Climbing New Zealand (CNZ) is pleased to announce the provisional Lead Development Squad for Opens, U19, U17 and Para categories. These selections follow the Lead Nationals held in Rotorua on 7 March 2026.
Selections are based on 25% of Opens competitors and 40% of other grade competitors through to the Development Squad, with additional discretionary selections.
Female lead
Open Female (5 athletes)
- Katie Chinn
- Xanthe Saunders
- Grace Hansen (discretionary)
- Zoe Ball (discretionary)
- Alicia Schenk (discretionary)
U19 Female (5 athletes)
- Katie Chinn
- Xanthe Saunders
- Grace Hansen
- Zoe Ball (discretionary)
- Alicia Schenk (discretionary)
U17 Female (4 athletes)
- Sylvia Palmer
- Charlotte Chinn
- Holly Meyer
- Scarlett Cachatoor-Faber
Para Female (2 athletes)
- Eltje Malzbender
- Rachel Maia (discretionary)
Male lead
Open Male (2 athletes)
- Oliver Chinn
- Luke Williams (discretionary)
U19 Male (2 athletes)
- Eliezar Cachatoor-Faber
- Lucas Machado Gomes
U17 Male (6 athletes)
- Fletcher McGrath
- Quinn Boetzelen-McIntyre
- Xavier Wasek-Webb
- Ben Giles
- Malachi Johnston
- Alex James
Para Male (1 athlete)
- Kaleb Westlake
Appeals
These selections are provisional and subject to appeal. They must be ratified by the CNZ Committee before becoming final.
Athletes who wish to appeal the selection process must do so within two (2) working days of notification. Please refer to Section 7 of the CNZ Selection Policy.
All appeals must be sent to: selection@climbing.nz