Athletics NZ and Canoe Slalom NZ building stronger pathways
With previous features on programmes initiated by Swimming NZ, Rowing NZ, Cycling NZ, Yachting NZ and Equestrian NZ, the spotlight turns to Athletics New Zealand (Athletics NZ), an HPSNZ podium sport, and Canoe Slalom New Zealand (CSNZ), an HPSNZ campaign focused sport. Both are using the investment to deliver targeted initiatives aimed at improving how athletes are identified, developed and prepared for future high performance campaigns.
For Athletics NZ, the investment is enabling a more structured and layered approach to pathway development.
“We’ve branded this phase of development as performance development initiatives within our pathway,” says Athletics NZ HPAD Tim Driesen. “Those initiatives break into three targeted areas that incorporate experiences, environments and coaching.”
These include regional performance development camps, more tailored event group-specific support, and a targeted stream focused on performance profiling, testing and high performance immersion.
“We’ve got the regional approach, which is a more holistic development approach. We’ve got our event group development approach, which is more specific to the needs of each event group, and then a high-level targeted training, testing and immersion group focused on individual athletes and coaches,” Tim explains.
A key shift is the ability to broaden both the reach and depth of support across the pathway.
“What we haven’t been able to do in the past is the lower and the top end of those three areas,” he says. “We haven’t had the scope to work closely with regional areas to identify athletes and provide those opportunities. This funding is allowing us to expand our scope.”
That expanded reach is particularly evident through the move to regional camps.
“Previously it might have been 20 to 30 athletes attending a national camp once a year. Now we’ll go into three to five regions, with 20 to 40 athletes in each area. We’re expanding that network and enhancing what already exists locally.”
For Canoe Slalom NZ, the focus is on preparing athletes earlier for the evolving demands of international competition.
“With changes to the international race format and Olympic qualification now spread across nine events in two years, athletes now get one run per event —if you don’t make top 12, you’re out of finals contention,” says Canoe Slalom NZ CEO Pandora Fruean.
“We really need to shift how our younger athletes think and prepare so they can deliver under that pressure first time. We need to help them significantly improve consistency and readiness.”
“How do we close that gap? How do we teach them that? And how do we replicate those pressures in our own training and competitions?” Pandora says.
The investment is supporting increased access to training camps, earlier exposure to international racing, and more consistent coaching support.
“We need to give them opportunities earlier so they understand what’s expected – how to travel, how to prepare, and how to compete consistently at that level,” she says. “We now have an opportunity to expand our camp model and have more regular contact and support. That’s going to make a big difference.”
Across both sports, the focus is on building stronger, more connected, and better communicated pathways and addressing critical development gaps earlier.
HPSNZ Head of Performance Pathways Tracey Paterson says the initiatives reflect a broader shift in approach.
“What we’re seeing across these initiatives is a real shift towards intentional, long-term system building. Sports are identifying the critical moments in their pathways and putting targeted solutions in place to better prepare athletes for the demands of high performance.
“It’s about creating stronger, more connected environments that will support success not just in the next cycle, but through to Brisbane 2032 and beyond,” says Tracey.
With funding now committed, the focus turns to implementation—embedding these initiatives and strengthening the systems that will underpin future success.