Information on Loughborough

Ian Armiger Awarded

Posted on 14/11/2007
P. Klein

14th November 2007

swimmer

Ian Armiger, Loughborough Universitys Director of Swimming, is to be honoured at the 2007 Sports Coach UK Coaching Awards.

He will receive the esteemed Mussabini medal, which is awarded to individuals that have made a significant contribution to the development and management of coaching and individual coaches in the UK. It is named after Scipio Africanus Sam Mussabini (1867-1927) who was a professional athletics coach made famous as the coach of Harold Abrahams (think Chariots of Fire).

Ian has been a swimming coach for over 30 years and became Loughborough Universitys first full-time paid coach 11 years ago. He has worked with many successful swimmers throughout his career and has had swimmers in the last three Olympic squads.

During his time at Loughborough he built the foundations for one of the countrys most successful swimming programmes. The University also includes an excellent coach development scheme which has supported the likes of Ben Titley and Steve Bailey.

"I am very proud to have been awarded this medal, said Ian. "It is great to be recognised by your peers and the national organisation that focuses on coach development. But it is also a reflection of a full team effort at Loughborough University and recognition of an excellent programme.

"It is great to have helped so many young coaches develop, to see Ben Titley now working with some of the best athletes in British Swimming makes me so proud. The backbone of our programme is enthusiasm for the sport and this has taken us a long way.

Ian is the second Loughborough University coach to receive the Mussabini medal. Director of Athletics George Gandy was awarded the honour in 2003.

This years event marks the tenth anniversary of the coaching awards and the patron of Sports Coach UK, HRH The Princess Royal, will offer her congratulations to the winners at the special ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel on 12 December.