The 2025–26 Lead Development Squad is the pool of athletes eligible for New Zealand team selection at international lead competitions this season.

Being named in the squad isn’t automatic selection for any event. When an international competition comes up, CNZ sends an expression of interest to squad athletes. The final team for that competition is selected from athletes who respond.

Selections across all categories are made under the CNZ selection policy.

Female lead

Open

Athlete	Notes
Katie Chinn
Xanthe Saunders
Grace Hansen	Discretionary
Zoe Ball	Discretionary
Alicia Schenk	Discretionary

U19

Athlete	Notes
Katie Chinn
Xanthe Saunders
Grace Hansen
Zoe Ball	Discretionary
Alicia Schenk	Discretionary

U17

Athlete	Notes
Sylvia Palmer
Charlotte Chinn
Holly Meyer
Scarlett Cachatoor-Faber

U15

Athlete	Notes
Anna Evans
Ayla Radley
Yume Fookes
Marley de Jong

U13

Athlete	Notes
Nina Fookes
Olivia Chellet
Trixie de Jong

Para

Athlete	Notes
Eltje Malzbender
Rachel Maia	Discretionary

Male lead

Open

Athlete	Notes
Oliver Chinn
Luke Williams	Discretionary

U19

Athlete	Notes
Eliezar Cachatoor-Faber
Lucas Machado Gomes

U17

Athlete	Notes
Fletcher McGrath
Quinn Boetzelen-McIntyre
Xavier Wasek-Webb
Ben Giles
Malachi Johnston
Alex James

U15

Athlete	Notes
Hugo Harkness
Max Lepper
Brooklyn Jackson-Gers
Tobin Priestley	Discretionary
Huxley Bolger	Discretionary

U13

Athlete	Notes
Hamish McLaughlin
Xavier Faber	Discretionary
Lochie Ward	Discretionary
Mikhail Dergilev	Discretionary — development squad only

Para

Athlete	Notes
Kaleb Westlake