Paralympian 222 Nicole Murray has had an impressive career so far. Photo: NZ Team
Waipā and King Country connected athletes are on their way to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month.
The 23rd Commonwealth Games will be the Scottish city’s second time hosting the event, after 2014.
Paralympian Devon Briggs is a two-time world champion and 12-time world medallist. Photo: NZ Team
Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Ōtorohanga are the home or origin of a handful of athletes.
Glasgow 2026 marks the first combined New Zealand track cycling team and three para cyclists are involved – Nicole Murray, Emma Foy and Devon Briggs.
Briggs has spent hundreds of hours training at Cambridge’s velodrome and this will be his first games.
He’s excited to represent para sport within the Commonwealth Games movement.
“We’re setting a stepping stone for para sport,” Briggs said. “I think it’s really cool to be part of that.”
Rural Ngāhinapōuri School boasts two alumni there in Foy’s pilot Jessie Hodges and Ōtorohanga-based former Waitomo Caves guide Murray.
Foy and Hodges are preparing for the women’s Tandem B Sprint and Tandem B 1000m time trial.
Murray will compete in the women’s C5 4000m individual pursuit and C5 1000m time trial.
Te Awamutu College also has two former students journeying to Scotland – swimmer Hazel Ouwehand and cyclist Rebecca Petch.
Tokyo Olympian Jessie Hodges is a pilot for Emma Foy. Photo: NZ Team
After the recent birth of her son, Petch returns alongside Ellesse Andrews, Bryony Botha and former St Peter’s student Ally Wollaston who have all been part of Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club at some point.
Andrews and Botha have been strong performers on the track in recent years and lay claim to seven Commonwealth Games medals between them.
“Heading to my second Commonwealth Games next month and this one feels an extra bit special,” Petch said on social media. “It’s been a big team effort and I’m so excited to line up to race again.”
New Zealand national road champion Wollaston leads the women’s endurance squad.
She will get on track in the women’s points race and team pursuit with an option to start in the elimination race and the scratch race.
Andrews is competing in the women’s team sprint, sprint, time trial and keirin, while Botha is in the women’s individual pursuit and team pursuit with an option to start in the points race, elimination race and the scratch race
Petch joins Andrews in the spring team with an option to start in the sprint and keirin.
Butterfly specialist Ouwehand, the only non-cyclist, is aiming for her first Commonwealth medal.
The former Te Pahū School student will compete in the 50m and 100m butterfly events.
Ouwehand is ranked in the top eight in the world across the 50m distance this season.
Bryony Botha has been a strong performer in recent years. Photo: NZ Team
Butterfly specialist Hazel Ouwehand will hope to get her first Commonwealth Games Medal. Photo: NZ Team
Rebecca Petch returns to the track after recently giving birth to her son. Photo: NZ Team
New Zealand National road champion Ally Wollaston will be a top competitor for the Kiwi cohort. Photo: NZ Team
Ellesse Andrews has become a household name in world cycling. Photo: NZ Team
Paralympian 222 Nicole Murray has had an impressive career so far. Photo: NZ Team
