Begg gets two life awards
Timaru speed skating guru Bill Begg has honoured with two life memberships within a week.
The first was when the South Canterbury Rollers Sports Club gave one to Bill and his wife Cheryl for their amazing services.
Seven days later the New Zealand Federation of Roller Sports also honoured the 70-yearold Bill.
The Beggs have been a key component of the revival of speed skating in Timaru, dedicating countless hours to coaching and supplying the vision for a new track and clubrooms.
Bill Begg started his career in Timaru and has spent his life dedicated to the sport.
His CV is impressive having attended 40 world championships in some official capacity.
Begg’s incredible tally started as a 26-year-old competitor in Argentina in 1975, having been a relative latecomer to the sport, having taken it up at 17.
He competed at three world championships before switching to coaching, something that earned him international fame.
This year he was the New Zealand team coach for the 10th time, having also coached six other countries at the world championships.
Begg said there had been many highlights, including coaching 11 skaters who have won 17 world titles, including his wife and daughter Nicole.
Always matter of fact Begg states ‘‘I’ve done that much stuff over the years, not easy to remember.’’
He is also keen to look for any slight advantage for his charges, Begg was the first speed skating coach in Australia to earn an Associate Diploma Applied Science (Sports).
‘‘You are never too old to learn, you should always take advantage of other people’s knowledge.’’
His passion and drive still has him looking for the next Kiwi world champion.
The Beggs returned to Bill’s home town Timaru in 2009 to reinvigorate the local scene and they immediately had youngsters turning up at the dilapidated track.
Never one to stand still, the passionate coach soon turned their attention to a new surface, with the help of some very enthusiastic parents and the club not only boasts a new track but new clubrooms as well.
Bill Begg said he was