A coach who has trained Mansfield’s most successful swimmers has won a top award.

Glenn Smith, Mansfield District Council’s swim coach and development officer, received the prestigious Para-Coach of the Year Award for 2015 from the British Swimming Coaches Association.

The award was presented at the association’s 50th anniversary swim coaching conference in Birmingham.

Glenn, who coaches Paralympic swimming champions Ollie Hynd MBE and Charlotte Henshaw, gave a presentation on their recent summer of success at the conference.

Ollie and Charlotte both train at the Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness
Complex, Mansfield, and belong to the Nottinghamshire ASA County Swim Squad, Nova Centurion — Mansfield Squad. They have worked their way to the top of British, European and world tables and achieved numerous records and medals.

Glenn said: “This award is the pinnacle of my career because it is decided by coaches and members of the association.

“It is an amazing national honour, not only for me, but for Mansfield District Council and the Nova scheme in Mansfield.

“To be recognised by your peers is fantastic and the achievements of Ollie and Charlotte have been recognised throughout Britain and worldwide.”

Coun Andrew Tristram, portfolio holder for the environment at Mansfield District Council, said: “This is fantastic news and is testament to Glenn’s drive, professionalism and commitment to sport within the district.

“He makes Mansfield and this council very proud.”

Glenn has also been nominated in the Para-Swimming Coach of the Year category in the British Swimming Awards, which will be announced on Saturday. Ollie is shortlisted for Athlete of the Year.

Ollie and Charlotte are training hard for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

They were named along with Nova swimmer Ben Foulston in a squad of 44 athletes to join the British Para-Swimming Podium and Podium Potential Programme as the sport enters the final stretch before Rio.
That means they will receive support from UK Sport and British Swimming.