The New Zealand Olympic Committee is proud to announce four athletes selected today to the New Zealand Team for the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games.
Joining a team of 12 swimmers already named, Beach volleyballers Tineke Hinton (18, Christchurch) and Kiana Stevenson (17, Auckland) have earned their spots on the women’s team, while Calum Stewart (17, Tauranga) and Juraj Krajci (18, Tauranga) have been named to the men’s team.
The Commonwealth Youth Games are part of the NZOC’s pre-elite pathway and provide a development opportunity for promising young athletes. Trinbago 2023 will be a multi-sport event for athletes aged 14 to 18 from around the Commonwealth and provide a high level of competition as well as access to educational and cultural experiences.
The youth athletes named today secured their spot on the team after demonstrating their capability and potential during both the New Zealand Beach Volleyball Tour and Age Group Inter-Provincial Beach Volleyball Championships held earlier this year.
The women’s team will be led by head coach Fiona Scrimshaw who brings a wealth of experience, having coached the silver medal winning women’s team at the Bahamas 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games, and the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
“I’m very excited by this team, I think we have a really good chance at being really competitive,” said Scrimshaw.
“To take a young team to Trinbago will be awesome, it’s their first time in a big arena so the experience will be invaluable. We have a consistent team that can deliver on the day, and it’s important that we take care of the little things and give it our best shot.”
In preparation for the Games, the Team will look to gain international experience and acclimate to the heat expected in Trinbago. The men’s pairing will travel to Europe, while the women’s pairing will compete in California before continuing their journey to Trinidad and Tobago
NZOC Nicki Nicol extended her congratulations to the athletes.
“Well done to the four youth athletes named today. We’re thrilled to have you as part of the New Zealand Team,” said Nicol.
“We wish them all the best for their preparation leading into the games and look forward to seeing them in action in just over two months’ time.”
Beach volleyball at Trinbago 2023 will be contested at the Pigeon Point Beach Facility in Tobago, with competition to begin on August 5th.
Grace Tiplady, Kalea Norton, Michael Tyler, and Mateo Roa have been named as reserves.
The team naming takes the total number of athletes selected to the New Zealand Team for Trinbago 2023 to 16.