New Zealand athletes set for Aussie Tour

A group of 24 emerging Kiwi athletes will be given an invaluable opportunity to experience how to travel, live and train ahead of a pinnacle event as part of the pre-Oceania Area Championships (OAC) Tour, proudly supported by the city of Gold Coast.

The tour represents a welcome chance for the athletes to taste the pre-championship environment with the support of tour management and a coaching team on the Gold Coast before the athletes move on to the Oceania Championships – which take place in Mackay, Queensland from June 7-11.

The athletes depart New Zealand on 26 May with the majority of training based out of the Gold Coast Performance Centre – which boasts a track, gym and spa/pools.

The tour will include an opportunity for the travelling athletes to compete at the Gold Coast Invitational on 28 May. Two training times will be allotted on most days and there will be free time to relax or study. Workshops will also he held through the week with the opportunity for some outings in Queensland.

The tour group will join the rest of the New Zealand OAC team in Mackay on 4 June – where there will be another competitive opportunity – ahead of the Oceania Championships.

The tour leader and Athletics NZ High Performance Development Leader Tim Driesen said: “With the cancellation of many international events over the last couple of years it is great to be able to offer this touring opportunity to athletes. An important part of an athletes’ development is to understand how to best prepare for a pinnacle event within a team environment.

“Pre-camps are important to help acclimatise for events but can also present some challenges, which both athletes and their coaches need to understand and experience to be able to maximise preparation for the targeted competition. This tour will provide some of these experiences and also a great environment to refine training leading into the Oceania Area Championships.”

The athletes selected for the tour:

Will Anthony

Abbey Moody

Asher Pettengell-Brand

Julia Burnham

Liam Ngchok-Wulf

Lucy Shennan

Emma Ferguson

Rorie Poff

Rosaria Gibson

Hannah Gapes

Natalia Rankin-Chi Tar

Ryan Ballantyne

Kiera Hall

Adam Stack

Isabel Neal

James Harding

James Ford

Camryn Smart

Lizzie Hewitt

Maddie Kelso-Heap

Tiaan Whelpton

Suzannah Kennelly

Harrison McGregor

Eddie Osei-Nketia

Management

Tim Driesen – Tour Lead/Throws

Kirsten Hellier – Coach Lead/Throws

Kim Mickle – Tour Admin/Throws

Hannah Manu – Physio

Damian Blocki – Distance/Walks coach

James Sandilands – Sprints, Jumps, Hurdles coach

Chris Knight – Sprints, Jumps coach