Selection Criteria

Performance Standards

Athletes must show benchmarking against the sport’s Picture of Performance (POP) that demonstrates evidence that the athlete is confirming the attributes, attitudes, and ambition to achieve world Top 8 placings or medal success at the pinnacle event/s in future cycles.

​​​​​​​SENIOR:

• Achieved Senior Squad Selection within the previous 12 months OR
• Evidence based tracking to achieve Senior Squad Selection standards in next 12 months

U23:

• Podium performance NZ National Championships OR
• Achieved NZ U23 Squad selection in the previous 12 months OR

• Evidence based tracking to achieve NZ U23 Squad selection standards in next 12 months with endorsement required by coach (attitude, potential) 

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Hiriwa Squad Performance Support 

• Dedicated Squad Coaches – Committed coaches driving athlete growth and performance, providing:

  • Individual Performance Planning (IPP) — personalised roadmaps to success
  • Tailored programming to support development and race-readiness
  • Club coach collaboration Strengthening the link between squad goals and local environments,
  • Weekly individual and group check-ins — keeping athletes connected and accountable
  • Performance analysis and feedback to sharpen technique and tactics
  • Online training support — ensuring progress, anywhere, anytime

• Subsidised Water Access at Wero – Affordable, high-quality training opportunities alongside High Performance sessions — bridging the gap to elite performance.

• Silver Academy Performance Curriculum – A complete toolkit building resilient, adaptable athletes with: Nutrition for fuel and recovery, Strength & Conditioning for power and endurance, Mental Skills for focus and resilience, Technical & Tactical Development for race-winning strategies, Lifestyle & Personal Development to balance sport and life, Post-School Transition Support — guiding the path to sport post school.

• Domestic Training Camps – National camps designed to accelerate development, build squad cohesion, and replicate high-performance competition environments.

• Coach-Led Race Support – Strategic, squad-aligned coaching support at targeted domestic competitions (CSNZ Selection Races) to ensure performance is maximised when it matters most.

• Lumin Athlete Management System - access to CSNZ portal to track performance, training, schedules, wellbeing and more.