23 Nov 2023 – The NZ Olympic Committee has confirmed the four young curlers who will represent New Zealand at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in South Korea early next year.

Jed Nevill, Olivia Russell, Jack Steele and Ellie McKenzie have been named to the NZ Team for the Games. All four will compete in the Mixed Team Event, with Jed and Olivia to also compete in the Mixed Doubles.

The athletes are all from Otago, with Olivia (17), Jack (16) and Jed (17) all from the curling hotspot of Maniototo, while Ellie (17) hails from Dunedin.

The squad has been busy preparing for the Games, spending countless hours on ice at the Naseby Indoor Curling Rink.

"I'm on the ice at least 5 days a week, training as much as possible," said Olivia Russell.

"I can't wait to get to the Winter Youth Olympics, we're ready to perform and it's going to be an amazing experience."

The four athletes head into the Games brimming with confidence after attending a World Curling Academy youth training programme in Norway in August.

"My whole curling technique completely changed, we learnt so much over there and I'm really excited to put that into practice in Gangwon," said Jack Steele.

"Ever since I was 13 I wanted to do this, it's pretty crazy that it's happening, it's a real dream come true."

Jed and Olivia will also represent New Zealand at the World Junior B's in Finland in December, further adding to their international experience pre Winter Youth Olympics.

NZ Olympic Committee CEO Nicki Nicol extended her congratulations to the curlers.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for these young athletes and we're really pleased to have them selected to the New Zealand Team. We wish them all the best as they represent their community and New Zealand in South Korea next year."

The team will be coached by Bridget Becker, who has over 200 international games under her belt as a player. Bella Stewart (Dunedin) and William Day (Auckland) have been selected as non-travelling reserves.

• NZ record at Winter Youth Olympis – Mixed
• NZ record at Winter Youth Olympics – Mixed Doubles
   

About the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games

Gangwon 2024 will be a celebration of sport, competition, culture and education, with the Games being held in the Gangwon Province (across 4 cities - Gangneung, Pyeongchang, Jeongseon, and Hoengseong) of South Korea.

The Games will run January 19 - February 1 and will welcome almost 2000 young athletes (aged between 14 and 18 years old) from around the world to compete in 7 sports, 15 disciplines and 81 events.

New Zealand is expected to be represented by around 20 athletes at Gangwon with athletes working towards selection in biathlon, curling, luge and ice figure skating. Twelve snow sports athletes have already been named to the team.

Gangwon 2024 aims to build upon the Olympic Games legacy, using many of the existing venues from the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The aim is to ensure a cost efficient and sustainable Youth Olympic Games, while at the same time providing young athletes the opportunity to compete in some of the same sites as Olympians did a few years ago.

Images © NZOC