Leander's Brian Armstrong is pictured after receiving his award, flanked by the BBC's John Inverdale, and former world champion and Olympic silver medallist Chris Baillieu (Photo copyright: Sports Coach UK / Digital Sports UK)

Leander coach Brian Armstrong has been honoured with a lifetime achievement award for services to rowing by Sports Coach UK.

He received his award from fellow Leander member Chris Baillieu, the recently appointed chairman of the organisation, at a glittering ceremony held last week at Old Billingsgate in London.

Brian started his rowing career at the age of 16 at Talkin Tarn Rowing Club, near his home town of Brampton in Cumbria.

As his career as a chartered surveyor progressed he subsequently became a member of four more clubs, including his university at Newcastle, and progressed to coaching (as well as becoming captain) at all five!

His career moved up a notch when he was apprenticed to Bob Janousek, one of the architects of Britain’s resurgence in international rowing, in the early 1970s, and he later became coach to the GB men’s lightweight team 1983-84.

He then moved into team management, taking charge of Britain’s increasingly successful rowers at no less than twelve world championships and three Olympic Games (1988-1996).

After his retirement he started coaching at Leander in 1997 and has since guided many raw recruits to greatness, including many Henley wins.

Leander cox Chrisy Fox was one of many to pay tribute to Brian's coaching ability.

“Brian’s concept is that 90% of success is in your head – it became our mantra, including the three C's of our campaign: commitment, courage, and caring. We needed to commit every stroke, have the courage to push ourselves harder than we ever had and care for ourselves and for the crew members around us” she said.