Consultation on the draft Integrity Code is underway. We sat down to chat integrity with some legends and leaders from the sporting world – all of whom happen to be board members here at the Sport Integrity Commission Te Kahu Raunui. 

In this post, we chat to Adine Wilson, former Silver Fern captain who led the team to a Commonwealth gold medal in 2006. 

Over the years I’ve played and coached and managed sport, but the tide has turned. I still play social sport but my connection to it these days is as a parent. I have two teenage boys who love sport and thrive in it.  

But it’s stressful as a parent! When you’re the athlete, you can control your nerves – you're on the court playing your hardest. As a parent, you have no control. You’re just hoping for the best. I feel sorry for my parents! 

I’m fortunate when it comes to integrity challenges. I played in a predominantly female sport and we had a lot of great female role models. I was very fortunate not to face any significant issues. 

As a parent, though, sideline behaviour is something I’m very conscious of. I find myself wary of the culture within different sports and the behaviour that creates. 

It is so exceptionally important that everyone has a say on the draft Integrity Code because everyone has had different experiences.  

Experiences of sport and rec are so diverse. We need to hear about people’s lived experiences to make sure that the Commission, through the Integrity Code, can achieve its goal of creating safer and fairer sporting environments. 

Something I’ve learned as a parent and from my roles on Players Associations in the past is that opportunities like this are about more than just yourself. By taking part in this consultation, you’re working to help improve things for your children and for your sport.  

I hope people feel brave and are compelled to take the time to have their say on the draft Integrity Code. It’s for us all.