18/05/10 - Southlanders featured prominently at the annual BikeNZ Road and Track awards ceremony in Christchurch last weekend. The Southland Centre scooped four awards recognising contributions over the last year across a variety of categories.
Cycling Southland’s Road and Track Coach Ross Machejefski was recognised for his efforts in shaping Southland’s domination of the National Track Champs over recent years with the Centre Coach of the Year award. Long-time cycling stalwart Tony Ineson added yet another accolade to his collection with Centre Volunteer of the year while Phil Culling’s work as Tour Director for last year’s Yunca Junior Tour saw him deservedly earn the Small Tour Director award (we are still trying to work out whether they are recognising Phil’s size or the Tour’s size with the “small” reference).
And capping the night was a Southland win in the Faces of Cycling Masters category with Jerard Stock’s work on the bike and as Lead Coach for World Cup winner Tom Scully earning him a national award.
The prestigious Malayan Cup, considered BikeNZ Road and Track’s supreme accolade was awarded to Bike NZ National Track coach Tim Carswell. The cup has been presented since 1959 in recognition of outstanding service to the sport.
Southland also had a hand in the sole life membership ratified at this year’s Bike NZ Road and Track AGM, after nominating Bert McConnell MBE for the honour. Bert is an avid historian who has archived New Zealand cycling history from the turn of the 20th Century. He has attended more cycling world championships than anyone else in the world with a tally of over 75 road, track and junior world championships. He has become the international face of Kiwi cycling overseas.
His incredible contribution to the sport of cycling spans rider to race organiser, bike store owner to New Zealand team manager, club president to Oceania delegate.
Cycling Southland is delighted this fitting accolade has been bestowed upon one of New Zealand cycling’s most deserving recipients.