Isn’t it great to be back climbing into the kilometres for the summer season of cycling.
So many events to choose from up and down the country and of course Taupo is looming large at the end of the month. Good luck for all our club members and potential club members as they prepare for what will be for many the biggest ride of the year….and a little luck is worth a tonne of hard work….but you still need to do the hard work!
Last Friday a number of our Board accepted invitations to attend the Property Brokers Grass Roots Award evening at the Manawatu Golf Club. Having never attended the evening before I was somewhat gob smacked at the numbers present ….there looked to be over 300 people representing clubs from all possible activities and codes from right across the Sport Manawatu region.
And then the surprise and excitement mounted as Bike Manawatu was nominated for awards across several areas and there I thought the evening was a relax , learn and enjoy type night. It certainly was enjoyable but there was too much tension to relax!
Our club won the best presented award through its marketing , newsletters , uniform and website. Nominations were also gained in Best Event(FFoC) and in the best fundraising initiative category.
Then the overall Club of Year was announced……Bike Manawatu….outstanding!!
You can rest assured that the diverse and motivated group from this region put together the absolute best bid possible to try to secure the NZ Cycling Centre of Excellence at Massey. We knew it to be the best bid….and we were fully funded! Unfortunately there were bigger forces at play which we were not able to compete with or control. As the fellow from Christchurch cycling said earlier on in the process….” the goal posts weren’t moved, they were kicked down…”, and on more than one occasion. I know what he fells like. I could write a book.
There have been many twists and turns. We remained patient, hoping that good sense and good process would prevail. Cest la vie.
Today is the 1st of September. Where did last month go? So much has happened and there is so much more on the horizon.
We had another very successful Feilding Festival of Cycling last weekend. The weather was kind to us and although entries were slow at first ,they did pick up and the organising team were well pleased with the final outcome. This event can only get better. There were many very favourable comments made by out of town riders about the organisation and nature of the event. Spread the word!
Jesse Sergent has really been flying the Manawatu flag of late, scoring some very impressive results on major stage races in Europe. Look out for much bigger things from Jesse in the future. He is really trucking by all accounts . Good luck for the World Champs Jesse.We look forward to having you home for a period at the end of the year.
This Monday evening, ( 25th July) the Bike Manawatu coaching group led by Mike McRedmond and Steve Stannard will be conducting a coaching seminar at the Marist Clubrooms starting at 7.00pm.
All club members are invited including, and especially parents, partners and friends. This is an opportunity to listen to the vast experience and knowledge we are fortunate to have in our club. This first session will be largely introductory, with Mike and Steve to outline their thoughts on what makes a good coach, the importance of communication and working relationships, and some of the elementary aspects of successful coaching.
The evening will be targeting potential new coaches, all riders and also the role of parents.
This session will be the first of many to help you with both your coaching and your riding, competitive or not. It is not to be missed.
A successful club is very dependant on having a sound coaching structure that is well understood by all, well spread, relevant to all it’s members, adhered to, and held within a framework that allows for succession and growth.
Your support on Monday night is very important.
Paul van Velthooven