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Appeal against Bowls NZ cannot yet proceed
The Sports Tribunal has determined that it does not yet have jurisdiction to hear an appeal concerning the suspension or termination of a Bowls club membership or disciplinary dispute. The Tribunal found that, under the constitutions of Bowls NZ and the club, an appeal to the Tribunal can only be made from a decision of…
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Chess bans set aside by Sports Tribunal
The Sports Tribunal has allowed an application by the Auckland Chess Centre, Keong Ang and Timothy Ha challenging disciplinary sanctions imposed by the New Zealand Chess Federation. The Tribunal found that NZCF acted outside its powers by relying on its Tournament Regulations to impose bans arising from conduct connected with governance and AGM voting matters,…
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Recreational cricketer suspended for four years for Anti-Doping Rule Violations
The Sports Tribunal has suspended recreational cricketer Tayden Smit for four years after finding that he committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations involving Methandienone (Dianabol), an anabolic agent prohibited at all times under the Sports Anti-Doping Rules. The violations arose after New Zealand Customs intercepted a parcel addressed to Mr Smit containing Methandienone. The Tribunal found that…
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Appeal against Volleyball NZ dismissed
The Sports Tribunal dismissed an appeal by Volley South against procedural decisions of Volleyball NZ to investigate Volley South. The appeal was dismissed because the Tribunal concluded that it did not yet have jurisdiction to hear the appeal regarding the investigation as no final determination had been made. While the Tribunal may have had jurisdiction…
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Non-selection appeal against Croquet NZ allowed
The Sports Tribunal allowed an appeal of a croquet player against the decision of a Selection Committee of Croquet New Zealand to not select her as a member of the 2026 New Zealand MacRobertson Shield team. The Tribunal found there to be a breach of natural justice in the selection process and selected the appellant…
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New appointments to the Sports Tribunal – August 2026
The Sports Tribunal is pleased to welcome five new members to its panel: Erin Baker MBE, Dan Buckingham MNZM, Dame Susan Devoy, Dr Bridget Leonard, and Phil Tataurangi. Collectively, they bring a wealth of experience and expertise from across sport, governance, medicine, and public life. Their appointment strengthens the Tribunal’s ability to provide fair, independent,…
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Appeal against Triathlon NZ dismissed
The Sports Tribunal dismissed the appeal of a triathlete against the decision of the Tri NZ Board which imposed a time penalty on them (and other lead riders) after they inadvertently deviated from the prescribed course due to event organiser error during the Tauranga Half Triathlon. The appeal was dismissed because the Tribunal concluded that…
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Appeal dismissed against non-nomination decision of Boxing NZ
The Sports Tribunal dismissed the appeal by Elenoa Lilo against the decision of Boxing New Zealand not to nominate her to compete at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. The Tribunal concluded that Ms Lilo has not shown that the selectors had no reasonable basis for declining to nominate her for selection, whether at all or…
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Non-selection appeal against Fencing NZ allowed
An appeal against non-selection decision of Fencing NZ has been allowed by the Tribunal. The Tribunal found that there had been a failure by selectors to follow the applicable selection criteria and there was no material on which the decision could reasonably be based. The Tribunal found that the appellant was bound to be selected,…
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Appeal against New Zealand Pony Club Association allowed
An appeal against a disciplinary decision of New Zealand Pony Club Association (NZPCA) has been allowed by the Tribunal. The Tribunal found that there had been a breach of the NZPCA Code of Conduct and Social Media Guidelines but that the penalty imposed had been excessive. The penalty was set aside, with no lesser penalty…
