Southland Sport
Academy Southland manager Jason McKenzie will take his skills to the international stage with the New Zealand team at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires later this week.
McKenzie will be part of the Performance Support team for the New Zealand team, which includes 61 athletes from 22 sports.
While Performance Sport Psychology roles are commonplace at Olympic and Commonwealth Games level, this will be the first time New Zealand has implemented the role at youth level.
“It’s pretty exciting. It’s been something that I’ve always wanted to have a look at and it’s a massive opportunity,” McKenzie told Nick Jeffrey on the Southland All Sport Breakfast.
“It’s the premier youth event in the whole world. There’s over 6000 athletes competing in Buenos Aires, from over 200 countries. The event runs over 13 days and the New Zealand team has 61 athletes from 22 sports.
“It’s the first time many of these athletes will be going to a multi-sport event. There are so many distractions, so much pressure, but also so much opportunity.”
McKenzie applied for the role and was selected after an interview process.
The Youth Olympics are a celebration of sport and culture for athletes aged 14 to 18, with sports ranging from the traditional Olympic pursuits through to newcomers like dancesport, sport climbing and futsal.
While no Southlanders have been selected for this year’s Youth Olympics, McKenzie is sure the next representatives won’t be far away.
“I often sit back and feel like a proud dad. We are just one part of what makes those athletes work. I just love the fact our Southland athletes continue to do amazing things,” he said.
“We had a couple of athletes go close to the Youth Olympics as well. Mac Stodart was on the short list and Ella Smith must have gone close as well.”