As 2025 gets under way, Bonnie Jansen looks at the 20 athletes under 20 who shone on international stages in the last 12 months and the ones to keep an eye on this year. Athletes were age 20 or younger as of December 2024 and are listed in no particular
New Zealand’s top 20 athletes under 20 shine on global stage
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Who are the best 20 athletes aged 20 and under in New Zealand? Photo / Photosport, Getty Images
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The Aucklander made another significant jump in her career in 2024, signing for Racing Louisville in the America’s National Women’s Soccer League, widely regarded as one of the best women’s competitions in the world. Though minutes were limited for Clegg during her first season at the top club, the experience she’s gained based abroad has seen the youngster become a lock in the Football Ferns squad.
Louis Sharp, motorsport,1 7
Sharp comes from the same pathway as Liam Lawson, won Formula Four in 2023 with five victories across the 2024 season. This year, he’ll race in Formula Three. Sharp has also gained simulator experience with Mercedes.
Leka Halasima, rugby league, 18
Upgraded to the Warriors’ top 30 and made his first-grade debut in 2024, and is expected to continue climbing in 2025. A versatile forward who also showed his wares in the centres for an injury-hit Warriors side.
Keano Kini, rugby league, 20
Grabbed the Gold Coast Titans’ No 1 jersey with both hands last year and made his Kiwis debut to cap it all off. Will only continue to get better under the tutelage of Des Hasler, who has a brilliant record in developing fullbacks.
Georgia Plimmer, cricket, 20
After the shock retirement of Bernadine Beizudenhout, 20-year-old Plimmer has found a home at the top of the White Ferns’ batting order. Finished level with icon Suzie Bates as New Zealand’s top run-scorer in the incredible T20 World Cup win, including 53 in a must-win game against Sri Lanka. Still has plenty of room to grow, as well.
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Julian David, speed climbing, 19
The teen and teammate Sarah Tetzlaff were the first Kiwis to compete in the new Olympic event, speed climbing. David exceeded his expectations in Paris racing up a 15m wall setting a new personal best and making the quarter-finals. With time on his side, it’s only up from here for David, as the sport is locked in again for Los Angeles 2028.
Oscar Goodman, basketball, 17
The 2.03m power forward committed to the University of Michigan to play collegiate basketball next season, as he drives towards his goal of reaching the NBA. Goodman played a key role in the New Zealand Under-17 side that finished fourth at the World Cup in July – his averages of 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game saw him named to the All-Tournament First Team.
Tara Vaughan, canoe, 20
The youngest member of the Olympic champion K4 500m crew. Has spent time working closely with Dame Lisa Carrington, and could carry New Zealand’s canoe sprint hopes into the future.
Tom Bewley, motorsport, 16
Won the 2024 Toyota 86 Championship aged just 16. Has since made his debut in Porsche GT3, and took pole position on debut, despite not being able to practice while ill. Still finished second in his first race.
Julius Halaifonua, basketball, 18
The 2.13m Aucklander is headed to Georgetown University with an eye on the NBA. Has been part of the league’s Global Academy and joins a programme at Georgetown that has produced greats of the game like Dikembe Mutombo and Allen Iverson.
Amelia Walmsley, netball, 20
The Central Pulse goal shoot is the likely candidate to fill the void left within the Silver Ferns by superstar Grace Nweke in 2025. The Central Pulse shooter debuted for New Zealand as a teenager in September 2023 and has so far earned six caps. She’s got a big year coming up as she’ll likely star for New Zealand at the World Youth Netball Cup.
Fiona Xu, golf, 20
New Zealand’s second representative on the LPGA Tour next year along with Lydia Ko. Finishing eighth on the Epson Tour gave her the full LPGA card and Xu earned nearly $150,000 in prizemoney in 2024 with two top-five finishes and her maiden professional win – the Copper Rock Championship at a sensational 22-under in 54 holes.
Tyler Bindon, football, 19
Reading FC’s Tyler Bindon has more official senior game minutes (4804) in the last year than any outfield teenage player worldwide, including the likes of Ballon d’Or nominee Lamine Yamal. With 13 All Whites appearances to his name, the defender is certainly putting himself in contention for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
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Mezzy Surridge, hockey, 19
Surridge has just been named in the Black Sticks women’s squad while still a teenager. She was the top goal-scorer for Canterbury in the women’s National Hockey Championship.
Finley Melville Ives, skiing, 18
The freestyle skier claimed a halfpipe silver medal at the Olympic Winter Youth Games in Gangwon this year. The Wānaka-raised athlete went on to finish in fourth place at the 2024 FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup in Calgary.
Winni Goldsbury, mountain biking, 18
The Christchurch rider won two from two in the UCI Mountain Biking Enduro World Series in France, during which she showed her spirit off the bike to check on competitor and friend, Xanthe Robb from Nelson, who had crashed mid-race. She’s ranked fifth in the world for women under 21.
Oli Mathis, rugby/rugby sevens, 19
Mathis was a breakout star for Waikato in the 2024 NPC season, scoring five tries in seven matches. He’s recently committed his short-term future to the All Blacks Sevens side.
Monique Wieruszowski, swimming, 16
At the 2024 Auckland Age Group and Open Championships, Wieruszowski set a new national 100m breaststroke record of 1m 7.67s, claiming gold. At the time, the achievement ranked her seventh among all-time American 15- to 16-year-old performers.
Matt Rowe, cricket, 19
Famously took 9-12 playing for Palmerston North Boys’ High School, including six wickets in a single over. Took eight wickets at an average of 17.75 at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup last January. Has since made his debut for Canterbury in List A cricket, and took the wicket of Black Caps wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver.
Bonnie Jansen is a multimedia journalist in the NZME sports team. She’s a football commentator and co-host of the Football Fever podcast, and was part of the Te Rito cadetship scheme before becoming a fulltime journalist.
