Bowls New Zealand is delighted to announce the New Zealand Under 26 Squad for the period May to December 2026.
The squad has been identified by Bowls New Zealand Selectors Mike Kernaghan, Sharon Sims, Lance Tasker and Trish Croot, with players earning selection through their performances and potential at national level. This opportunity is provided the athletes to immerse themselves in a high‑performance environment as part of the build‑up to the Oceania Challenge in November 2026.
The Under 26 programme will be coached by two former international Blackjacks, with Gary Lawson leading the men’s squad and Val Smith coaching the women’s squad. Both bring a wealth of international experience and will provide outstanding leadership and guidance as players prepare for future international competition.
Selecting the squad early on allows the group time to build strong connections with their coaches and fellow squad members, while gaining a clear understanding of what is required to perform at elite level. Throughout the programme, Lawson and Smith will provide regular feedback to the Selectors, with the final New Zealand Under 26 teams to be selected and announced following the Burnside Under 26 Singles in October.
Bowls New Zealand congratulates the following players on their selection into the 2026 New Zealand Under 26 Squad:
Adam Baillie - Counties
Briar Atkinson - Taranaki
Adam Blucher - Auckland
Zoe Beck - Southland
Hannah Dawson - Auckland
Nathan Goodin - Taranaki
Ryan Hill - Auckland
Camron Horo - Taranaki
Jacob Inch - Canterbury
Jordan Keene - Wellington
Hamish Kelleher - Canterbury
Olivia Mancer - Canterbury
Finbar McGuigan - Wellington
Eden Murrell‑Manu - Marlborough
David Motu - Auckland
Anthony Ouellet - Bay of Plenty
James‑Cameron Powell - Wellington
Henrietta Scott - Auckland
Lily Signal - Wellington
Charvarna Williams - Wellington
Bowls New Zealand looks forward to working closely with this talented group over the coming months and wishes them every success as they continue their high‑performance journey.