Welsh coach Pye wins coaching honour

Posted: Tuesday 16th December 2008 | 12:32

PARALYMPIC swim coach Billy Pye has beaten off the challenge of Warren Gatland to be named Welsh coach of the year.

Pye saw his team of eight swimmers win 13 medals at the Paralympics, including nine golds - 31% of the Great Britain swim team's medal haul.

However, many expected Gatland, who lead Wales to a historic Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this year, to take the prize.

Pye can claim some credit for Eleanor Simmonds, David Roberts and Liz Johnson, who are all based the British Disability High Performance Centre in Swansea.

"David is a fantastic coach and he really deserves this honour," said Roberts, Britain's most successful male Paralympian ever with 11 golds to his name.

"Some said if Billy was a country he would have finished 14th on the medal table and that shows what an influence he has."

Pye, 50, took up coaching as a volunteer after being made redundant from his job as a minor.

"Billy has made a massive contribution to Welsh sport and we have certainly enjoyed the fruits of his labour this year," said Philip Carling, chair of the Sports Council for Wales.

"Good coaches inspire, motivate and encourage and it's vital that we recognise their work.

"The awards also demonstrate that coaches at local level are just as vital as those who work with elite athletes.

"It is their industrious contribution that encourages youngsters into sport, keeps them motivated and active at a young age and instils the core values of hard work, accountability, belief and - above all - enjoyment."