Double whammy of good news delights coach Dee

A COACH who "lives and breaths" rugby has capped a brilliant fortnight for Coney Hill RFC with a nomination in the Gloucestershire Media Diamond Jubilee Sports Awards.

Chris Dee has been nominated for Coach of the Year, a week after Coney Hill received £250 in the Echo's Cash 4 Clubs giveaway.

In nominating Dee, the club's junior co-ordinator Simon Baldwin said: "He does a lot of work and deserves more recognition so I would love to put him forward," said Baldwin.

"He oversees a lot and takes charge of all the club courses, plus he organised our tour last year and helps us to do everything.

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"He simply lives and breathes rugby," he said.

Dee, the junior coach and club coach co-ordinator, said he is delighted to be nominated for the award at this year's Gloucestershire Media Diamond Jubilee Awards.

"I'm chuffed to bits to be nominated. It's really unexpected and very nice of Simon to do so. It's a nice surprise and totally unexpected," he said.

"I ensure all the coaches have all their required qualifications, offer help and support to them if they need it and I also make sure the managers are first aiders.

Dee helped to oversee the first junior's side which was set-up six years ago, and since then they have gone from strength-to-strength while Dee has helped to develop some promising youngsters at the club.

"We had an under-tens side which is the side I coach - now being the under-16s - and they went unbeaten last year which was brilliant. Not many people can go a season unbeaten let alone win a trophy.

"Our early sessions had only maybe six players turn up to training and it's gradually grown from there as we now have about 80 players at the club.

"We've also got four lads who are in the South-West of England squad from our Under-16s as well which is really good" he said.

Dee says he thoroughly enjoys life at the club and is looking ahead to a promising season.

"It's a very enjoyable place at Coney Hill. It's great working at the club with the people that we have around here.

"It's a great club. The senior's are hoping to claim back our combination cup so that will be their priority this year. We've had some new recruits in too so it's really looking good at the moment.

Coney Hill, who won the runner's up cash prize in the Echo's Cash 4 Club's Scheme, sponsored by Cheltenham Round Table, will help to develop the youth system further and Dee is thankful for everyone who voted for the club. We are chuffed with winning that cash prize. We weren't expecting to get anything like that and we can't thank the parents and local people who collected the tokens enough.

"Both me and Simon were shocked to hear we'd won that to be honest. The money will help with new equipment as the club grows and get coaches on courses."