Tayler Reid wins spot in Commonwealth Games team

GOLD COAST-BOUND: Tayler had to keep the news a secret until the New Zealand team was officially announced, and now his family are focusing on travelling to the Gold Coast next year. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

FOR Gisborne’s newest Commonwealth Games representative, thriathlete Tayler Reid, telling his family was the best part of his selection.

But, like his family, he was sworn to secrecy for a couple of days until the New Zealand triathlon squad for the Games was formally announced yesterday.

“When I got the call I was with mates and it was hard to hold it in. But I was able to tell my family and that was great.”

Tayler’s father Andrew Reid admits he wanted to tell everyone a couple of days ago that his son was going to compete for the New Zealand triathlon team at the Games on the Gold Coast in April.

“I was working in Hamilton when Tayler rang me (from Cambridge) to say he had made the team but that I couldn’t tell anyone, except immediate family, until Triathlon New Zealand announced the five-member squad yesterday.

“I was just so proud of him, he worked so hard to get there.”

Tayler’s mum, Jackie Clapperton, a self confessed “crier on big occasions” said now that she could tell everyone, she could stop crying.

“It's been a rollercoaster couple of days since we (husband Shane) were told. We’re all super proud of Tayler.

“He has fantastic family support from both sets of parents (Andrew and Bronwyn), grandparents on both sides and other family members. He has also been very lucky to have the support of coaches and local people.

Tayler's hard work“It’s amazing but at the end of the day it’s all about Tayler and the hard work he has put in ever since taking up the sport.”

Jackie and Andrew laughed when asked if they were going to the Gold Coast in April.

“Of course we’re going. We booked our tickets four weeks ago,” said Jackie, who won a bronze medal at the world age group trampoline championships in Texas in 1998.

Andrew’s response was in a similar vein.

“Definitely. We booked our tickets a month ago. Bronwyn’s parents and her brother, who lives in Australia, will be heading to Brisbane.

“My parents are now looking at going over. It’s going to be an amazing experience.”

But what if Tayler had missed out on selection?

“We felt he had a good chance after a solid season and were quietly confident he’d make it,” Andrew said.

“But then he finished behind Sam Ward and Dan Hoy (Tayler’s rivals to be paired with Ryan Sissons) in South Korea and a little bit of doubt crept in.

“I’m biased but I just felt, hoped, that Tayler’s form over the season and the fact that he is a strong competitor in the team’s races, with his strength in the swim and bike ... that might be good enough to earn him a spot on the team.

Jackie agreed.

“We were confident without being over-confident. He has worked hard with Stephen Sheldrake, his coach, and he’s got the reward.”