Programme Overview
This High Performance Programme has two key focus points:
- To support the development on NZ’s top competition Skateboarders towards winning World Championship and Olympic Games medals.
- To provide opportunities for the development of young skateboarders who may impact our first goal in the future.
Programme Overview
What is the High Performance team?
The SBNZ High Performance team consists of New Zealand’s elite targeted coaches and skateboarders competing at the highest tiers of international competition. Operating within a ring-fenced development pathway funded by HPSNZ and under the guidance of our High Performance management and specialised coaching networks, our NZ athletes are provided with tailored campaign planning, elite training environments, and international travel support to successfully navigate World Skate rankings and Olympic selection protocols.
SBNZ are always on the look out for great skateboarders who not only skate well, but also compete well and understand how to win competitions. We’re looking for skateboarders who have shown an ability to perform consistently well in competition or who have an outstanding talent and want to learn to compete internationally.
High Performance Culture (Who we want to be)
The SBNZ High Performance (HP) Culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, support, and honest communication, aiming to help individuals achieve their dreams. The program focuses on building strong relationships, guiding skaters to own their campaigns, supporting individual performance needs, and providing clear communication regarding funding, selection, opportunities, and program operations.
Programme Funding
Our funding primarily comes from the support of High Performance Sport NZ (HPSNZ). HPSNZ have a clear goal of winning medals at the Olympic Games and attribute their funding across sports with direct relation to a sports ability to achieve these goals.
We also attain funding at different times through IOC Olympic Solidarity and the NZ Olympic Committee. This goes towards specific projects.
Due to the limited funding and the requirements of how we can use our funding, our primary role is to support our top few skateboarders who are deemed closest to possibly winning medals in the current Olympic cycle, based on International competition results.
How does funding work?
In very simple terms, a sport that has more successful athletes, will receive greater funding. HPSNZ divides sports into categories related to those who consistently win multiples medals (podium sports) and those that don’t (aspirational sports). Skateboarding is currently considered an aspirational sport. Whilst we currently focus on only a few skateboarders, as these skateboarders become more successful, the whole programme will benefit. As such, whilst our programme is currently very small and focused, we have an amazing opportunity to grow as our skateboarders achieve further success.
2025-2026 High Performance Support Structure
Important; All of the support listed in the below document is directly related to the level of SBNZ High Performance funding received.
SBNZ High Performance Coaching
The SBNZ High Performance Programme places high priority on HP Coaching, including the identification and development of HP Coaches. Our HP Programme aims to support the unique needs of each individual skateboarder to further their success. Our coaches play a significant role in this process and as such, every effort is made to ensure the right fit of coaches and coaching style to support the skateboarder.
Selection for WSK International Events
We have a process for selecting NZ skateboarders who wish to attend world skate events. Details on this process can be found below.
Olympic Games Selection
The Olympic Games currently has the events Men’s Street, Women’s Street, Men’s Park and Women’s Park.
Selection for the Olympic Games is handled by the NZ Olympic Committee (NZOC). SBNZ is required to nominate skateboarder nominees to the NZOC for possible selection to the Olympic Games. Prior to nomination or selection to the Olympic Games, skateboarders must win a ‘country quota spot’ for NZ. These spots are won by competing in nominated World Skate events, in the 18 months to 2 years prior to the Olympic Games.
The rules and events to win a ‘country quota spot’ are typically published 2-2.5 years before the Olympic Games. The last Olympic Games allowed for 22 skateboarders per event with a maximum of 3 skateboarders per country, per event. To qualify, a skateboarder needed to be in the top 22 on the World Skate Skateboard Rankings at the end of the qualification period.
The NZOC 2028 Olympic Selection Policy is yet to be created. The IOC and World Skate Qualification process currently is yet to be determined. The SBNZ 2028 Olympic Nomination Policy shall be written and published after the previous two items, expected around 2027.
Want to get involved?
Start competing in local competitions – especially the NZ National Championships. Look for a training group of people with similar goals or dedication; and make yourself known to the High Performance Director.
Ian Neely – ian@skateboarding.nz