Tri NZ Names 2014 High Performance Squads

Triathlon New Zealand has announced its High Performance Squads (HPS) for 2014 with 12 athletes named across the three tier system to receive funding, support and mentoring as they continue on the Tri NZ High Performance athlete pathway.

In naming the 12 athletes, Tri NZ High Performance Director Graeme Maw looked back on the highs and lows of 2013 as the recently restructured High Performance Programme transitioned to a more centralised model.

"The past year has had ups and downs – with silver in the World Team Champs the highlight, and the London Grand Final more of a struggle for some – this has been a year of transition as we move to centralisation.

"There is no doubt though that the High Performance Squad has genuine capability and the coaching and support team we have assembled has world-leading expertise. We are all very excited about the year ahead, with both Commonwealth Games and World Champs campaigns, and of course the Youth Olympics to showcase those snapping at the HP Squads' heels."

The Podium (tier 1) Squad includes Andrea Hewitt (Christchurch), Kate McIlroy (Wellington) and Ryan Sissons (Auckland). Nicky Samuels (Wanaka) has also met the selection criteria and Tri NZ are looking forward to discussing her inclusion on her return from overseas where she has been on a break after winning the XTERRA World Championships. All four are experienced on the international stage and know what is required of them to further elevate New Zealand on the international scene.

Nicky Samuels (Photo: Photosport; click to enlarge)

2013 saw three fourths and three fifth place finishes on the ITU World Series circuit, along with the memorable silver medal at the ITU World Team Championships (with Tony Dodds).

Podium Development (tier 2) Squad athletes are the next level down, with Simone Ackermann (Auckland), Sophie Corbidge (Auckland) and Tony Dodds (Wanaka) in this group. Expectation is more around the transition from ITU World Cup events and into ITU World Series races for this group, with clear expectations around that progress and performance standards.

The final group named is the Development (tier 3) Squad, with a stronger emphasis on potential, particularly for Tokyo in 2020 and naturally a younger age bracket for these athletes. Included in this group is Aaron Barclay (Gore), Maddie Dillon (Auckland), Mikayla Nielsen (Waikato), Andrew Ranford (Auckland), Elise Salt (Auckland) and Sam Ward (Auckland).

While many in the tier 1 and 2 squads are known quantities, there is a continued emergence of younger talent in the tier 3 Development Squad, with particular interest in two athletes returning from serious injury issues, with Ranford underlining his potential with an 8th place finish at an ITU Asian Cup race in Hong Kong and Barclay working hard with the Tri NZ medical team to overcome his injury concerns.

Rebecca Kingsford (Tirau) and Bryce McMaster (Auckland) drop out of the HPS after being valued members of the teams in the past few years.

"We wish Rebecca and Bryce all the best in their continued triathlon endeavours," said Maw. "Both have worked incredibly hard this past year but have struggled in the transition beyond U23 racing. But the door is open on a possible return in the future."

The HP Squads are just three of the steps on the new Athlete Pathway, on which athletes are constantly monitored to ensure they are progressing against key performance indicators in racing and individual areas such as swim, bike, run and attitude.

With the recent announcement of the National Talent Programme including regional coach and athlete support networks, the pieces of the jigsaw are coming together to form a very clear and easily understood pathway, from identifying a young athlete with talent right through to those named in the Podium Squad and racing at the highest level.

Maw made mention of a number of youngsters who while they have not quite made the cut for the HP Squads in 2014, are by no means out of the picture.

"Athletes like Nicole van der Kaay, Tayler Reid and Jaimee Leader all raced so well in London and definitely caught the eye of selectors and with another year or two will put genuine pressure on the HP athletes. They are the kind of athlete who will now benefit directly from the National Talent Programme."

Tri NZ also acknowledged the work of the athletes personal coaches who have prepared and mentored them to reach this point in their careers.

Those coaches are:

Brett Reid (Sam Ward), Scott Hotham (Elise Salt), Tony O'Hagan (Andrew Ranford), Peter Bennetts (Sophie Corbidge), Stephen Sheldrake (Mikayla Nielsen), Stephen Farrell (Simone Ackermann, Maddie Dillon), Chris Pilone (Aaron Barclay).

The Tri NZ HP Coaching team of Tim Brazier (Talent Development Coach), Jon Brown (HP Coach) and Greg Fraine (National Coach) are now excited about working with these athletes and enjoying a great year in 2014.

The HP Squad has recently settled in Cambridge with training formally starting on November 8. The Development Squads will be in permanent residence with the Podium Squad visiting for blocks, including 4 weeks in November/December.

Triathlon New Zealand 2014 High Performance Squads

Podium Squad (Tier 1)

Podium Development Squad (Tier 2)

 Development Squad (Tier 3)