Finn Anderson - Canoe Slalom

Finn is an up-and-coming athlete from Tauranga. This year, he is preparing and training for the World Cup season, which begins in June in Spain, and the World Championship in October.

When he’s not training, Finn works as a raft guide at Vector Wero in Auckland and coaches several younger athletes.

Goals for 2025 & Beyond

• To compete at his first Senior World Championships in Australia in 2025.

• To achieve a top 20 finish at the U23 World Championships in France.

• To make a semifinal at a World Cup in 2025.

• To qualify for the 2028 Olympics.

Track Finn Anderson progress via his social here

Cole Schmidt - Water Polo

Hamilton Boys’ High School’s Cole Schmidt is making waves as a goalkeeper for school, Waikato, and New Zealand. In 2023, he played at two World Champs (U16 in Malta and U18 in Argentina). This year, he’s led HBHS to silver at NISS and 4th at Nationals — earning MVP at both events. With a silver at the U18 Nationals for Waikato, Cole’s dedication in and out of the pool marks him as a future international standout.

Shamar Broughton – Basketball

At just 16, Shamar Broughton is emerging as one of New Zealand’s brightest basketball talents. The Mount Maunganui College student was named MVP at the 2024 U16 National Championships and is a consistent starter across national age-group teams. A strong defender and skilled scorer, she represents the Tauranga Basketball Association and is in contention for the 2026 Youth Olympics 3x3 team.

Charis Broughton – Basketball

Twin sister to Shamar, Charis Broughton is making her mark as one of New Zealand’s top young long-range shooters. A Year 12 student at Mount Maunganui College, Charis was MVP at the 2025 Secondary Schools 3x3 Nationals and starred for NZ at the 2024 FIBA Oceania Cup. With strong leadership and scoring ability, she’s a rising force in New Zealand women’s basketball.

Madeleine Waddell – Athletics

At 17, Madeleine Waddell is smashing records and rising fast in New Zealand athletics. The St Peter’s School, Cambridge student set U17 and U18 400m records at the 2024 World U20 Champs and claimed her first senior national title in 2025 with a time of 52.62s — now ranking her 6th all-time in NZ. She also helped set a national 4x400m relay record and is a strong Commonwealth Games contender.

Ollie Guerin – Rugby

Ollie Guerin, a Year 13 student at Hamilton Boys’ High School, is one of New Zealand’s most promising rugby prospects. A standout in the Waikato region and NZ Secondary Schools representative, he is known for his powerful running, defensive strength, and on-field leadership. With eyes on the Chiefs development pathway, Ollie is seen as a future professional — and possible All Black.

Julian David – Speed Climbing

At 20, Tauranga’s Julian David is New Zealand’s fastest speed climber and a rising star on the world stage. He made history in 2023 by winning gold at the Youth World Championships in Seoul and later qualified for the 2024 Olympics, reaching the quarterfinals. Julian has since set a New Zealand and Oceania record of 5.16 seconds and was named the 2024 Halberg Emerging Talent Award winner. With explosive power, elite focus, and 27,000 Instagram followers, he is one of the top climbers to watch on the 2025 IFSC World Cup circuit.