World champion Briana Irving, from Waikanae, who recently won the Australian open women's beach sprint title in her return from injury, has been named in the Surf Life Saving New Zealand open high-performance squad. Photo / Jamie Troughton, Dscribe Media Services
World champion Briana Irving, from Waikanae, who recently won the Australian open women's beach sprint title in her return from injury, has been named in the Surf Life Saving New Zealand open high-performance squad. Photo / Jamie Troughton, Dscribe Media Services
Surf Life Saving New Zealand has announced this year’s ocean and beach performance squads – and a stack of the athletes come from Gisborne.
Ten athletes in the three squads selected after summer racing are either living in Gisborne or have strong local connections.
The open squad includes BrianaIrving (Waikanae), Gold Coast-based Cory Taylor (Midway) and Olivia Corrin (Midway), Oska Smith (formerly Waikanae, now Ōmanu) and Sophie Petro (Midway).
Veteran Midway club member Cory Taylor is among the Gisborne-connected athletes selected for the SLSNZ high performance open squad as the organisation builds towards international competition. Photo / Jamie Troughton Dscribe Media
The Under-19 squad features Ella Sutton, Jacqueline Kennedy, James Hamblyn and Yahni Brown (all from Midway).
In a significant move, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) has built a new age-group pathway, progressing from U17s to U19s to open.
Midway's Jacqueline Kennedy celebrates victory at the national championships. Gaining more experience and success on an international level is her next step. Photo / Dominic Gasparich
“It’s a shift toward clarity and long‑term sustainability for lifesaving sport in Aotearoa,” SLSNZ said in a statement.
“One of the most immediate benefits of the new structure is its simplicity, as athletes, coaches and parents can more easily navigate a pathway that aligns with domestic age categories and competition dates.”
SLSNZ said each squad would have clearly defined target competitions that matched their stage of development.
Ella Sutton has been named in the Surf Life Saving New Zealand Under-19 squad. Photo / Dominic Gasparich
“These competitions, alongside the international teams to be selected for each year, gives athletes meaningful benchmarks, help coaches plan seasons and ensure that progression is targeted, purposeful and aligned with international standards.”
The U19 and open squads are designed to prepare athletes for the demands of senior international competition.
Gold Coast-based Olivia Corrin has another important role to play for New Zealand in international surf lifesaving competitions. Photo / Jamie Troughton, Dscribe Media Services
“A stronger-high performance programme inspires younger athletes, raises the profile of lifesaving sport nationally, strengthens club pride and identity and creates role models who give back to their communities,” SLSNZ said.
“When the Black Fins succeed, the entire movement benefits.
“This new structure provides the strong foundation required for consistent, long‑term achievement. The end goal remains clear – our people performing and winning on the world stage.
“Congratulations to each of our new ocean/beach squad members. We’re looking forward to a rewarding year of training.”
