How satisfying it must be for all those involved in the Bike Manawatu Schools Cycling to get the stellar results across all grades last weekend in Cambridge at the North island Secondary Schools Cycling Championships.
Congratulations to the riders, their parents and supporters, the teaching staff, coaches and the organisers of schools riding in this region.
The names of all our successful riders are too many to mention for fear of leaving out one of our young stars. But what is most encouraging was the names of “ new stars” appearing on the winner’s rostrum and the fact that so many of our riders filled the top places in what were very big fields, in excess of 80 riders in most cases.
The Under 15 boys were exceptional. I have to mention this grade. The results of this race were staggering and beyond belief for the PNBHS team.
And for PNBHS to win the trophy for overall school by such a commanding margin…….daylight was second……or was that Mr O’Connor’s new school from Auckland ?
The National Schools Championships are to be held here in Levin and Feilding in the third term. Our schools are really looking strong for a swag of national titles and placings. Keep up the good work.
It just goes to show, how a balanced well thought out structure that provides good hard competitive racing for all ages and abilities over a dedicated season, can yield the rewards.
The challenge for Bike Manawatu is now to have a clear pathway for these young riders and to retain them in the sport and the senior riding ranks when they reach adulthood. Clearly competitive cycling , and success at regional and national level is an important aspect of a successful club. We need to emulate the results being achieved at junior level at the senior level, by also having a structure and programme that encourages and attracts riders to race competitively.
The Board has a vision and ideas around how this might be achieved.
The future is looking bright.
Paul van Velthooven
Chairman