As we celebrate Youth Week, the Gymnastics NZ Athletes’ Council highlights the importance of creating opportunities for young people and emerging leaders to contribute their ideas, experiences, and perspectives within the sport.

Representing participants across all gymnastics sports, the Council provides a direct channel for athlete voice and helps ensure athlete perspectives are part of key conversations and decision making across our sports.

Over the last 12 months, athlete feedback has continued to play an important role across a range of areas. Feedback helped inform the updated competition attire guidelines introduced in 2024, while more than 300 submissions were received on the athlete feedback wall at the 2025 XP Gymnastics Nationals, highlighting the willingness of athletes to share ideas and contribute to the wider gymnastics community.

The Council has also continued creating opportunities for connection and engagement through initiatives including athlete forums and time-out zones at nationals, and the launch of a dedicated Athletes’ Council Instagram profile.

Youth Week is a reminder of the value of creating spaces where young people can contribute, feel heard, and play an active role within their communities and sport.