Swimming: Mel Marshall proud after winning prestigious coaching accolade

Melanie Marshall: Delighted with award

Mel Marshall says perseverance has been key to her becoming the first ever female winner of the British Swimming Coaches Association Coach of the Year award.

The two-time former European gold medallist coaches 19-year-old Adam Peaty who has won seven European and Commonwealth medals and broken two world records this year.

And Marshall, who won six medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne before retiring in 2008, admits scooping the highest honour for British swim coaches is humbling.

“It’s a huge accolade for me,” Marshall told Sky Sports. “I went from the top of my game in women’s sport straight into coaching and I started off at club level.

“I just wanted to be back up at the top of the game again and it’s taken me six years to work up to that level and make sure I learn my craft.

“I learnt the hard way to ensure I have the skill-set necessary to coach top level sport. You need to make sure you have the performance level to coach elite athletes to the best of your ability. Being an athlete myself I understand how great that responsibility is.

“But it’s a very humbling moment and I’m really pleased, really happy, I’m just really chuffed.”

Marshall is part of a growing band of women coaching elite sportsmen. Amelie Mauresmo coaches Britain’s Andy Murray while Corinne Diacre is manager of French second division men’s side Clermont Foot.

And City of Derby Swimming Club coach Marshall, who leads a team of 20 coaches training 300 swimmers, believes it is an exciting time for female coaches in sport.

“I think it’s on the move and women are definitely coming to the forefront in coaching,” she said.

“But I think it’s about an individual’s skills. Just because you are a man or a woman doesn’t mean to say you’ve got any additional insight.

“It’s about individuals, whether it’s a female coach or a male coach. It should be a level playing field. Both have a lot to contribute and I think it’s becoming more inclusive.

“I think it’s important that you’re seen for your skill-set and not your gender. People are now seeing the skill-set that females have is just like the skill-set that male coaches have.”