SBS Southland Academy's 2021 Foundation Year intake, announced at a function at ILT Stadium Southland tonight, is the largest the Academy has selected in its 17-year history. 

Fourteen athletes across nine sports and seven Southland high schools will take their first steps in the two-year programme, which includes support with mental skills, athlete life, nutrition and strength and conditioning through the Mike Piper Training Centre. 

“We are excited about the fact we already know a lot about many of these athletes, as three quarters of all our applicants had already been involved in foundation strength and conditioning training under Tyson Huia at the Mike Piper Training Centre,” SBS Bank Academy Southland manager Jason McKenzie said. 

Advertisement: Creation Signs

Advertise on the Southland App

“It’s interesting to note that a number of our Foundation Year athletes are achieving at a high level across multiple sports, which is pleasing to see given Sport New Zealand’s Balance is Better approach and a move away from early specialisation.” 

The academy's role was becoming even more valuable in supporting athletes with multiple commitments, as well as the uncertain nature of competition due to Covid-19. 

“Hopefully there will be a greater level of certainty in terms of competitions in 2021, but that’s something we are all navigating in our daily lives. Covid-19 had a significant impact on the way we delivered the programme in 2020 and we are looking forward to getting back to some normality, including the combined camp with our Otago counterparts later this year, which is a real highlight.” 

Amongst an eclectic range of sports, this year’s intake includes Menzies College pupil Dean Stewart, who won the two-day schools section at this year’s Coast to Coast.  

Advertisement:

Advertise on the Southland App

Academy Southland and SBS Bank also announced its new partnership to support Southland’s best young sporting talent. 

SBS Bank is the naming rights sponsor for the Academy’s athlete and coaching programmes for the next two years. 

SBS Bank chief executive Shaun Drylie said the organisation was delighted to be on board "and playing our part in helping these young athletes rise to their very best.

"We're impressed by the structure of the programme offering such a wide range of support, focusing not just on performance but teaching key competencies such as understanding nutrition and the importance of looking after their mental health. 

“The Academy supports these young Southlanders to become well-rounded adults, aligning to our own values and our responsibilities to help nurture and educate future generations – it’s a great fit for a Southland bank and the fact that Mike Piper (a visionary leader of Southland sport) was an admired and respected SBS Director makes this partnership all the more special,” Mr Drylie said. 

Mr McKenzie said the partnership was a natural fit as the two organisations shared many of the same values. 

“This is about Southlanders supporting Southlanders to be not just good, but great. We also really like SBS Bank’s people-first approach, as we understand that our Academy athletes are people first and sportspeople second.” 

SBS Bank Academy Southland 2021 Foundation Year intake: 

Tessa Baird, Athletics, Verdon College 

Riley Ballantyne,Touch, Netball, Central Southland College  

Rico Fisher, Athletics, SBHS 

Tia Fowle, Touch, SGHS 

Lucy Hall, Rugby, SGHS 

Aaron Hart, Cricket, SBHS 

Trent Hogg, Athletics   

Laura Jackson, Basketball, James Hargest College 

Ciara Kelly, Cycling, Verdon College 

Ronan Shearing, Cycling, James Hargest College 

Lucy Shirley, Netball, SGHS 

Maddison Tinnock ,Basketball, James Hargest College 

Dean Stewart, Adventure Racing, Menzies College 

Saffron Hare, Football, Gore High School