DJ Forbes has been appointed to a key role at the NZOC ©Getty Images

Former All Blacks Sevens captain DJ Forbes has been appointed athlete engagement manager at the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC).

Forbes, a member of the New Zealand team which won rugby sevens gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, will act as a liaison between athletes and the NZOC.

The 37-year-old joins the organisation at a crucial time for athletes after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were postponed until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Obviously, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding qualification dates, and selection processes and criteria," Forbes told Newshub.

The postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has sparked numerous questions for athletes ©Getty Images
The postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has sparked numerous questions for athletes ©Getty Images

"I'm trying to create some clear communications channels for athletes to feel as normal as they can in the situation, and give them clarity and answer questions they've got.

"From my perspective, everyone's in a pretty good place. 

"The sports are doing an awesome job, but if they don't have any support mechanism, then I'm a point of contact they can reach out to.

"I guess the blessing in disguise is it's enabled me - and the NZOC to some degree - to really establish some more genuine and authentic conversation and relationships with athletes and sports organisations across the board."