MBC rowing coach has sights set on Maadi Cup eight

When Bill Campbell came back as coach at the Blenheim Rowing Club last season, he began building a squad virtually from scratch, but with a goal in mind.

That goal was to win the Maadi Cup under-18 eight title. Campbell didn't enter a crew in Saturday's Maadi Cup final, but by winning three gold and four silver medals showed he is very much on track toward building a winning under-18 eight for next season.

A fiercely competitive coach, he had every reason to be pleased and proud of his team's achievements in Saturday's finals. "There's a little bit to go yet. MBC has never won a Maadi Cup or a Springboks Four, so that's our goal."

The regatta provided an emotional return to the medal dais for the former New Zealand coach. The last time he was up there was in the late 1980s when his late daughter, Donna, featured in winning Marlborough Girls' College Dawn Cup and Levin Jubilee Cup crews. He admitted later that he felt the emotion and was sure his daughter was looking after him on Saturday.

Campbell hasn't coached New Zealand crews for many years, but on Saturday night, at least one Rowing New Zealand official made inquiries about his future availability, although the former publican and top racehorse owner said his rowing focus this time is with Blenheim and Marlborough Boys' College.

A special guest at the regatta on finals day was college principal Wayne Hegarty. He revelled in the boys' success and accompanied them up on the medal dais.

Hegarty praised the efforts of the coaches and the Blenheim Rowing Club for providing the boys with the opportunity to row. He added: "It's been a great experience for me. The first time I've been down here for a Maadi Cup. Things like this are a culture. You have to develop a culture to do things like this and that's what the rowing club is providing our boys with the opportunity to do."

- The Marlborough Express