News
New Zealand announces its team to retain lifesaving world title
Monday, 14 July 2014Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) has announced the New Zealand Team who will fight to retain the Kiwi's world title at Rescue 2014- the Lifesaving World Championships.
SLSNZ Chairman Geoff Hamilton announced the team of 12 athletes, which includes three 2012 Olympians along with nine members of the winning Rescue 2012 team.
The six female athletes includes swimmers Natasha Hind, Laura Quilter and Samantha Lee (who are representing New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow), Ironwoman Devon Halligan and Australian beach flags champion Chanel Hickman. The five Rescue 2012 teammates are joined by Rescue 2012 NZ Under 20 team member Danielle McKenzie.
The men's line-up includes Olympic swimmers Steven Kent (also over at the Commonwealth Games) and Andrew McMillan along with Ironman Max Beattie. They are joined by fellow Rescue 2012 athlete Paul Cracroft-Wilson and completing the line-up is Cory Taylor and Chris Dawson who were both part of the New Zealand Under 20 team at Rescue 2012.
Mr Hamilton says as current champions, the spotlight has been on New Zealand to name our team and it is a selection process that has been taken very seriously. "We have selected a combination of athletes who we believe has the experience, talent and absolute determination to win once again. We will be going over to France this September with the clear intention of keeping that trophy where it belongs," he says.
New Zealand team Coach Scott Bartlett says he is looking forward to taking on, not only the Australians, but other national teams such as France and Italy who will provide some strong competition on the world stage. "All eyes will be on us to deliver an unbeatable performance and that's exactly what we plan to do," he says.
The Lifesaving World Championships are held every two years and attracts competitors from over 40 nations.
Rescue 2014 is being held in the South of France from September 13-26 with the national teams' competition kicking off on September 16.
Athletes will compete in ten separate disciplines - swimming, simulated emergency rescue, Ironman / Ironwoman, surf-ski, board, beach sprints, beach flags, surf boats and IRB.
New Zealand will also be sending a previously named Youth Team. Like the New Zealand team, the Youth Team features six male and six female athletes.
Visit /calendar/2014/september/rescue-2014/ for more information and follow our teams on Facebook.
New Zealand Team:
Natasha Hind- Lyall Bay
Samantha Lee- Lyall Bay
Chanel Hickman- Mairangi Bay
Danielle McKenzie- Mairangi Bay
Devon Halligan- Midway
Laura Quilter- Wainui
Steven Kent- Titahi Bay
Andrew McMillan- St Clair
Paul Cracroft Wilson- Fitzroy
Cory Taylor- Midway
Max Beattie- Omanu
Chris Dawson- Midway
Scott Bartlett- Coach
Jason Pocock- Assistant Coach
Mark Weatherall- Manager
Steven Vaughan- Assistant Manager
Susan Pirret- Physiotherapist
Dr Caroline Stuart- Sports Doctor (non-traveling)
New Zealand Youth Team:
Kelsi Boocock - Red Beach
Maia Bryant - Papamoa
Ben Cochrane - Omanu
Olivia Eaton - Mt Maunganui
Jacob Hales - Papamoa
Jake Hurley - Mairangi Bay
Ben Johnston - Papamoa
Matthew Scott - Midway
Jasmine Smith - Wainui
Andrew Trembath - St Clair
Brittany Tucker - Sumner
Hannah Williams - Piha
Kurt Wilson- Coach
Jonelle Quane- Assistant Coach
Brent Wilson- Manager
Mike Ellis- Physiotherapist
For more information please contact:
Lisa Honeybone, Media & Communications Specialist, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.honeybone@surflifesaving.org.nz