16th December 2003

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Three outstanding University of Ulster sport mentors have scored a hat-trick for their coaching achievements, at a special awards ceremony to find Coach of the Year.

The University's Jordanstown-based Sports Institute Strength and Conditioning coach, Phil Moreland, who helped coach the Australian beach volleyball team that won gold in the 2000 Olympics, was crowned Tutor of The Year for his work in organising and setting up strength and conditioning courses for new coaches in Northern Ireland.

Judges at the ceremony - organised by the Coaching Northern Ireland body and jointly sponsored by UTV and Lucozade Sport - also awarded Alan Strong, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering, an Honorary Coach award for his services to table tennis at all levels.

Alan managed Northern Ireland's table tennis team during the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002, having coached Ulster teams at all levels, and has been the driving force behind the success over the past two decades.

His Jordanstown based colleague, Sport Institute and International Hockey Federation coach Peter McCabe picked up the Inter-provincial Coach of the Year award. This recognised his work with Ulster's men's hockey team over the past three years to complete the hat-trick for the University at the glittering event held at UTV.

Ronnie Smyth, Director of the Sport Institute for Northern Ireland said: " The University of Ulster places a high priority on sport and its development potential at all levels. These awards recognise the coaching talent through our Sports Institute."

"We are extremely proud to have so many outstanding coaches at the University and we shall continue to develop our services and expertise to nurture and develop talent to its full potential."

But, the talented trio lost out on the 'Overall Coach of the Year' which was awarded to Mickey Harte, the manager of this years All-Ireland Gaelic Football winners Tyrone.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk