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It was instant attraction...
They say all the best relationships start with instant attraction. Well, that’s how it was with SRMG, but little did we know then how it would turn out...
First there was a lawyer working in a “top 6” law firm in New Zealand. He was a Pom (not to be held against him) who had a passion for sport and a Post Graduate Certificate in Sports Law. Touting for a bit of work in the sports law market in New Zealand he wrote an article on sports law which was published in the New Zealand Law Journal.
Enter next the insurance broker
He had 40 years experience in the insurance industry and ran a very successful insurance brokerage company in Auckland. He was the New Zealand agent for Sportscover, an Australian company providing insurance specifically for sports people and sports bodies. He read the article in the New Zealand Law Journal and was refreshed to see someone else addressing the issues he was passionate about. Next followed lunch.
Then there was the risk management expert. With 23 years experience in risk management issues in the USA and New Zealand, he was doing the speaking circuit and chose to do a presentation at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Conference. In the audience was the lawyer who was trying to get up to speed on the more practical elements of risk management.
Three is not a crowd
At SRMG, three is definitely not a crowd. In fact it is an asset. The lawyer left his law firm to set up Sportscounsel, a company specialising in sports law advice and sponsorship. His name was Michael Smyth. He introduced the insurance broker, John Dallimore to the risk management expert, Geoff Wood. The three of us compliment each others specialities and together we make a very dynamic and specialist force. Between us we can offer a service unparalleled by any lawyer, risk management expert or insurance broker operating independently.
Then there was the R v Andersen case
Astrid Andersen was a sports events organiser and in particular was the organiser of the Le Race cycling event run in New Zealand’s south island. In 2001, a competitor in her event died when she had a head-on collision with a vehicle. The competitor, Vanessa Caldwell, mistakenly believed the road upon which she was cycling was closed to oncoming traffic. Her belief stemmed from a set of pre-race instructions sent out by Astrid Andersen. Andersen was prosecuted for criminal nuisance. She defended the proceedings but was convicted, ending up with a fine of NZ$10,000 and a legal bill of NZ$65,000.
Following the jury’s decision there was uproar in New Zealand as people called the decision the death knell of amateur sport. Panic ensued as New Zealand sports bodies searched for a risk management solution to prevent a recurrence.
Then in September 2004 Astrid Andersen was successful in her appeal of the jury's verdict. However, by then the New Zealand Standards Authority had brought out a manual for risk management planning in sport and recreation which needed implementing. So SRMG continues to educate people about keeping sport safe for all to enjoy.
We are also sporty
As well as being experts in legal, risk management and insurance we are all also passionate about our sport. Michael used to be a competitive rower in the UK and currently is a coach at Auckland Rowing Club looking after the women’s group. As well as running Sportsrisk, Geoff is a teacher at Rosmini College in Auckland. There he teaches sports science, athletics and basketball (something to do with his height apparently!). John’s passion is triathlon. He has over 40 years experience at club level and is also a technical officer for Triathlon New Zealand which keeps him involved at a competitive level.
To find out more about who we are, what we do and our individual business, click on the appropriate link at the top of this page.
The three of us hope you enjoy surfing this site and you find the information you are looking for. If you can’t then email us.
Kind Regards,
Michael, Geoff and John
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Gold Medal Club Registration |
The Gold Medal
Club is a service provided by Sportscounsel.com
Registration is FREE and you will also receive a FREE e-book entitled
"Coaching is a Dangerous Sport".
GMC Members have access to members only articles
on the Sportscounsel site and can download the Red Card! newsletter
Please Note: When you click on the links above, you will leave
the Sports Risk Management site and be directed to the GMC section
of the Sportscounsel.com website. |
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Contact Sports Risk
Management
PO Box 91053 AMSC
Auckland 1030
New Zealand
P: +64 9 358 2725
F: +64 9 358 2715
M: +64 21 320 171
E: info@sportsriskmanagement.com
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