Anthony's Story

With a world title and record in the bag already this year for his London 2012 hopeful, Anthony Hughes has added the Sport Wales Coach of the Year title to his list of successes.

National Performance Manager for Disability Sport Wales, Anthony is Head Coach and National Programme Manager for the Elite Disability Athletics Programme based at the National Indoor Athletics Centre.

Credited with developing the renowned Disability Sport Wales academy and producing an army of elite athletes, Penarth's Anthony has helped make Wales one of the most successful pound-for-pound nations in world para-sport.

Of the 31 Welsh athletes who were part of the Great Britain squad at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, nine of these were first-time Paralympians having come through the Academy programme.

At the senior World Athletics Championships held by IPC (International Paralympic Committee) in New Zealand in January 2011, outstanding performances by the Welsh athletes saw them return with 18% of the Great Britain medal haul.

His young star Nathan Stephens won gold in the F57 javelin, while there was a silver for Aled-Sion Davies in the F42 Discus and bronze for Kyron Duke in the F40 Javelin.

In August, Stephens broke the world record at the Czech Open, recording a distance of 41.37m.

Hughes, himself a wheelchair user, took the honour in the Coach to Disabled Performers category.

If you are interested in Disability Sport Wales then check out the FDSW website. If you're interested in getting involved in coaching or volunteering then either take a look at our coaching pages or sign up today via Behind Every Star.