Southend based Ian Gummery has picked up an Essex Coach of the Year crown for his successful work with junior triathletes in the county.

Ian is a level three senior coach in triathlon, who devotes considerable time to introducing youngsters into this demanding sport.

Several nominations were put in for him and it was highlighted that, with no level four coach education currently on offer within triathlon, he has bypassed this and is now studying for a Masters degree (MSc) in Sports Coaching at Brunel University.

No fewer than six of his Team Viper Club young triathletes accompanied their coach to the event at the Essex Record Office in Chelmsford.

Ian said: "Of course it's great to be recognised for the hours you put in with athletes in all weathers through good times and not so good.

"But no coach can ever take credit for anything without their athletes first doing the hard work and showing the commitment."

Essex County Council chairman Anthony Peel hosted the evening with BBC sport presenter Roger Buxton as master of ceremonies.

Ian, who lives in Chalkwell, won the section for top male or female coach coaching junior competitors.

The young person (18 or under) contributing to coaching as a coach/leader/helper prize was won by Billericay's Helen Letch for her work in cricket and netball.

Members of Ian's Team Viper Club were to the fore in the second Tri Sport Epping event of the triathlon calendar -- a swim/run duothon at Ongar Leisure Centre.

This event took on greater importance than the last as it was the Eastern Region Championships.

Thundersley's Craig Wheeler (Team Viper) led marginally out of the 300 metres swim, but had to fight hard on the three kilometre run to secure third spot, in 15mins 59secs, and national qualification.

In the junior event Craig's older brother Ben was able to relax a bit more and ran comfortably within himself to come in victorious and 30 seconds clear of his nearest rival in 15.26.

The junior female race saw Southend's Kristina Marshall feeling the effects of recent increases in run training but still finishing fourth in 19.46.

Ben, Craig and Kristina will all be going to the nationals in Salford.

Published Monday, April 21, 2003

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