HAWKWELL Athletic’s Darren Hawks has been recognised by the FA with the National Charter Standard Coach of the Year Award for 2009.

After winning the Essex FA Coach of the year award in 2008 and the FA Regional award in 2009, Hawks was delighted to be recognised at the national level.

The accolade was presented to him on the Wembley pitch by Sir Geoff Hirst at England’s game with Slovenia.

After the match Hawks and his wife Ellen attended an FA dinner to honour all the various FA National award winners.

An FA spokesman said that Hawks has been tireless in his dedication to improving the coaching skills of both himself and other coaches within the club.

Hawkwell now have 46 FA Level one, seven level two and two level three coaches.

Hawks is also taking his age appropriate badges to keep up with current thinking in coaching practices.

To keep the coaches up to date Hawks runs “Coach the Coaches” sessions and invites ECFA and FA staff down to Hawkwell to run courses and share the latest training techniques.