30 November 2011

Athletics was a triple-winner at yesterday’s prestigious 2011 UK Coaching Awards, hosted by sports coach UK with three high profile honours going to the nation’s favourite Olympic sport.

To start with, four decades of coaching success were recognised when Bath university-based coach Malcolm Arnold was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

This year was another one of multi-podium finishes for Malcolm’s athletes. This summer Dai Greene added the World 400m Hurdles gold medal to his European and Commonwealth crowns. The Welshman’s victory took the tally of major medals won by Arnold’s athletes, who have also included Colin Jackson and Jason Gardener, to over 65.

Arnold was then part recipient of another award when he was named as one of four coaches of Dai Greene to receive the Coaching Chain Award, presented to coaches who have made a contribution to the development and success of an athlete. The other coaches in the chain were Wynford Leyshon, Darrell Maynard and Benke Blomkvist.

Finally, UKA and England Athletics were named Governing Body of the Year in recognition of the ‘comprehensive, researched, innovative and joined-up approach to the development of a cohesive, well functioning coaching system.’

UKA Head of Coaching Kevin Tyler said:

“A heart felt thanks goes out to everyone in the organisation for supporting the efforts of our award winners.

“These awards are the culmination of the positive working relationship and team working across the coaching structure between UK Athletics and England Athletics and it is great to be recognised by Sportscoach in this way.

“2011 has truly been a great year for athletics both on track and in terms of supporting coaching structures, here’s to an even better 2012.”

Overall 2011 UK Coaching Awards Winners

UK Coach of the Year: Andy Flower (Cricket)

High-performance Coach of the Year: Andy Flower (Cricket)

Lifetime Achievement Award: Malcolm Arnold (Athletics)

Special Lifetime Achievement Award: Graham Dilley (Cricket)

Coaching Chain Award: Coaches of Dai Greene

Performance Development Coach of the Year: Oli Woodcock (Windsurfing)

Participation Coach of the Year – supported by sportscotland: Michael Simpson (Judo)

Heather Crouch Young Coach of the Year: Stephanie Gill (Archery)

Children’s Coach of the Year –supported by John Lewis Partnership in Sport: Mike Avis (Rugby Union)

Governing Body of the Year: UK Athletics/England Athletics

Coach Educator of the Year – supported by Coachwise: Anita Navin (Netball)

Coaching Intervention of the Year: AEGON Schools Tennis Programme