Van Velthooven: A big future for Stewart

Young Manawatu track cycling star Campbell Stewart had a ringing endorsement after his amazing haul at the junior world championships last week.

Stewart won two gold medals and a silver at the event in Switzerland, having won two world titles at Kazakhstan last year too.

Manawatu sprinter Simon van Velthooven, who has won medals at two Commonwealth Games and an Olympics, believes Stewart is a certainty to ride at the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast. about 60 years since he left Queen Elizabeth College when he was about 16.

He played through the grades, including the senior As, coached, managed, was involved with administration, and he was still going to watch when he could.

Coach in Canada

Manawatu’s Campbell Macneill has popped up coaching women’s rugby in Canada.

Macneill, who was the Manawatu Cyclones assistant coach last year and has worked with the Kia Toa women, has been coaching the Toronto Nomads since April and has also been doing development work in schools. The Nomads play in the Toronto Rugby Union.

Manawatu man helps

Former Manawatu midfielder Craig Gowler is on the verge of helping Napier Old Boys-marist break their Hawke’s Bay club rugby drought.

Gowler is coaching Napier Old Boysmarist, who qualified for next weekend’s final against Taradale with an 18-16 win over Havelock North in Saturday’s semifinals.

NOBM have lost one game this season, but have not won the title since 2002.

Gowler played 43 games for Manawatu from 1992 to 2000.