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The New Zealand Olympic Committee has today confirmed 34 Olympians from around the country as Olympic Ambassadors for 2017.

The Ambassadors are set to build on and share their personal achievements and inspiring stories with young New Zealanders right across the country and, in sharing their stories, they share with Kiwi kids the importance of living the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect. Through interactive presentations the Ambassadors encourage participation in sport and striving for excellence in every aspect of life and all the while seeking to be the best they can.

They will work mainly in primary and intermediate schools with children primarily in the 8-13 year-old bracket. In sharing their personal Olympic story with New Zealand school children and focusing both on the success and on the highs and lows that came with striving to become an Olympian, the Ambassadors provide a strong platform of inspiration for the students. 

Each Ambassador was selected as they are seen as highly positive role-models and New Zealand Olympians who have achieved one of the highest honours in sport while living according to these values.

Over the course of 2017 several hundred school visits are set to take place, reaching out to thousands of young New Zealanders and allowing future generations of young New Zealanders to engage with their Olympic role models. At the close of the 2016 Olympic Year, over 86% of New Zealand Primary Schools had registered to access the Olympic Education resources and over 7,000 teachers from across the country were utilising the online resources.

 

The 2017 New Zealand Olympic Ambassadors are:

Suzie Bates Otago Basketball
Rebecca Brothers Northland Swimming
Sarah Cowley-Ross Waikato Athletics
Siona Fernandes Auckland Boxing
Emily Gaddum Hawkes Bay Hockey
Katie Glynn Auckland Hockey
Natasha Hansen Waikato Cycling
Robbie Johnston Otago Athletics
Jaimee Lovett Auckland Kayak
Brooke Neal Auckland Hockey
Richie Patterson Auckland Weightlifting
Natalie Rooney Canterbury Shooting
Peter Taylor Wellington Rowing
Ruby Tui Bay of Plenty Rugby 7s
Kayla Whitelock Manawatu Hockey
Genevieve Behrent Waikato Rowing
Nicky Coles Canterbury Rowing
Mike Dawson  Bay of Plenty Canoe Slalom
Gemma Flynn Canterbury Hockey
Sarah Goss Bay of Plenty Rugby 7s
Nikki Hamblin Waikato Athletics
Melissa Ingram Auckland Swimming
Luuka Jones Bay of Plenty Canoe Slalom
Stacey Michelsen Auckland Hockey
Aaron Orangi  Canterbury Bobsled
Matt Randall Southland Cycling
Rebecca Scown Waikato Rowing
Heelan Tompkins Rotorua Equestrian
Jade Uru Auckland Rowing
Paora Winitana Hawkes Bay Basketball
Joseph Sullivan Auckland Rowing
Shea McAleese Auckland Hockey
Barbara Kendall Northland Windsurfing
Alison Shanks Waikato Cycling

 

 

More information on New Zealand Olympic Education and the Olympic Ambassador Programme can be found here.

Aaron Orangi Sarah Hirini Ruby Tui Brooke Hayde Jaimee Lovett Siona Fernandes Genevieve Macky Natasha Hansen Nikki Hamblin Jade Uru Luuka Jones Peter Taylor Joseph Sullivan Rebecca Scown Suzie Bates Gemma McCaw Stacey Michelsen Katie Glynn Natalie Rooney Sarah Cowley Ross Alison Shanks Shea McAleese Mike Dawson Richie Patterson Melissa Ingram Robbie Johnston Paora Winitana Kayla Whitelock Emily Gaddum Rebecca Linton Matthew Randall Heelan Tompkins Nicola Austin Barbara Kendall
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