New Zealand recommendations

Some were as follows:

1 WELL-BEING/HEALTH AND SAFETY

Provide a formal apology and acknowledgement of harm to those affected by physical, emotional, psychological and other abuse afflicted by or through inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour of others members of the gymnastic community over the past 4 decades; particularly noting the harm suffered by young gymnasts.
Create and implement a restorative process for all abuse survivors.
Seek a continuation of the counselling services presently available to all gymnastic community abuse survivors through Sport NZ.
Incorporate cultural diversity and understanding in the panel and guidelines.
Request clubs to allow parents to observe training where there is an appropriate viewing area.
Have increased regard for the mental health of all involved in the gymnastics community – especially competitive gymnasts. This involves shifting the cultural mindset from unrealistic perfection to “seeking excellence’’.
Consider further review of competition and training attire to address the safety, physical and psychological and holistic wellbeing of gymnasts.

2 GYMNAST

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Create a confidential pathway between current elite athletes and former athletes, to ensure issues and concerns can be shared and then advanced without fear.

3 COACHES

Promote and support the establishment of a national coaches’ association to provide support, advice and professional development.
Look to collaborate with other sports and guidance from Sport NZ as to ways and means of delivering education courses on child development, human behaviour and an understanding of the human stress response for all coaches.
Create a national register of coaches with the content to include coaching qualifications, current coaching level and name of the club. Monitor coach certification annually at all levels.

4 JUDGES

Increase transparency of scoring, particularly at national championships and competitions that impact selection.
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5 COMPETITIVE PATHWAYS

6 EDUCATION

Draw from the 2019 Athlete Well-being Survey and canvas, as separate groups, judges, coaches and parents to best understand the desires and needs of the community for gymnastic-specific future education.

7 GYMNASTICS NEW ZEALAND

8 CLUBS

9 COMPLAINTS

10 FINANCIAL RESOURCES

11 MONITOR..

Appoint an independent monitor to oversee the implementation of these recommendations, and to provide for that person/body to report to the gymnastic community and to the public on such implementation.

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