Swimming took the top spot at the recent Sports Council for Wales Coach of the Year awards.

The head coach of City of Cardiff Swim Club, Dave Haller, was awarded the Coach of the Year award.

Haller is currently training David Davies, who won bronze at the Athens Olympics this summer in the 1,500m freestyle. He has also previously coached Mark Foster, David Wilkie and Duncan Goodhew.

Meanwhile, Billy Pye, the Welsh national coach for disability swimming, received an award for outstanding achievement at a separate ceremony at the Welsh Institute of Sport.

Pye, who is based at the Wales National Pool, Swansea, was one of only two coaches to send five swimmers to the GB Paralympic team.

He was appointed by British Swimming as High Performance Coach 18 months ago.

Other award recipients included women’s under-21 hockey coach Pam Richards from Wrexham, who won the Female Coach of the Year award. Volunteer coach was given to Bill Darwin of Kinmel Bay Girls Football Club, school teacher coach was Sarah Thomas of Hywel Dda Junior School in Cardiff while Jean Jones won Coach of the Year to disabled sportspeople.

Alan Pugh, sports minister, who made the presentations, said: “Good coaches inspire, motivate and encourage and it’s vital that we recognise the work of coaches at all levels.” Details: www.sports-council-wales.co.uk