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About Us

Creating safer sport through integrity support

At SafeSport, our mission is to empower sport organisations to build and maintain robust integrity standards. We strive to create safe, inclusive, and positive environments where athletes, staff, volunteers, participants, and communities can thrive. By providing  guidance and innovative tools, we support organisations in meeting and exceeding today’s evolving integrity demands.

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Why Choose SafeSport?

Comprehensive and Centralised Support
SafeSport consolidates all aspects of sport integrity management into one seamless system. This approach ensures that no integrity risks are overlooked, helping you maintain high standards with ease.

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Expertise You Can Trust
Our team of integrity professionals brings years of experience and specialist knowledge. We provide tailored advice to fit your organisation’s unique needs, ensuring practical and effective implementation of integrity practices.

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Proactive and Efficient Management
SafeSport helps you stay ahead of evolving integrity standards with user-friendly tools for complaint management, policy updates, and culture monitoring. We foster a culture of continuous improvement in your organisation.

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Enhanced Trust and Credibility
Demonstrating a strong commitment to integrity builds trust among participants, stakeholders, and the broader community. As an independent service, SafeSport adds a level of outside accountability and credibility to your integrity efforts.

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Cost-Effective Solutions
SafeSport offers robust support and a full suite of services at a fraction of the cost of hiring an in-house integrity manager. With monthly check-ins and continuous assistance, we ensure your organisation has the resources it needs to succeed.

Meet The Team

Our Experience

At SafeSport, we bring a wealth of firsthand experience in sport leadership, integrity management, and complex project delivery. Our deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by sport organisations comes from decades of working within the sector and leading significant integrity initiatives, projects and responses.

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Leaders with Experience in Sport Integrity

Our leadership team includes former CEOs of both regional and national sport organisations. We have lived the reality of managing integrity in a dynamic, stakeholder-driven environment, working across various parts of the community to protect and promote safe sport. This experience has shaped our approach to delivering solutions that are practical, effective, and adaptable to the needs of any sport organisation.

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Supported the Response to New Zealand’s Most Significant Sport Integrity Reviews

Gymnastics New Zealand (GNZ) – Shaping the Future of Gymnastics in Aotearoa
We led the project management of the Shaping the Future of Gymnastics in Aotearoa work plan, which was developed in response to the Independent Review of GNZ in 2021.

Key milestones included:

  • Analysing the Independent Review recommendations to develop a robust work plan with 19 key actions.

  • Collaborating with survivors, experts, and the gymnastics community to ensure meaningful and sustainable cultural change.

  • Gaining full Board adoption of the work plan and initiating its implementation in July 2022.

  • Ensuring ongoing engagement with the gymnastics community through regular updates and consultation.

 

Our leadership in this project enabled GNZ to take decisive steps toward improving safety, culture, and integrity across the sport.

 

Cycling New Zealand (CNZ) – Transformation Plan 2024
We provided project management support for the Transformation 2024 Plan (TP2024), a comprehensive response to the 2022 High Performance Sport and Cycling NZ Inquiry.

Key contributions included:

  • Supporting the Transformation Director in developing a strategic plan with 36 projects across 13 focus areas.

  • Supporting the establishment of the Cycling Integrity Steering Committee (CISC) to provide independent oversight and accountability.

  • Recommending structural reforms to prioritise athlete wellbeing, governance improvements, and increased transparency in selection, recruitment, and performance management.

  • Driving consultation efforts with athletes, staff, stakeholders, and community members to ensure alignment and sector-wide support.

 

The TP2024 plan is now being actioned to foster a high-performance culture rooted in openness, inclusivity, and wellbeing.

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Specialist Integrity Support for Sport New Zealand

We delivered targeted integrity support services as part of Sport New Zealand’s integrity investment initiative. This project involved working with partner organisations to enhance their integrity capabilities and maximise the return on Sport NZ’s integrity investment.

 

Project highlights included:

  • Developing an online assessment tool to benchmark integrity practices.

  • Providing five-point action plans for each organisation, tailored to address their specific needs

  • Supporting ongoing policy and governance alignment across the network.

 

Our expertise enabled Sport NZ partners to better assess, implement, and sustain integrity practices aligned with national and international standards.

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Additional Expertise in Sport Integrity

Beyond these flagship projects, we have provided integrity policy assessments, audits, and strategic advice to numerous Local, Regional and National Sport Organisations. This has included:

  • Athlete Voice and Leadership Advocacy: Developing policies, processes, and initiatives that amplify athlete representation and ensure their welfare and rights are protected.

  • Sport Integrity Systems: Auditing and improving organisational policies to meet best-practice standards for safety, transparency, and accountability.

  • Leadership and Governance Development: Supporting Boards and leadership teams to embed integrity frameworks and foster positive organisational cultures.

 

Proven Results for Lasting Change

Through these high-impact projects, SafeSport has become a trusted partner in transforming the integrity landscape of sport in Aotearoa. Our hands-on experience has equipped us to deliver expert guidance, practical tools, and ongoing support that sport organisations can rely on to protect their participants, enhance governance, and build trust within their communities.

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Ready to learn more about how we can help your organisation?

©2023 by SafeSport

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