The sports figures will represent the nation's Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes on the New Zealand Olympic Committee Board, while having an input on various matters, issues including selection policies, athlete agreements and the appointment of team officials.

Commonwealth Games and World Championship gold medallist Van Dyk, who retired from competitive sport in June, said she is now looking forward to spending time contributing to the wellbeing of the country's athletes and making sure they have everything they need to perform at the top of their game.

"I wanted to be on the Commission because I want the athletes' voices to be heard," she added.

"It is also important to have people representing athletes that have experience competing on the world stage.

"The life of an athlete post competition is a subject close to my heart.

"In New Zealand we are fortunate to have programmes in place for athletes around making a smooth transition out of competition.

"The issue is in making sure that all athletes know what is actually available and accessible to them so they can perform even better.

"Knowing that there is the support out there is key."

Alexis Pritchard is one of the newly named New Zealand Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission members ©Getty Images


The new members will join the likes of triple Olympic sailing medallist Barbara Kendall, Beijing 2008 bronze medal-winning rower Nathan Twaddle, former sprinter and long jumper Chantal Brunner - who is a New Zealand Olympic Committee Board Member - Olympic skier Katie Calder, former discus world champion Beatrice Faumuina, Olympic swimmer Alison Fitch and skeleton Olympian Ben Sandford on the Athletes' Commission.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee also thanked outgoing member Dion Gosling, a hockey silver medallist at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, for his contribution.

"We are delighted with the calibre and commitment of the athletes who are putting their hand up to provide leadership and advocacy to the New Zealand Olympic Committee on matters important to them," New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith said.

"The new members will bring fresh insights and ideas to the commission and increase its effectiveness in priority areas.

"The process of the election means that those sitting around the table have the support athletes and are in touch with the real issues within New Zealand and globally."

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