The purpose of the Athletes’ Council is to represent New Zealand Paralympians and Para athletes while empowering athlete participation and voice within New Zealand and the Paralympic Movement internationally, including:

Supporting the work of PNZ on all matters relating to Paralympic Games operations, performance, and policy, including providing advice and advancing projects that achieve Council and PNZ outcomes.
Representing Paralympians and Para athletes’ rights and interests and to participate in PNZ consultation and decision-making.
Safeguarding the balance between active Paralympians and Para athletes’ wellbeing and the performance requirements in high performance sport.
Connecting with other athletes’ Councils to discuss issues relating to active Paralympians and Para athletes within the Paralympic Movement.
Advocating for Paralympian and Para athlete voice in PNZ member organisations.

What we do

The PNZ Athletes’ Council will have input into the following PNZ activities:

Advocacy

Advocate for Paralympians and Para athletes.
Champion the right for equal opportunity for all disabled New Zealanders to be involved in sport.
Bring the New Zealand Para athlete perspective to national and international sporting issues.

Operational and strategic input

NZ Paralympic Team campaign development including:
- Advisory on the Para athlete experience in the lead up to and at the Paralympic Games
- Appoint Para athletes to consult on Paralympic Games uniform design
- Advise on the Para Athletes’ Agreement for the Paralympic Games
- Advise on marketing campaigns for the Paralympic Games
Advise on the following:
Para Athletes’ Agreement for PNZ Para Sport High Performance Programmes.
PNZ marketing and brand campaigns.
Welfare initiatives.
Classification initiatives.
Anti-doping education support.
Development of leadership and career pathways/opportunities for Para athletes.
PNZ strategy.
New PNZ programmes such as Paralympian Alumni, Para Sport Champions, Para Sport Collective.
Strategic development of the PNZ Athletes’ Council.

What are the responsibilities of PNZ Athletes’ Council Members?

Record minutes of the Council meeting and decisions, circulate these to the members of the Council, PNZ Chief Executive and PNZ Board, and approve them at the next Council meeting.
Record minutes of the Council meeting and decisions, circulate these to the members of the Council, PNZ Chief Executive and PNZ Board, and approve them at the next Council meeting.
Work within the annual budget to achieve the work plan of the Council.
Make their best effort to participate in all Council meetings either in person or virtually.

The Council meets not less than three times a year with one meeting aligning with the PNZ AGM. Meetings may be in person or virtually.

What about the PNZ Board Athlete Representative Initiative?

The PNZ Athletes’ Council is currently working with PNZ on formalising a dedicated Athlete Representative role on the PNZ Board.

To ensure transparency, we bring this to your attention as one of the preferred options is for a member of the PNZ Athletes’ Council to be appointed to this position.

At this time no final decision has been made regarding how this representative will be appointed to the PNZ Board. This will not be formalised until the PNZ AGM in April 2025.
Depending on the final decision, the current purpose of the PNZ Athletes’ Council may be updated to recognise any change in what we do.