Badminton: Siblings named in Commonwealth Games team

Oliver Leydon-Davis and Susannah Leydon-Davis. Photo / Getty

Siblings Oliver and Susannah Leydon-Davis will join forces for the New Zealand badminton team at this year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, taking part in the mixed doubles event.

As the only two Kiwis in the badminton stakes, the Leydon-Davises will carry New Zealand's medal hopes on their shoulders but have plenty of pedigree.

The pairing came in 17th at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014 and went on to finish second in last year's US International Challenge.

Oliver - the older sibling at 27 - is currently based in Denmark, while the 25-year-old Susannah lives in the pair's home town of Hamilton.

They first competed as a mixed doubles team in 2012.

"It's pretty special being able to tour together but, like any partnership, you need to work to build it," Susannah said.

"We just finished another tour on the circuit leading up to Christmas and it's quite special being able to share these experiences."

The Leydon-Davises will take part in this week's North Harbour International event before heading home to Hamilton for next weekend's Oceania Championships.

Oliver labelled his third Commonwealth Games selection a career highlight, while Badminton New Zealand chief Joe Hitchcock was chuffed for the players.

"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," Hitchcock said.

The Leydon-Davises' selection takes New Zealand's Games team to 75.