Gwyn Pierce of Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club was the Wigan Borough Coach of the Year for 2000-1.

A joint initiative between the Sports Development Unit of Wigan Council and the Wigan Borough Sports Council, the award recognises and rewards the significant impact made by local coaches.

The award was made by Trevor Brooking, the ex-England soccer star turned TV pundit.

Gwyn won the award in the face of intense competition, attracting the vote of all the judges from within a field of 20 nominees.  The award, in its second year, was made in recognition of Gwyn's dedication over 21 years to the development of his club and swimming in the borough.  During this time he was instrumental in the development of three junior internationals.  Khalid Jhugroo was one of those swimmers who has gone on the represent England at youth level, winning a gold medal earlier that year in an international event in Canada.

In addition to the three internationals many more swimmers have passed through his tuition, going on to district, county and national finals.

He was still responsible for about 120 swimmers yet still found time to act as mentor to other coaches within the club to ensure that the quality at all levels remains high.

In recognition of his achievements Gwyn was presented with an engraved silver salver, items of commemorative clothing together with a framed certificate. He then went forward to the Greater Manchester Coach of the Year award.

Greater Manchester Awards

The Region's best coaches were honoured for their achievements at a glittering ceremony for the Greater Manchester Coach of the Year Awards 2000.

The event, at the new £32million Manchester Aquatic Centre, off Oxford Road, saw 10 borough coaches receive recognition for their tireless work nurturing the North West's young hopefuls and raising the profile of amateur sport.

Olympic running finalist and Commonwealth Games medallist Paula Thomas was on hand to award winning coaches with a commemorative certificate and Coach of the Year 2000 jacket.

She told M.E.N. Sport: "It was very humbling presenting these awards. I enjoy giving something back to coaching.

"I've had the same coach since I was 10. Without his help I don't believe I would have achieved what I have today. He has taught me how to believe in my ability and that you can do whatever you want if you are dedicated enough and set realistic goals.

“Coaches play an integral part in developing sporting stars of the future and should be rewarded for their efforts."

And that's a belief shared by netball coach Maria Kennedy who was named Manchester Coach of the Year.

"I was overjoyed and shocked at the same time to have won an award," said the delighted schoolteacher, from Stanley Grove Primary in Longsight.

"Coaching for me is the satisfaction and smiles you get when the kids know they have done well. I always tell them as long as they do their best then they are always a winner."

"The coaches, in many ways, are the unsung heroes behind sport in the area," said Kath Pemberton, Greater Manchester Coach Development Officer.

"They act as a shoulder to cry on and help instil confidence and self-belief in those young sporting hopefuls out there."

"They deserved to be recognised for their achievements."

Other winning coaches included: Gywn Pierce (Wigan - Swimming & Water Polo), Susan Morrison (Stockport - Tennis), Graham Aitken (Oldham - Rugby League), Janet Ainscow & Teresa Monaghan (Tameside - Netball), Ann-Marie Rawlinson (Salford - Gymnastics), David Howe (Trafford - Tennis), Dave Evitts (Bolton - Swimming) and Kath Pemberton (Bury - Netball).