Southland athletes bound for Fiji
Winton athletes Carlie Scherp and Connor Gilliland are stoked to be donning the black singlet next month.
The duo are part of a large NZ contingent heading to Fiji to compete in the Oceania Athletics Championships from June 1 to 8.
New Zealand is taking some experienced athletes, with Paris Olympic selections Imogen Ayris, Lauren Bruce, Zoe Hobbs and Gore’s Tori Peeters part of the senior women’s team.
The most well-known name in the men’s team is sprinter Tiaan Whelpton.
Gilliland, in the under-18 boys, is set to compete in the long jump, triple jump, 110m hurdles and decathlon, while Scherp is doing hammer, discus and shot put in the under-18 girls section.
The Southland Girls’ High School pupil is incredibly excited to be part of such an opportunity.
“It’s going to be an amazing trip, I am so looking forward to it.”
For Central Southland College’s Gilliland, it’s his first trip out of New Zealand, so he’s primed to get stuck in over there.
“I have never left New Zealand. I expect it to be warm over there but I am excited,” he said. “It’s going to be a great opportunity to compete against quality athletes in conditions I am not used to, so it will be a good test.The heat and humidity will be a challenge and the competition will be very hard. It will be a lot different to over here.”
To help cater for the heat, Gilliland has been doing plenty of training with hoodies and track pants on to help him prepare. As expected, the Australians will likely be the toughest opposition and Scherp is keeping her expectations limited.
“I am just going to try soak it all in
“It’s pretty cool being from Southland and being able to be selected for something like this.” Carlie Scherp
“I want to enjoy it, get a new personal best and a good placing – that is my challenge.”
Connor Gilliland
and if I can get a personal best [PB] over there I will be incredibly happy. It’s pretty cool being from Southland and being able to be selected for something like this.” she said.
“I would love to go over there and perform because it is going to be such an overwhelming environment that if I can get a PB and perform well then I will be absolutely chuffed.
“To walk away with anything else would be the cherry on top.”
Gilliland said the chance to compete at something like this was an incredible opportunity.
“I want to enjoy it, get a new personal best and a good placing – that is my challenge.”
Scherp recently attended the Australian Championships and finished fourth in one of her events.
“I am really happy with that against tough competition,” she said.
The duo, who have done athletics since they were little, are also part of the new Southland Sport Academy intake for 2024.
“I love getting to meet new people and travel to places. I am getting to go to Fiji and I have just been to Australia. It’s a great way to create memories,” Scherp said.
“I like how it is all about yourself. If I perform well it is on me, if I perform badly it is on me. You are not relying on other team-mates, it is all about yourself,” Gilliland said.
New Zealand selection is definitely a highlight for both.
“My coach Lance [Smith] has been a big inspiration really to keep going and keep pushing,” Gilliland said.
They leave for Suva on May 31 and return to New Zealand on June 9.