A nineteen-strong aquatics team will represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games.
Seventeen swimmers and two divers were named to the team in Auckland today.
The team is headlined by Glasgow 2014 double gold medalist and nine-time Paralympic champion Sophie Pascoe, who at only 24 is the most experienced athlete
on the team.
Glasgow representatives, Corey Main, Matthew Stanley and diver Liam Stone are returning for their second Commonwealth Games.
"We're delighted to name such a strong team that will sees Para sports and able-bodied athletes compete alongside each other at Gold Coast 2018," New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith said.
"There is some real depth of experience in the team which will be invaluable as young swimmers like Gabrielle Fa'amausili and Bobbi Gichard head to their first Commonwealth Games.
"I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of Lauren Boyle to swimming who was able to join us today to congratulate the athletes named today."
Para sport events are integrated and contested as part of the main programme at the Commonwealth Games. Gold Coast 2018 will host the largest Para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history.
Rio Paralympians Jesse Reynolds and Tupou Neiufi will debut in their first Commonwealth games, alongside newcomers Chris Arbuthnott and Celyn Edwards.
Graeme Maw, Paralympics New Zealand Programme Manager said Para swimmers have been performing exceptionally well throughout 2017 and will look to Pascoe to lead the team. "We have so much experience in the group with Sophie Pascoe who will undoubtedly be a force in the pool. Alongside Sophie will be Jesse, Tupou, Chris and Celyn, we are very excited with the group of Para swimmers competing on the Gold Coast," he said.
Twelve able bodied swimmers have earned selection including Rio 2016 Olympians Bradlee Ashby and Corey Main. Both athletes achieved the automatic qualifying times after standout performances at the 2017 FINA World Championships. Ashby broke his own 200m individual medley national record and Main set two personal bests to make the final of the 100m backstroke.
Australian based, sixteen-year old Laticia-Leigh Transom has had a breakout year in 2017. In her first New Zealand international outing at the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas she won two golds (4x200m Freestyle Mixed Relay, Girls 200m Freestyle), two silvers (Girls 100m Freestyle, 4x100m Medley Mixed Relay) and a bronze medal (Girls 50m Freestyle).
Transom (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Te Rangi, Te Ati Haunui a Pāpārangi), was also recently named Junior Māori Sportswoman of the year at the 2017 Maori Sports Awards.
Completing the team list for Gold Coast is former double junior world champion Gabrielle Fa'amausili and newcomers Carina Doyle, Daniel Hunter, Sam Perry, Georgia Marris, Bobbi Gichard and Bronagh Ryan.
Olympian Lizzie Cui will join Glasgow Commonwealth Games diver Liam Stone, competing in both the women's and men's 1m and 3m springboard respectively.
Team list
Swimming
Chris Arbuthnott - Ice Breaker Aquatics, Palmerston North
Bradlee Ashby - Fairfield Swimming Club, Auckland based.
Carina Doyle - North Shore Swim Club, Auckland
Celyn Edwards - Selwyn Swim Club, Christchurch
Gabrielle Fa'amausili - United Swimming Club, Auckland
Helena Gasson - Coast Swim Club, Auckland
Bobbi Gichard - Howick Pakuranga Swimming Club, Auckland
Daniel Hunter - Howick Pakuranga Swimming Club, Auckland
Corey Main - Howick Pakuranga Swimming Club, (Florida Uni)
Georgia Marris - University of Florida
Tupou Neiufi - Howick Pakuranga Swimming Clun, Auckland
Sophie Pascoe - QEII Swim Club, Christchurch
Samuel Perry - St Peter's Swimming Club, Stanford University.
Jesse Reynolds - Fairfield Swimming Club, Auckland based.
Bronagh Ryan - Porirua City Aquatics, Wellington
Matthew Stanley - Matamata Swim Club, Australia based.
Laticia-Leigh Transom - Brisbane Grammar Swimming, Australia
Diving
Liam Stone
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Cui
