Corrin named Junior Black Fins co-captain

SHARING DUTIES: Olivia Corrin has been named as co-captain of the Junior Black Fins. Picture supplied

OLIVIA Corrin is having a great year in the water.

The Gisborne surf lifesaver, who competes for the Midway club, has been named co-captain of the New Zealand youth team — the Junior Black Fins — for the International Surf Rescue Challenge this year.

Her co-captain will be Zac Reid, of the Fitzroy club in New Plymouth.

Having represented New Zealand as part of the Junior Black Fins at last year’s Lifesaving World Championships in The Netherlands, Corrin and Reid, both 17, are considered well placed to lead their 12-strong team.

Corrin’s rise through the national surf lifesaving ranks has continued unabated this year.

At the surf lifesaving nationals, she was one of 21 athletes named in the open high-performance squad. That was followed by her inclusion in teams for the World Games in Poland and the surf rescue challenge.

The 2017 International Surf Rescue Challenge is being hosted by Surf Life Saving New Zealand at Mt Maunganui from November 30 to December 3.

Eight national open teams and five youth national teams are confirmed starters. Australia, Great Britain, South Africa, the United States, Canada, France and Japan will join their New Zealand hosts.

The Junior Black Fins will join the Black Fins team of 12, who will be led by Max Beattie (Omanu) and vice-captain and former Midway member Devon Halligan (now of Omanu).

Ahead of the event, both Corrin and Reid will represent New Zealand at other international competitions. Corrin is competing at this month’s World Games in Poland and Reid will attend the Commonwealth Youth Games in The Bahamas.

New Zealand Youth team coach Matt Cairns, formerly of Gisborne’s Waikanae club, said both Corrin and Reid brought a vast amount of experience to their roles.

“We know they will bring an edge from these competitions to our team and lead from the front,” he said.

“Their past experiences in a team environment have shown they are willing to put the team first, have a great work ethic, love winning and get on well with their peers. This is exactly what we are looking for in our captains.”

Cairns said the appointments had been made with an eye to the future.

“Both Olivia and Zac are eligible for the Junior Black Fins team for the 2018 Lifesaving World Championships in Adelaide, and this experience will help them on that path.”