Third coaching honour for Mel Marshall

The ceremony celebrates the inspiring stories and achievements of female athletes and coaches.

And for former international swimmer Marshall, it is yet another award in a very special year after already being named High Performance Coach of the Year at the UK Coaching Awards and British Swimming’s Coach of the Year.

After collecting her award last Monday, Marshall, from Wrangle, told host Claire Balding: “Tonight’s a real big honour.

“In sport you can spend a lot of days in the dark for a few special days in the light.

“Today’s one of those days, thanks very much.”

Marshall’s protege Adam Peaty became the first man to break 57 seconds in the 100m breaststroke among his many achievements this year.

Marshall was also part of the Great Britain coaching team at that event in South Korea.

Discussing her relationships with her swimmers, Marshall added: “It’s like a marriage, you spend a lot of time together and a lot of time disliking each other but, I say it’s like climbing Everest.

“Some days you need an oxygen mask, other days you need a tent.

“Some days you need a support and other days you just need somebody to listen to you.

“We work through those challenges every single day.”