Wigan Sports Awards
Paralympic star Jenny Coughlin lifted a top title to bring more glory
for award-winning Tyldesley Swimming Club.
Double world record holder Jenny, who suffers sight problems, collected
one of five honours at the 2003-4 Wigan MBC annual sports awards.
The Manchester swimmer who trained at Tyldesley, was a Great Britain disabled team squad medallist at the Sydney Olympics and in training for Athens, collected
the Disability Sports Performer of the Year award.
The club was also delighted to win three runner-up places and
a third place beating off tough opposition from the borough's top sporting clubs.
Great Britain Catholic Swim Squad ace Frances Peers was unlucky to
finish second in the Sports Performer of the Year category.
Frances won five gold medals in the World Catholic Schools' championships
in Spain and was a member of the Lancashire team that won the ASA Inter-County Championship for the second year in succession.
Swim teacher of 25 years who had recently retired as head of teaching,
Gwyn Pierce, a member of the Wigan Swimming Development Group, was happy to be recognised in the Special Recognition in Sport
category, while the club was judged in second place for the Club of the Year title.
Tyldesley's chief coach Diane Stafford, who also helps at the Wigan
Scheme of Excellence came third in the Coach of the Year title.
Diane has been involved with active sports swim festivals and camps
and was a member of the ASA Technical Swimming Committee, the Northern Counties Executive, Lancashire County Executive and
Central Lancashire SWPA.
Publicity officer Alan Stafford said: '"We are delighted. It is a great
achievement. It is hard for amateur clubs to compete against the pros."
Manchester Sports Awards
Jenny Coughlin was also the runner-up in the Disablity Sports
performer of the Year category at the Manchester Sports Awards.
