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 Selection Katie Chinn Xanthe Saunders Grace Hansen Discretionary Zoe Ball Discretionary Alicia Schenk Discretionary
U19
Athlete Selection Katie Chinn Xanthe Saunders Grace Hansen Zoe Ball Discretionary Alicia Schenk Discretionary
U17
Athlete Selection Sylvia Palmer Charlotte Chinn Holly Meyer Scarlett Cachatoor-Faber
U15
Athlete Selection Anna Evans Ayla Radley Yume Fookes Marley de Jong
U13
Athlete Selection Nina Fookes Olivia Chellet Trixie de Jong
Para
Athlete Selection Eltje Malzbender Rachel Maia Discretionary
Male lead
Open
Athlete Selection Oliver Chinn Luke Williams Discretionary
U19
Athlete Selection Eliezar Cachatoor-Faber Lucas Machado Gomes
U17
Athlete Selection Fletcher McGrath Quinn Boetzelen-McIntyre Xavier Wasek-Webb Ben Giles Malachi Johnston Alex James
U15
Athlete Selection Hugo Harkness Max Lepper Brooklyn Jackson-Gers Tobin Priestley Discretionary Huxley Bolger Discretionary
U13
Athlete Selection Hamish McLaughlin Xavier Faber Discretionary Lochie Ward Discretionary Mikhail Dergilev Discretionary — development squad only
Para
Athlete Selection Kaleb Westlake
Selection inquiries: selection@climbing.nz
