Further High Performance positions announced

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is pleased to announce the appointment of Danny Morrison as coach of the New Zealand Development squad through to the end of 2018.

He will join Steve Vaughan as Team Manager to lead the athletes representing New Zealand at the upcoming Sanyo Cup in Japan.

Danny comes with a wealth of knowledge across Surf Sports and the High Performance programme including acting as Assistant Coach for last year's Sanyo Cup.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Sport Manager Mike Lord says coaching staff are an integral part of developing our athletes and teams' success on an international stage and Danny's skills and expertise will be a great addition to this year's campaign.

The Sanyo Cup will take place at the Momochihama Seaside Park in Fukuoka from June 24-25 and New Zealand will join teams from Australia, USA, Great Britain, Netherlands, South Africa, Hong Kong and Japan.

Following the Sanyo Cup is the World Games which is being held in Poland from July 20-30.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand has appointed Johnny Clough as the Pool Lifesaving Official who will be New Zealand's official delegate for the games.

Mr Lord says Johnny has extensive experience in the pool lifesaving space with recent positions including Event Director for Rescue 2016, Competitor Liaison for Rescue 2014 and Event Director for the Australian Pool Championships.

The New Zealand teams for both the 2017 Sanyo Cup and World Games will be announced in the coming weeks.

Two further appointments have also been made to Surf Life Saving New Zealand's High performance programme for the next Lifesaving World Championship campaign (Rescue 2018).

Simone Spencer has been appointed as the Assistant Manager of the New Zealand Youth team.

She joins the management team of Matt Cairns (Coach), Shane Smith (Team Manager), Matt Sutton (Assistant Coach) and Mike Ellis (Physiotherapist).

Mr Lord says Simone brings extensive experience in managing teams and events including the recent World Masters Games Surf Life Saving competition.

"Simone has previously represented New Zealand at the Trans-Tasman test and World Lifesaving Championships and her first-hand knowledge will be a great asset to the team."

Matt Cairns will fill the fourth National Selector spot alongside Duane Dalton, Jason Pocock and Jonelle Quane.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Smith, Media & Communications Manager, SLSNZ
Phone 0276 488 823
Email lisa.smith@surflifesaving.org.nz