SquashTalk>News >Two British Coaches win Top Honors [last update was 19-dec-00 ]

Pearson and Harvey scoop national coaching awards in the UK.

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12.18.00 London by Howard Harding; (Neil Harvey photo © 2000 Ron Beck)

PEARSON & HARVEY SCOOP TOP NATIONAL COACHING AWARDS
In recognition of "outstanding achievement at world-class level", English squash coaches David Pearson and Neil Harvey have each been awarded the prestigious Mussabini Medal by the National Coaching Foundation, and inducted into the NCF's Hall of Fame.

The presentation to Pearson and Harvey - the only recipients at the Olympic year awards ceremony representing non-Olympic sports - was made by Minister for Sport Kate Hoey.

David Pearson, capped 39 times for England, was appointed National Coach by the Squash Rackets Association (SRA) in 1995. Since then the Harrogate-based coach has gone on to help the England men's team to win the World Team Championship for the first time, then successfully defend the title, as well as become five-times European team champions. Under his direction, England's women's team secured five European team titles and last month reclaimed the World Team title after ten years. In addition, he has coached individuals such as Simon Parke to world No3 and Paul Johnson to world No5, and has also guided Norfolk's Cassie Campion to number one in the world.

Neil Harvey, who has also represented his country more than 30 times, began his coaching career in Chingford, London, in 1991 - since when he has helped Scotland's Peter Nicol become Britain's first ever world No1 and world champion, and guided Sussex's Linda Charman to a career-high world No3.

"The SRA is very proud that David and Neil's exceptional talents have been recognised in this way - particularly, in Olympic year, alongside so many individuals who made such a high-profile contribution to Britain's success in Sydney," said SRA Chief Executive Stuart Courtney. "These are the most prestigious awards in coaching, with David and Neil now becoming the first figureheads in squash to join an illustrious group of coaches in the NCF's Hall of Fame which includes such great names as Sir Alex Ferguson and Ian McGeechan."

Issued on behalf of the Squash Rackets Association (SRA) by Howard Harding

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