BEING nominated for a BBC Sports Unsung Hero award has come as a big surprise — if not undeserved — to former Kelly College swimming coach Archie Brew.

Archie, was put forward by one of his former pupils — modern pentathlon Olympian Heather Fell, who acknowledged his coaching skills, and that of his son Robin, which enabled her to go on to achieve silver medallist success in Beijing 2008.

Heather Fell has launched the BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award 2009 in the South West to search for and honour individuals from the world of grassroots sport.

She said:  'Archie is my unsung hero because if it weren't for him I wouldn't have got into modern pentathlon as a sport and certainly not be where I am today.  He is the one who was always there behind the scenes to pick me up if I was feeling down.  Whatever your goals, whatever your ability he will give you the same level of attention whether your goal is swimming two lengths or competing for Great Britain.'

Nominations should be made for people who go the extra mile to change the lives of others through sport and who deserved to be recognised for their selfless work on the part of others.

Nominees should be people who, on a voluntary basis, prepare facilities, roll the pitch, coach the juniors, run local sports leagues or work behind the scenes so that sport can be played and enjoyed by people throughout the UK.

Archie, aged 79, who still coaches swimming part-time at Kelly College and teaches the sport at seminars all over the country, said:

'It was totally unexpected, I only just got a call about it on Thursday and it is good of Heather to put me forward. But, I must admit, I don't really look back at the past.

'I hope what I have done is something that helped those that I have trained along the way but I have never looked for an award. I have never expected anything but I do appreciate Heather nominated me.

'Helping each individual to achieve the best that they can is what motivates me as a coach.  Not everyone can achieve the highest level but they can all achieve the best for them.'

In more than 30 years he has coached more than a 1,000 youngsters.

Nominations for the BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award 2009 can be made at using a printable form.

Nomination forms are also available from at BBC local radio stations and BBC regional centres. Nominations can be made up until Friday, October 30.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2009, will be broadcast live on BBC One at 7pm on Sunday, December 13.