The Athlete Voice Committee was established in late 2023 as an additional mechanism for the views of high-performance sprint athletes to be heard, and appropriately considered, by Canoe Racing NZ. Currently made up of five past and present New Zealand canoe sprint athletes, the committee aims to ensure high performance sprint athletes are represented and consulted in CRNZ and High Performance Sport NZ planning and decision making.
We sat down with Lucy Matehaere, Olympian and a member of the Athlete Voice Committee (AVC) to discuss what the committee is all about.
Lucy, in your own words, what is the Athlete Voice Committee there to do?
I see that our role is to empower the athlete voice, work to improve the high performance environment and athlete experience and to facilitate the passing of information up and down the chain. We want there to be a two-way flow of communication between athletes and CRNZ to improve how we function as a high performing team and to ensure clarity on both ends.
We want the AVC to have a positive influence on the environment, not only addressing complaints and issues, but also hearing from athletes about ideas and suggestions to improve functionality, culture and experiences for everyone involved.
Why did you agree to be part of this committee?
High performance sport is amazing and we are lucky to be able to do what we do but it can also be really challenging. I want to ensure that being involved in the CRNZ HP programme is a positive experience for everyone currently as well as those to come.
I feel I can play a role in facilitating conversations and actions to make that happen.
As a current athlete in the NZ team, I have my experience and observations to help provide the athlete perspective. I can also communicate directly with the other athletes to get their opinions to implement meaningful and relevant action.
What have you learnt in the process so far?
I have a better understanding and appreciation for the wider high-performance system and the complexity of it. There have been some really good learning experiences with attending the Athlete Leaders Network conferences and hearing about what other sports and athlete groups are doing. There is so much opportunity for growth in the Athlete Voice area and I am excited about what this committee could do in the future.
Why it is important for our HP athletes to have a voice?
For most of us, this is our career and a really significant part of our lives. It’s essential for us to have some autonomy and agency in our daily training environment as this contributes to improved wellbeing. The AVC provides an avenue for us to have a positive impact in this space.
What kind of feedback are you keen to hear?
Any ideas for improving the environment, culture or processes. We will be looking to give more opportunities for feedback and review about processes or campaigns outside of the standard performance reviews.
We are also keen to identify gaps in understanding or clarity, especially for athletes transitioning in or out of the high performance team.
And how do people give this feedback?
Reach out to one of the committee members directly or email the committee email. Feedback can be kept anonymous.
There are five of us committee members so if you are not comfortable talking to one of us for whatever reason, there are other people available.
Thanks Lucy and the AVC members for your commitment to our sport.
The committee members are Caitlin Regal, Hamish Legarth, Kurtis Imrie, Lucy Matehaere and Zac Franich.
Contact a committee member directly or email crnzathletevoice@gmail.com with ideas and feedback.
