On the strength of performances from Britain’s hottest swimmer, Mel Marshall has been named Britain’s hottest coach when she was awarded the British Swimming Coaches Association Coach of the Year this weekend at their annual gala.
This makes Marshall the first female coach to win the award.
Marshall is the coach of World Record holder Adam Peaty, who swam the fastest result over 50 meters of long course breaststroke at the 2014 European Championships. In total, he won four golds at those European Championships to go with two golds and a silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Marshall told British Swimming:
““I just want to say huge thanks to the City of Derby Swimming club for all of their support. Dreams do come true. I am truly humbled and honoured to receive Coach of the Year.”
Marshall is a former elite level swimmer herself who has coaches Peaty since he was 14 years old. That means that he’s one of her first significant projects after retiring in 2008.
Marshall also coaches Commonwealth Games swimmers Danielle Lowe, Harriett Cooper, Eleanor Baldwin, and James Lovatt at the City of Derby Swim Club.
Cooper is one to watch next season – Her freestyle is coming along very well now, she was more of a backstroke swimmer until recently (62.7 not long after her 14th Birthday). She could well become the final link in Britain’s 4×100 by 2016 – Amy Smith has delivered Britain legs between 53.5-53.9 time after time since 2010. Halsall is no worse than 53.0. O’Connor has a 53 mid flat start in her legs, without a doubt. If Britain can find another girl who can throw in a 53. leg – we’re in with a shout of Bronze.