KEY POINTS:
Nearly 140 young New Zealanders were today named to compete in next year's Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
Current Olympians such as rower Emma Twigg, triathlete Debbie Tanner and swimmers Lauren Boyle, Daniel Bell, Glen Snyders boosted their early careers at the event.
The New Zealand team includes a 22-strong track and field contingent, and competitors in a wide range of sports such as canoeing, equestrian, swimming, basketball, cycling, shooting and fencing.
More than 20 nations, including Japan, the United States, Denmark and Great Britain will compete in Sydney during the five-day festival, which begins on January 14.
Additional athletes will be named after rowing and diving national trials next month, boosting the New Zealand team to 163 athletes across 14 sports.
- NZPA
