PNZ Athletes’ Council
If you would like to get in touch with the PNZ Athletes’ Council, or get more information, please email us at [email protected].
PNZ Athletes' Council members
Carl Murphy #189
About Carl
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.
Anna Taylor #225
About Anna
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.
Anna Grimaldi #195
About Anna
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.
Adam Hall #158
About Adam
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.
Danielle Aitchison #211
About Danielle
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.
Louise Duncan #233
About Louise
I am eager to amplify the voices of our Para athletes and excited to join an incredible team on the PNZ Athletes’ Council. Para sport has revolutionised my life, empowering me to embrace my true self. Giving back to the sport is an honour and a privilege and I’m excited to contribute to its continued growth, fostering a brighter future for the Para athletes of both today and tomorrow.
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.
PNZ Athletes’ Council eligibility criteria
The Council comprises five elected members with the option to appoint two additional members if required. Members are elected by eligible Paralympians and Para athletes and appointed by the Council in consultation with the PNZ Board.
Paralympians and Para athletes that are eligible to be elected members of the PNZ Athletes’ Council include:
- A Paralympian has represented New Zealand in at least one of the previous three (3) Paralympic Games (winter or summer).
- A Para athlete who has represented New Zealand at a World Championships, Commonwealth Games or other international competitions within the past twelve (12) years.
- All Paralympians and Para athletes must be at least 18 years of age, reside in New Zealand, and have not received any sanctions in relation to World anti-doping, or any sports betting or breach of rules/regulations.
