After the double success of Rebecca Adlington at the Beijing Olympic Games plus the World Record swim in the 800m free, there could only be one winner and the that was Bill Furniss of Nova Centurion.

'It's only taken me 28 years to become an overnight success!', said Furniss at the BSCTA Annual Awards on Saturday 27th September 2008 at the Hinckley Island Hotel in front of 120 of his peers.

The Award, sponsored by Speedo, was presented by the new BSCTA President, Dave Haller, and was gratefully received as Coach Furniss thanked a number of people and organisations for the honour & recognition, including Nottinghamshire County Council, Rebecca Adlington and his wife.

He also payed special tribute to the work done by two coaches who within his own programme in Bassetlaw & Mansfield, who are Cathy Pritchard & Glenn Smith.

He stressed the importance of all British coaches working together to maintain the success in China, but also stated that whilst the new Intensive Training Centres (ITC's) were important they could not work on their own, ' the ITC's will only be successful if they have an infrastructure of Clubs and programmes working below them.'

He also gave hope to all the British Coaches who work in poor or old facilities, 'I've done it,' said Coach Furniss, 'in 25 metre & 36.6 yard  pools, so if I can, you can too.'

Bill Furniss won the Award not only for Adlington's performances, but also because his female 4x200m free team, set a new world club record. He received a well deserved standing ovation from all those in attendance.