The 2011 UK Coaching Awards saw a masive acknowledgement for a group of great coaches who contributed to some of Wales' best success on the track in the last seasons.

The Coaching Chain award went to Wynford Leyshon, Darrell Maynard, Benke Blomqvist and Malcolm Arnold, who have each had a vital part in Dai Greene's development from a promising athlete to world beater.

Leyshon coached Greene in his early days at Swansea Harriers, while Maynard coached him at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff. Blomkvist, a specialist hurdling coach, was another influential figure at Welsh Athletics while under Arnold Greene has become Commonwealth and European Champion, as well as claiming the world crown.

The award represents a testament to the quality of coaching in Wales across the whole spectrum of the sport, from grassroots to the highest level.

On the evening, Arnold was also honoured with a Lifetime Award for a successful career spanning more than 40 years and with the High Performance Coach award.

Arnold, 71, guided John Akii-Bua to 400m hurdles Olympic glory in 1972 and helped Welsh hurdler Colin Jackson to World Championship gold in 1991 and 1999.

European 110m hurdles silver medallist Andy Pozzi and Jack Green, the European under-23 400m hurdles champion, are among his current young crop of talent.