GWYN Pierce of Tyldesley Swimming and Waterpolo Club is the Wigan Borough Coach of the Year.

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 on Tuesday 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, now in it's second year, was made in recognition of Gwyn's dedication over the last 21 years to the development of his club and swimming in the borough. During this time he has been instrumental in the development of three junior internationals. Khalid Jhugroo is one of those swimmers who has gone on the represent England at youth level, winning a gold medal earlier this year in an open water 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 is still responsible for about 120 swimmers yet still finds 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 now goes forward to the Greater Manchester Coach of the Year award.

The runners-up were David Groves of A&T cricket club and Steve Walshaw of the Centurions Boxing Club who receive commemorative clothing and a certificate.