The provisional squad announced on this page has been confirmed. The official 2025–26 Lead Development Squad is now published at climbing.nz/new-zealand-team/2025-26-lead-development-squad.
Original provisional announcement, March 2026:
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
The appeals window has now closed. Any received appeals will be processed by the selection committee according to the Selection Policy. The selection committee will communicate with the athletes concerned before the squad is finalised. The final Development Squad will be announced on the CNZ website.
Once the squad is finalised, CNZ will send Expressions of Interest (EOI) to eligible athletes for the upcoming Lead competitions.
Please send your questions to selection@climbing.nz.