A COACH who has brought phenomenal success to a town gymnastics club has been honoured for his achievements.

Ron Bell, one of the driving forces behind the Ellesmere Port Club of Gymnastics, was named Coach of the Year at the Cheshire & Warrington Sports Partnership Awards.

The 49-year-old formed the club in 2008 and oversaw its move into a fully-equipped gymnastics centre on the Rossmore Industrial Estate in July of last year – a move which has resulted in a membership rise of an incredible 400%.

Ron, who lives in Little Sutton, said: “It is a great honour but my first reaction when they read my name out was of shock. I am very proud to have been given the award but I can’t take all the credit as it is a real club effort.”

Ron was hailed as ‘an excellent mentor’ who dedicates ‘hours of his time to helping other coaches and officials develop their skills’.

He is now employed full-time by the club, which boasts more than 200 members, after previously working for the Chester School Sport Partnership.

Ron was not the only member of the Ellesmere Port sporting community to taste success at the ceremony, held at Eaton Park near Chester.

Caitlin Kennedy won Young Volunteer of the Year while Richard Hennahane was named Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year.

Caitlin, from Ellesmere Port, volunteered hundreds of hours in her position as platinum sports ambassador for the Cheshire Oaks School Sport Partnership and was praised for her ‘outstanding professional, commitment and passion’.

The former Whitby High School student was also commended for her vital part in helping secure the future of her school sport partnership after government cutbacks put it under threat.

Richard, from Great Sutton, was rewarded for the stunning progress he has made in para-archery and labelled as an ‘inspiration’.

Richard’s performances since picking up the bow and arrow have wowed national team bosses and, after helping Great Britain to gold in the compound men’s team event at this summer’s World Archery Para Championships, he is now in with a shot of competing at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

Richard, Caitlin and Ron automatically qualified for the Cheshire & Warrington Sports Partnership Awards after their victories at the Cheshire West and Chester Sports Awards.