Eliza McCartney is encouraged by coach Jeremy McColl in 2017. Photo: Peter Meecham / www.photosport.nz
High Performance Sport New Zealand says it finds the nature of complaints brought against top pole vault coach Jeremy McColl as "unacceptable."
McColl, who coached Eliza McCartney to an Olympic bronze medal in 2016, and has worked with Olivia McTaggart, who is in Europe preparing for the World Championships and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Imogen Ayris has been stood down from his role at Athletics NZ following a reported police complaint.
McColl is reportedly facing a formal police complaint related to an incident 15 years ago and Athletics NZ has launched an investigation on the back of what Stuff is reporting as multiple complaints about McColl's conduct.
High Performance Sport New Zealand's director of high performance Steve Tew said HPSNZ had been in close contact with Athletics NZ following the complaints made against McColl.
"We are clear on our position that we find the nature of the complaints against Jeremy McColl unacceptable.
"The first priority must be providing support to the athletes involved, and we have been working closely with Athletics NZ to ensure their safety and wellbeing, along with that of support staff, and others affected by this situation.
High Performance Sport New Zealand's director of high performance Steve Tew. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
"HPSNZ fully supports the processes that Athletics NZ has put in place to investigate the complaints and we also support the action they have taken, and will continue to take where necessary, to ensure this issue is dealt with appropriately."
An Athletics NZ Statement said:
"It would be inappropriate to comment on any individual employment matter. The ability for participants in our sport to raise complaints, for those complaints to be investigated and actioned, and for all those involved to be supported, is a key element of our process supporting athlete and coach welfare.
Since 2013 Athletics NZ has implemented a range of changes and steps to promote safeguarding in our sport, and to provide mechanisms for issues to be raised, investigated and actioned. This includes new safeguarding policies, the appointment of a Young Persons' Lead & Designated Child Protection Officer, and the development of our Coach Accreditation Programme, Which includes police vetting. One upshot of this, amongst other things, is that when information is received suggesting a coach is not acting appropriately, it can be investigated (sometimes with the assistance of an independent investigator), and suitable action taken. This also includes providing support for any impacted athletes.
For these systems to work, the confidentiality of complaints, particularly from potentially vulnerable athletes, must be respected. Similarly, the processes designed to fully investigate complaints, and to give those involved an opportunity to have their say, in a safe and supported way, must also be respected.
-RNZ