Top position for athletics stalwart | Manawatu-Wanganui News | Local News in Manawatu-Wanganui

The efforts of Wanganui athletics guru Alec McNab have been recognised with his appointment as president of New Zealand's governing body.

Mr McNab has been at the hub of Wanganui athletics for about 40 years after arriving from his homeland Scotland in 1973 and while his latest appointment as president of Athletics New Zealand is largely an honorary position, he was humbled by the announcement.

"The presidency is an honorary position but it is a real honour to be voted in by your peers and the sport - I'm humbled, especially not being Kiwi-born. I might be Scottish-born, but I support New Zealand in almost everything, except when the Kiwis play Scotland," Mr McNab said.

"Athletics New Zealand is the governing body of all New Zealand athletics and it's great to be involved at that level, but I don't even get a vote at the AGM and no, I don't get to go to the London Olympics, unfortunately."

He will, however, have support in the role from Athletics New Zealand chief executive Scott Newman, an exceptionally talented athlete he coached at Wanganui Collegiate.

Mr McNab has previous experience as a board member of Athletics New Zealand but his major focus over the years has been at secondary school and club level in Wanganui and nationwide.

Not long after arriving in Wanganui, Mr McNab was named head of sport and athletics coach at Wanganui Collegiate. His skill and influence in athletics circles promoted him to national level and for years he has been a mentor and selector for New Zealand secondary school teams. He has also been president of the Wanganui Athletic Club for the past six years after a 20-year stint as chairman.

He regards himself as a nurseryman, nurturing young athletes and providing the platform for them to reach their potential in later life.

"My philosophy is to never rush young athletes. I prefer to let them find their level early on and then work on their mindset. Many talented athletes don't realise just how talented they are. I like to think I help them believe in themselves."

His commitment was recognised in 2009 with a Queen's Service Medal.

THE ALEC McNAB FILE

Name: Alec McNab.

Born: Glasgow, 1948.

Job: Head of sport, Wanganui Collegiate, athletics coach.

Educated: HMS Conway, North Wales; Loughborough Colleges.

In New Zealand:
Joined Wanganui Collegiate staff January 1973.

Achievements: Coach-manager for all New Zealand Schools Championships (32) and cross-country teams; took Collegiate teams to Australia in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2004.

For Wanganui Athletic Club:
Committee since 1976.

Chairman for 20 years; currently president.

Meeting manager for two New Zealand Champs, one New Zealand Secondary Schools Champs; three North Island Secondary Schools Champs; two National League finals; and one New Zealand multi-events championship.

Life member 2005.

For New Zealand Secondary Schools:
Chairman 5 years; selector 1981-2003; assistant manager-coach New Zealand Secondary Schools cross-country to Tasmania 1981; manager boys at world champs Czech Republic 2008 and girls in Slovakia 2010. Life member 2000.

Athletics New Zealand:
Level three middle distance coach 1981.

Australian Champs as manager-assistant manager 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003.

World juniors coach 1992; manager 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000.

Oceania World Cup, assistant manager 2004.

President 2011.

New Zealand Development tour of Europe, manager-coach 1999.

In Wanganui:
Coach of the Year twice; Administrator of the Year once.