The first track and field athletes to represent New Zealand at this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have been named, with shot put star Valerie Adams, middle distance runner Nick Willis and javelin thrower Stuart Farquhar heading the list.
Between them, the athletes hold three gold, two silver and one bronze from previous Commonwealth Games, and two gold and one silver from Olympic Games.
High jumper Sarah Cowley also has plenty of experience after competing in the London 2012 Olympics and the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games in the heptathlon. Cowley is the latest athlete to achieve the standard, jumping 1.89 metres to finish second at the Australian championships over the weekend.
The other seven athletes named will all be attending their first Games, with shot putters Tom Walsh and Jacko Gill forming a dynamic duo with realistic chances at medals.
The selection also includes African-based distance runners Zane and Jake Robertson, who both compete in the 5000 metres, 800 metre runner Angie Smit, hammer thrower Julia Ratcliffe and discus thrower Siositina Hakeai.
The team is expected to be made up of around 200 athletes competing in 17 sports. The national swimming team will be named Friday evening, with lawn bowls, bike and triathlon announced the following week.
The Commonwealth Games take place from the 23rd of July to the 3rd of August in Glasgow, Scotland.
