Alfa Romeo: Local Athletics Coach Wins Top Award

TURIN, ITALY – December 15, 2010: Peter Meredith from Wadebridge, Cornwall, has been selected from over 14,000 athletics coaches nationwide, to win the Alfa Romeo Cuore Sportivo (Sporting Heart) Coach Award, and with it a year in a brand new Alfa MiTo.

Peter (68), who coaches at Cornwall Athletics Club, near Redruth, was shortlisted along with nine other coaches from across the UK. He was chosen as the overall winner by Alfa Romeo UK and UKA representatives, including Kevin Tyler, UKA’s Strategic Head of Coaching and Development.

Peter commented: “I am absolutely delighted to win this award. I jokingly said, should I win it, that I would give all my athletes a lift but given there are 40 of them this could take some time! I am really grateful for the group of athletes I work with, my dedication is certainly matched by their hard work and ambition. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as my present car has just started to cause me problems, so I am very grateful to Alfa for this fantastic prize”.

Peter, who has coached athletes for 45 years, was praised for his commitment and dedication to the sport. An ex-athlete himself, Peter travels over 150 miles each week to coach a group of 40 young middle distance athletes. His achievements include coaching Jordan West the fastest ever U15 800 metre runner, who set a faster time than mid-distance legends Coe, Cram and Ovett.

Alfa Romeo, the Official Car Supplier to UK Athletics (UKA), launched the initiative to identify a coach who has demonstrated the most passion, pride and performance - three core values at the heart of Alfa Romeo - throughout their coaching career. The competition was open to all UKA Level 2 accredited coaches and above, who submitted their applications in early August.

Earlier this year, UKA announced 2010 as Year of the Coach. The campaign recognises the expertise, hard work and key role that coaches play in bringing success to athletes across the country. UKA is also working closely alongside the Home Country Athletics Federations to highlight, reward and further develop coaching skills, including the launch of a dedicated coaching resource website – uCoach – as well as a restructured coach education programme.

Brand Communications Manager at Alfa Romeo UK, Damien Dally, comments: “We launched the Cuore Sportivo coach award to acknowledge the crucial role that coaches play in the success of UK Athletics. Peter has made an outstanding contribution to athletics and continues to inspire young athletes across Cornwall and the UK.”

Alfa Romeo is celebrating its centenary this year and has been the Official Car Supplier to UKA since 2006, providing a fleet of vehicles to UKA coaches, staff and select athletes, as well as a financial contribution to help support the UKA programme.