Annan's Gary Coupland admitted he had to pinch himself in amazement after picking up a top prize at the star-studded 2015 UK Coaching Awards.

Coupland won the Children’s Coach of the Year Award on Tuesday evening, rubbing shoulders with the great and the good of British coaching at the iconic Midland Hotel in Manchester.

The 54-year-old rugby coach was singled out for praise by the judging panel for his work in the development of rugby for young people in the Annan area.

As well as delivering fun rugby coaching sessions at mini and midi rugby level at Annan Rugby Club, Coupland has also been involved in the initial set-up of the women’s and girls’ taster sessions while his work delivering rugby coaching blocks with Active Schools has helped raise the profile of the sport and significantly increase participation levels.

And after his hard work and dedication was rewarded as he beat two other nominees to the award, Coupland was struggling to take it all in.

“For someone who comes from a small town like I do to be recognised as the UK Coaching Awards is just fantastic, absolutely fantastic,” said the retired detective inspector.

“I was just shocked and stunned when I found out I had won. The other two nominees were fantastic. I’m just finding it hard to believe."

“It’s a fantastic night, it’s similar to the Scottish awards, there’s so many inspirational people here."

“The club I’m involved with is Annan rugby club. I’m currently vice president, fixture secretary, referee secretary, coaching co-ordinator. I’ve got lots of different roles."

“We’re a family orientated club and you just want to be involved with it. It’s what sports about, it’s involvement for all, it’s success for everybody, sharing it together.”

The UK Coaching Awards honour sports coaches and coaching organisations who have demonstrated outstanding success over the previous 12 months.

Previous winners at the UK Coaching Awards include Jessica Ennis-Hill’s mentor Toni Minichiello and Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, and Coupland insisted it was an honour to follow in such illustrious footsteps.

“I’ve been involved in coaching for three years, I played for 28 years but I’ve only actually been involved with coaching fairly recently,” he added.

“To come through and get the award now is humbling and unbelievable, it’s stuff of fantasies really."

“Seventy five per cent of all coaches are volunteers in the UK and that’s why it’s important to support them and recognise the work they do.”

The UK Coaching Awards 2015, hosted by sports coach UK is a chance to recognise excellent coaching and coaching organisations that have achieved outstanding success over the past 12 months. For more information visit:www.sportscoachuk.org