MUCH-LOVED Dorchester football coach Bob Mowlem has been honoured with the accolade of Community Coach of the Year at the 25th annual UK Coaching Awards.

The award, for the 'Children & Young People' category, celebrates in some style his 60 years of voluntary football coaching.

Mowlem has played a vital role in developing young players across Dorset through a number of voluntary positions – from youth leader to football administrator to team manager, league chairman and league child welfare officer.

His commitment to the game, and to the young people participating at every level, has seen him land the prestigious award from UK Coaching.

READ MORE: Bob Mowlem and Steph Buchanan shortlisted for national awards

The award helps to shine a spotlight on those who have gone above and beyond in transforming lives and communities through sport and physical activity.  

Overwhelmed to be announced as an award winner, Mowlem reflected: “It’s unbelievable for me, I’m really chuffed.

“It was such professional company present at the awards, I really thought I was just here for the occasion, and I never dreamt that I would be chosen as a winner. It was a huge shock for me.

“Coaching gives me a great deal of satisfaction seeing the kids progress to any level in the game.

“The most important thing is to work with the kids, to encourage them to stick at it, whoever you are working with and whatever problems they might be having.

“I’ve even seen kids I’ve coached bring their own kids many years later, which is amazing for me and making those long-lasting connections.

“A great coach is one who listens to what the children have got to say, and everything they do is for the child’s best interests.”

The awards are seen as one of the most prestigious within the coaching community, created to recognise the remarkable contributions coaches make – including outstanding coaches like Mowlem who continue to play a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of the nation.

UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon congratulated Bob on his award, and for the profound coaching contribution that saw him honoured as part of the annual celebration.

He said: "I would like to extend a huge congratulations to Bob on his fantastic work over many years as an outstanding coach.

“Bob, and all our UK Coaching Awards finalists, don’t just support more people into physical activity and sport, they also change lives, tackle inequalities and help build communities.

“They also have an insatiable appetite to be the best versions of themselves in order to help their participants.

“For our 25th UK Coaching Awards, the bar was raised once again, and it is so important that we acknowledge and thank all coaches, at all levels and in all settings, as they work tirelessly to support more people mentally and physically through physical activity and sport.”

Bovington's Steph Buchanan was up for the Change A Life award, but was pipped to it by paddleboarder Tony Kerr, who helps those with complex needs.

Find out more about this year’s winners and the awards by heading to www.ukcoaching.org/uk-coaching-awards.