MALCOLM FENTON was delighted to collect the Abbeycroft Leisure Coach of the Year award and revealed he gained as much satisfaction from seeing his proteges develop as anything else.

The veteran hammer, discus and shot coach and competitor has won four national titles this year in athletics, as well as claiming a world title at hammer decathlon (ten different ways of throwing a hammer) last month.

He is currently nurturing the talents of two rising stars, Bromley’s Amir Williamson (hammer) and Haverhill’s Sam Milner (discus) – both of whom finished in the top-eight at the London 2012 Olympic trials.

“I never thought it (seeing athletes develop) would be the most satisfying aspect of being a coach, especially having been a competitor myself, but to see people doing well and fulfilling their potential is,” he said.

“It’s nice to be recognised for the work and effort you put in as quite often coaches are forgotten, but the way we work at England Athletics, coaches come first and the athletes get their recognition that way.”

Fenton believes the hard work has to be maintained after the success of the 2012 Olympics.

“The Games was the easy part but the work that goes on behind the scenes has got to continue.”