Simmonds trainer awarded Welsh Coach of the Year prize

By Duncan Mackay
Friday, 30 November 2012

By Duncan Mackay

November 30 - Billy Pye, the man who guided Ellie Simmonds to such success at London 2012, has been awarded Sport Wales Coach of the Year.

Simmonds was one of the stars of the Paralympics with two gold medals, a silver and a bronze but was just one of several swimmers coached by Pye at the Swansea Performance Centre.

Overall swimmers under Pye's guidance won a total of 11 medals, including a bronze for Sam Hynd and bronze for Matthew Whorwood.

Ellie Simmonds has become one of Britain's most successful Paralympians under the guidance of former coal-miner Billy Pye at Swansea

Pye, a former coal-miner, has previously coached 11-time Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts.

"Billy is rightly viewed as one of the top coaches in UK sport and world swimming," said Laura McAllister, the chair of Sport Wales

"His success is something which all of us in Welsh sport are proud of."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

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