Great Britain honours coaches Thompson and Grobler

British women's coach Paul Thompson
© Getty Images

Paul Thompson and Jurgen Grobler, coaches to the British rowing squad, will today receive awards from Sports Coach UK (the UK National Coaching Federation) at the Cafe Royal Hotel in London.

Thompson, head coach to the women's team that won two silvers and a bronze at this year's Olympic Games will be inducted into the Coaching Hall of Fame by HRH The Princess Anne, Princess Royal, today. He will also receive the Mussabini Medal which celebrates the contribution of coaches who have achieved outstanding success on the world stage.

Grobler meanwhile will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He has coached a British gold medal crew at every Olympic Games since 1992 and enjoyed similar successes in Germany from the 1970s onwards before coming to the United Kingdom.

Jurgen Grobler
© Getty Images

Thompson said: "I am very proud to have been involved with the success of Great Britain's oarswomen over the last Olympiad. I am also extremely honoured to be presented with the Mussabini Medal. The athletes' talent and dedication has been nurtured and supported by an excellent team of coaches and support staff that would have struggled to provide the same level of support without the financial contribution of the National Lottery".

Grobler said:  "Of course I am honoured to receive this award but perhaps it is easier for a frontline coach to gain this sort of recognition. There are so many coaches who work at the development at other levels and they should not be forgotten".

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