The New Zealand Olympic Committee together with Badminton New Zealand has named Oliver and Susannah Leydon-Davis to the New Zealand Team for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The brother-sister duo will compete together in the mixed doubles event. The pair played together at Glasgow 2014, placing 17th. Oliver also competed at Delhi 2010, placing 5th in the men’s doubles. The siblings also secured an impressive second placing at the 2017 US International Challenge.
The pair grew up in Hamilton where they were introduced to the sport at the local junior club by their mother, who also played.
“Oliver joined the Hamilton junior club, and it wasn't long before being on the sidelines watching him was a thing of the past for me. We both progressed through the junior squads here at Waikato, before representing the New Zealand team both as juniors and at senior events,” said Susannah.
Above: The pair competing at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Although both competing on the same tour the siblings didn’t end up combining in mixed doubles until 2012, ahead of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“It’s pretty special being able to tour together but like any partnership you need to work to build it. We just finished another tour on the circuit leading up to Christmas and it’s quite special being able to share these experiences as brother and sister,” said 25 year old Susannah.
Oliver is the older of the pair (27 years) and is based in Denmark where he plays professionally for the Hojbjerg Club. He has just won the 2018 Swedish International and says representing New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games is a career highlight.
"To have the opportunity to compete for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games is something I dreamed about as a kid."
"I'm look forward to competing knowing I’ve done everything I can throughout my career to put in the best possible performance at the Games," he said.
Above: Oliver Leydon-Davis
Badminton New Zealand CEO Joe Hitchcock says the siblings are an asset to the sport in New Zealand.
“Oliver and Susannah make us proud both on and off the court. How they portray badminton and represent our sport is really special to us,” he said.
“The history that they have competing internationally and the strength of their partnership leading towards the Commonwealth Games is exciting and we can’t wait to see them compete there.”
NZOC CEO Kereyn Smith extended her congratulations to the pair.
“It’s great to have both Oliver and Susannah back in the team for another Commonwealth Games. The pair are at the pinnacle of their sport in New Zealand so it’ll be great to see them take on the best the Commonwealth has to offer on the Gold Coast,” she said.
Oliver and Susannah this week compete in the North Harbour International before playing together at the Oceania’s at home in Hamilton next week.
The naming of the athletes takes the current number of athletes selected to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games to 75.
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