Mountain bike charity WORD Youth MTB Adventures (WORD) is the latest organisation to formally adopt the Code of Integrity for Sport and Recreation (Integrity Code).
The Integrity Code is a key tool developed to strengthen integrity across the sector. It introduces minimum standards designed to keep participants safe and to help organisations address integrity issues consistently. By adopting the Integrity Code, WORD strengthens its commitment to providing safe and fair environments in which everyone can thrive.
WORD Chief Executive Nic Johnson said the move reflects the organisation’s focus on creating supportive environments where young people can thrive.
“Integrity is fundamental to the work we do with young people. Signing up to the code reinforces our commitment to ensuring everyone connected with WORD feels safe, respected, and supported. WORD is proud to be leading positive change and building a stronger, more connected future for sport, recreation, and our communities.”
WORD joins a growing number of organisations across the motu that have committed to integrity by adopting the Integrity Code. The Commission welcomed WORD alongside several of these organisations at the recent National Sport and Integrity Wānanga, which brought together integrity specialists, legal experts and sport and recreation leaders for two days of kōrero. The theme, “Whatua mai te aho Weaving a culture of integrity”, focused on understanding threats to integrity and ways the sector can work together to safeguard against them. A key way that organisations can support this mahi is through adoption of the Integrity Code.
Rebecca Rolls, Commission Chief Executive, noted that every organisation that adopts the Integrity Code contributes to stronger, safer systems across the entire sport and recreation sector in Aotearoa.
“Every organisation that takes this step helps build a sector where fairness, safety and respect are non‑negotiable. We are pleased to see WORD modelling positive change and working with us to create safer and more respectful environments in which everyone can thrive.”
The Commission continues to encourage national sport and recreation organisations to support a robust integrity future for the sector by adopting the Integrity Code.
Learn more at sportintegrity.nz/integrity-code
