Olympic selection panel gets two new faces

New Zealand has a new Olympic selection panel, with former bowls international Mike Kernaghan and board member Tony Hall moving into the hot seats.

The New Zealand Olympic committee today announced their panel for the 2016 cycle, with current selector Simon Wickham named chair and joined by experienced sports administrator and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in bowls Kernaghan and Hall, whose background is in business, education and economic development. 

The new panel will select athletes for the Sochi Winter Olympics and Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.

They replace incumbents Mike Stanley, president of the NZOC, secretary general Kereyn Smith and board member Rosemary Nye (Winter Games Selector).

"The members of the 2016 selection panel have significant experience in high performance sport and an in-depth understanding of the complexities of qualification and selection," said Stanley. "We are especially pleased to welcome a non-standing board member to the panel. We know Mike will bring a considered perspective from outside the New Zealand Olympic Committee board."

Stanley said typically selectors had been appointed from within the board but expressions of interest were sought from the wider sports community for the first time.

Planning is also under way to appoint a new staff member to focus on selection within the NZOC.

The proposed appointment will provide additional resource throughout the qualification, nomination and selection process, supporting both the selectors and National Sporting Organisations.

"Selection is complex and we are confident the additional resource will assist under-resourced sports in the build-up to games," said Stanley. "It's about making sure our athletes have the best processes in place to support them as they strive for selection at Olympic and Commonwealth Games."

- © Fairfax NZ News