A LYMM Rugby Club coach is celebrating his success after winning a prestigious prize at the National Rugby Awards at Twickenham.

Nick Hughes was presented with the Ram Rugby Coach of the Year award at the home of English rugby at an event attended by England internationals as well as members of the Olympic silver medal-winning rugby sevens side.

Having first started coaching at the club in 2005, Hughes has coached at every level of Lymm’s junior section.

Due to his determination to instil rugby’s values in both the boys and coaches alike, his abilities were recognised by Sale Sharks who asked him to manage their DPP Cheshire CB programme four years ago.

And having beaten off stiff competition from five other nominees to win the award, he admits the memories of the night will stay with him forever.

“This is massive for me,” he said.

“I started this job when the lads were six years old, so this is ten years on and to be recognised as having done a good job with a young group of players is an awesome experience.

“Because it’s rugby, it’s even more special. I’ve coached at club and school and seen youngsters develop into good rugby players and that in itself is hugely satisfying.

“This is a very special experience for me. It’s more than just the coaching, it’s seeing the players develop and making them into good people – that’s the values of the sport and we’ve always tried to do that with our players.

“We are a village of 8,000 people, and we have 1,000 members of the club, and everyone plays rugby.

“It’s a reflection of the sport, how popular it is now with young people and what it can provide them.”

n For more information about the National Rugby Awards, please visit the Website http://www.nationalrugbyawards.co.uk