AN athletics coach who re-mortgaged his home twice to fund training for his proteges has been named among a magnificent seven to get a special cash windfall.

John Powell, who has coached with the Belgrave Harriers since 1993, was named by UK Athletics (UKA) to join the Norwich Union Developing Elite Coach System.

It means the Bexley-basedpolice superintendent will get expenses to develop his coaching expertise covering course fees and books as well as travel and accommodation.

John said: "I am enthralled as this is the first time UK Athletics have been in a position to help coaches such as me.

"When I was looking after an elite athlete a few years ago I re-mortgaged my home twice to fund warm weather training in the USA for my squad. An experience I would not like to repeat.

He added: "This award will help to maintain the momentum of my group."

John (pictured) will be using the award to finance trips to experts, both overseas and in this country, who can help him continue to improve his training techniques for his 20-strong squad which includes world class sprinter Wade Bennett-Jackson.

The award of an undisclosed amount is a surprise anniversary present for John as he celebrates 30 years as a coach next month.

It all started when, as Herne Hill Harriers' junior captain, he took his assistant club coach award at Crystal Palace.

He went on to play a huge role in Blackheath Harriers' successes from 1978 to 1993 including five successive National Young Athletes' League titles.

After fighting against cancer in the early nineties he joined Belgrave Harriers in 1993 under the benevolence of Sir Eddie Kulukundis.

John said: "Sir Eddie was massively influential in supporting athletes in a way I had not been able to support them before.

"I always remember within 20 minutes of meeting him, he booked me on a flight to the 1994 World Junior Championships in Lisbon, where Noel Levy was running.

"I have missed only one major junior championships since then and have had athletes in all but one of them."