27th November 2007

North East Coach Wins Top Regional Award

 

 

27 November 2007

 

John Stephenson, a level 4 endurance coach at Gateshead Harriers & A.C., won ‘Coach of the Year’ last night at the Sport England/BBC North Eastern Regional Awards.

 

John has been coaching at the club for over 30 years and has worked with many former international athletes. This year he coached Alan Buckley to the GB World Cross Team and helped Ross Murray to the top of the UKA Power of Ten under 17 rankings at 1500m and 3000m and 3rd at 800m. Ross has also extinguished Mo Farah’s 3000m Young Athletes League record, as well as winning English Schools golds in cross country and track this year.

 

The award, in which John was short listed alongside Geoff Cook professional coach of the successful Durham County Cricket Club, was open to any coach, amateur or professional, from any sport in the North East.

 

At the same awards Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson received the Jackie Milburn Award and was made a member of the North East Hall of Fame for her outstanding contribution to sport.