DECEMBER 13 - AMANDA KIRBY, who guided gymnast Beth Tweddle to World Championship gold in October, was among the winners at the 2006 Coaching Awards in London today.

 

Kirby, who has coached Tweddle since she was a beginner, was named UK Female Coach of the Year.

 

Badminton coach Andy Wood won the male category after his success with the likes of mixed doubles world champions Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms.

 

Guests at the award show included London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

 

Maeve Kyle was given the Lifetime Achievement award for her work locally with athletes at the Ballymena and Antrim Athletics Club.

 

Other guests at the ceremony included former rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward, now the elite performance director of the British Olympic Association, and Sports Minister Richard Caborn.

 

"Good coaches are crucial if we are going to take sporting talent and develop them into World and Olympic champions," said Caborn.

 

"We understand this and are investing £60 million into improving the quality and quantity of coaching in this country.

 

"These awards give deserved recognition to coaches from both community and elite sport."