Para Swimming National Development Squad Announced for 2026/27
Announcement of the Swimming NZ 2026/27 Para Swimming National Development Squad
Swimming New Zealand is delighted to announce the inaugural Para swimming National Development Squad.
The squad represents the Paralympic pathway equivalent of the National Youth Programme (NYP), however there are no age restrictions enforced on Para swimmers for this initiative – recognising that no athlete's journey through Para swimming is the exact same.
Featuring 13 Para swimmers from nine clubs around Aotearoa, athletes have been selected to the squad based on evidenced progressions possible across multiple cycles for Para swimmers, with the group identified as having the potential to reach qualifying targets for either LA 2028 or the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.
Philosophically, the programme places athletes at its centre – their personal, impairment, and performance needs are considered at every touchpoint of the initiative.
Swimmers will benefit from online learning and workshops covering nutrition, athletic development and other key performance areas, as well as programme recognition and insignia. Already in progress, coaches will benefit from the new coaching initiatives such as LANE4, invitation to camps, and engagement with National Head Coaches.
Scope has been included to allow for others to join the squad across the year if they achieve the relative qualification mark.
This initiative is about building on the sustained positive work done by Swimming NZ in the disability and Para swimming space over the past eight years.
Cameron Leslie PLY MNZM, Swimming NZ Disability & Para Swimming Participation Manager, explains the thinking behind the initiative.
"We have grown from a pool of 23 classified Para swimmers in 2018 to 90+ today, all actively swimming at various levels around New Zealand."
He emphasises that now is the time to start reinforcing the pathway for the next generation to succeed on the international stage.
"That growth is massive, and now is the time to create the blueprint for future Para swimmers to become Aquablacks. Hopefully this group can follow in the footsteps of our swag of Paralympic Games medallists, or even become the next Dame Sophie Pascoe."
The National Development Squad will have cross-over with high performance swimmers to enable them to grow their non-targeted races and provide positive peer role modelling for the next generation.
The Para swimming National Development Squad has been selected as follows:
PARA SWIMMING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
Name | Club | Coach |
Brooke Anderson | Wharenui | Jack Ward |
David Beck | United | Mitch Nairn |
Jack Bugler | Blenheim | Shane Skehan |
Londyn Dillinger | Murihiku | Madison Wills |
McKenzie Drage | Aquagym | Emma Smith & Andy McLay |
James Haydon | United | Mitch Nairn |
Zaedyn Hollands | Waverley | Madison Wills |
Jonty Howland | Dannevirke | Lin Tozer |
Kithmi Kandegoda Gamage | South Otago Sharks | Emily Currall |
Preston Maxwell | Ngā Tai Tūātea a Taraika | Chris Paproski |
Ruby Stace | Aquagym | Emma Smith |
Isabella Thurlow | Wharenui | |
Summer Vincent | Dannevirke | Lin Tozer |
Comments