Southland Sport
The Southern Institute of Technology Performance Hub has named this years intake of riders – a massive congratulations to everyone on their selection!
Cycling New Zealand has established the athlete development programme with the overarching aim of systematically increasing the quality and quantity of athletes across all cycling codes feeding into the Cycling New Zealand High Performance elite programme.
Head coach Sid Cumming is the driving force behind the local programme and has seen an increased interest in the Hub over the last three years and attributes it to the strong bond between the young cyclists and the community’s support.
“The Hub programme is all about nurturing and developing local talent. Last year our athletes consistently podiumed at the Vantage Elite & U19 Track Nationals, junior road and track events throughout the country. The junior men’s team pursuit won gold at the Junior World Track Champs, and with former Southern Hub rider Corbin Strong being named in the Vantage elite men’s endurance squad, proves the programme is delivering results.
“We have the support of the local Southland community with local companies and organisations Southern Institute of Technology, HJ Smith, Community Trust South, Gardner Family and of course having national programme sponsor Subway New Zealand in our corner, means we can build momentum and create great coaching opportunities to fully develop more young riders to flow into the elite space.”
Local Invercargill Subway restaurants, including Subway Windsor Street, welcome the team each week after they complete their weekly community rides, which has become a post-ride tradition. Subway Windsor Street franchise owners Richard and Paula Jackson are active in the cycling community, providing ongoing support of the team, including attending races as spectators to cheer their team on.
“The local performance Hub has contributed greatly to our community, and we are so proud to be able to support the riders and team officials by welcoming them each week into our restaurants. There is something really satisfying knowing that our freshly baked bread and fresh ingredients are fuelling the next generation of young athletes who are setting out to achieve their dreams,” said Ms Jackson.
The Jackson’s have been catering for the Southern team for three years and have witnessed riders such as Corbin Strong and other team members achieve success through the programme. Strong was in the New Zealand squad that won the men’s team pursuit at the Junior World Track Championships in Switzerland in August 2018.
The Subway New Zealand National Performance Hub programme delivers an opportunity for emerging young talent to perform with consistent training and professional resources. As well as providing training facilities and programmes for athletes, the Hubs assist with the development of key regional coaches and provide a pathway for coaches as part of high-performance succession planning.
The 2019 SIT Southern Performance Hub squad is:
- Rhylee Akeroyd
- Sophie-Leigh Bloxham
- Navarh Brotherston
- Jennifer Brown
- Mitchel Fitzsimons
- Natalie Green
- Tyla Green
- Louis Hodgkinson
- Nicole Marshall
- Rylee McMullen
- Josh Miller
- Quinn Naylor
- Emily Paterson
- Helena Rikiti
- L’achlan Robertson
- Conor Shearing
- Jessica Spencer
- Corbin Strong (HP)
- Sam Miller (Road professional)
- Jacob Willis
Source: Cycling New Zealand