We’re excited to announce that two skateboarders are representing New Zealand at the World Skateboarding Tour Sharjah (UAE) Street & Park 2023 World Championships that begin later this month.
Competitors at the Sharjah event can gain points towards Paris 2024 Olympics qualification. It is the second qualifying event for Street and the first for Park in this Olympic cycle.
Matt Markland continues his strong campaign
Matt Markland, currently New Zealand’s highest ranking Street skateboarder, will be skating in his third world-class event in under a year. Matt earned a global ranking of 49th from his performance at the Rome World Street Skateboarding event in July 2022. He has recently returned from competing in the STU Open in Rio De Janerio, where he placed 22nd in the Men’s qualifiers.
Matt hails from Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt and resides in Brisbane, Australia.
“Representing New Zealand, especially because of my Māori heritage, is something that I’ve always done with pride and to be able to do it again, this time in Sharjah, will be another experience I’ll cherish for life. I hope I can inspire everyone in Aotearoa to follow their passion and dreams. If a young Māori fella from Wainui can do it, then you can too.”
Jett de Haan to skate for New Zealand
SBNZ is excited to announce that Jett de Haan, a teen shredder based in Sydney, Australia, will represent New Zealand in both the Park and Street disciplines at the Sharjah event.
Thanks to his dual citizenship with Australia (through his dad) and Aotearoa, New Zealand (through his mum), Jett is making the most of both worlds — enjoying what the Australasian skateboard scene has to offer both sides of the Tasman.
After some time in the Australian development programme, Jett has recently decided to ride for New Zealand. Next month’s World Championships will be Jett’s first event of this kind and level and his first representing New Zealand.
“Skating for NZ gives me pride, knowing I’m representing my kiwi heritage, which is a huge thing after losing my kiwi nan, whom I was super close to. It also gives me the opportunity to skate with NZ’s best and help the next gen’ shredders.”
We welcome Jett to the team and wish him and Matt the best of luck for the competition.
Both athletes are self-funding their training and travel to the Sharjah event. SBNZ support them — and all athletes who represent New Zealand — with insurance and entrance fees.
New Zealand Squad
There are 12 spaces available to representatives of New Zealand at the event — 3 female and 3 male in both Park and Street disciplines. Matt and Jett are the only skateboarders on the New Zealand squad to take up the opportunity.
Photo credits
- Image by Connor Hill was used with permission.
Follow Connor Hill on Instagram instagram.com/connor__hill/ - Image by Ben Colvin was used with permission.
Follow Ben on Instagram instagram.com/twiggy_talls/ - Images by Wade McLaughlin were used with permission.
Follow Wade on Instagram instagram.com/wade_mclaughlin
More information
- Follow SBNZ on instagram.com/skateboarding.nz/
- For further info from SBNZ, contact david@skateboarding.nz
- Follow Matt Markland on instagram.com/mattmarkland
- You can support Matt Markland through his GoFundMe page.
- Follow Jett de Haan on instagram.com/jettdehaan
- Read Jett’s introductory interview on skateboarding.nz
- For more about the World Skateboarding Tour Sharjah (UAE) Street & Park 2023 World Championships, visit worldskate.org
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