The Manawatū Cyclones management team is locked in for 2024, with Campbell MacNeill named as Head Coach.

The 36-year-old’s appointment comes after he impressed the interview panel of Interim Chief Executive Shaun Eade, Turbos Head Coach Mike Rogers, Hurricanes Women’s High Performance Manager Toni Young, and senior player and Whanganui Rugby’s Women’s Lead Sosoli Talawadua.

McNeill brings over a decade of experience coaching women’s rugby to the role. He is no stranger to the Manawatū Rugby setup, having served as Assistant Coach of the Cyclones in 2015 and the Manawatū Wahine Development XV last year. MacNeill worked as MRU’s Schools Lead from 2019 to the start of 2023.

MacNeill is currently Head of the Girls Rugby at Feilding High School and has coached the Kia Toa and Massey University Women’s teams in the local club competition. He has also held a number of coaching roles in Canada and Chile.  

Joining MacNeill in the coaching box is Assistant Coach Bryce Grant. Grant is returning for his second year in the role. During the club season, Grant is Assistant Coach of the Old Boys-Marist Senior One team.

Chris Day returns for his third season as Cyclones Manager.

Former Farah Palmer Cup referee Brittany Hill (née Andrew) joins the team as Technical Advisor.

Annalise Early is back for her third year as the team’s Performance Analyst. Early works as Performance Analyst for the Stars in the ANZ Premiership during the netball season.

Strength and Conditioning Coach Geoff Pound returns for his second year with the Cyclones. As well as working with the Cyclones, Pound is Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Manawatū Rugby Academy and the Feilding High School First XV.

MacNeill says he is excited for the challenge ahead and believes he has the right management team around him to support the incredible talent in the province.  

“I’m really encouraged by the large Manawatū representation in the Hurricanes Poua, and that the local club competition is getting stronger each year. We will work closely with the Wahine Development XV and Manawatū Rugby Academy to create depth and competition for places in the squad, whilst building a performance culture that challenges the players both individually and collectively.”

“The ultimate goal is for the Cyclones to be back in the Premiership, but to get there we need to develop a style of play that is true to our players’ strengths. This will form our key focus leading into the season.”

Manawatū Rugby Interim Chief Executive Shaun Eade says a strong group of candidates applied for the position.

“Campbell’s experience in coaching women, his knowledge of the game and his commitment to his craft convinced the panel he was the best person for the job.

“There is no question of the quality of the athletes involved in our Cyclones programme so it was critical to get the appointment of not only the Head Coach, but the full management group, right. We have assembled a group whose skills complement each other. They all align with and understand the culture of the Cyclones programme. While there are changes to the management group, we have managed to ensure some continuity with the Bryce, Chris, Annalise, and Geoff returning from last season and Brittany having been involved in 2021.”

A Developing Coach position has been created for the Cyclones and will be filled closer to the season with a view of helping develop a female coach.

The Manawatū Wahine Development XV coaching staff will be appointed over the next month.

Cyclones Management 2024

Head Coach: Campbell MacNeill

Assistant Coach: Bryce Grant

Developing Coach: TBC

Manager: Chris Day

Technical advisor: Brittany Hill (née Andrew)

Performance Analyst: Annalise Early

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Geoff Pound

Article added: Tuesday 20 February 2024