NTID COACH TOBY COOTE WINS SUNSHINE COAST "COACH OF THE YEAR"

THE Sunshine Coast hosts Australia's three biggest triathlons and Toby Coote's dedication to the region's athletes earned him the crown of Sunshine Coast Coach of the Year.

Coote, 34, has been living at Point Cartwright since 1984 and has helped nurture the Coast's best triathletes.

He said last year was the most rewarding for him after a number of his young prospects performed admirably in the international arena.

"It's great to get this award after all the hard work you put it. To win a prestigious honour like that is fulfilling," he said.

"Last year couldn't have got any better than it was.

"I had a lot of elite guys getting great results and going away with a couple of trips with young guns squads showed great promise."

Coote said the sport was constantly growing and the Sunshine Coast had become a hub for producing exceptional talent.

"Triathlon has always been on the rise. It just doesn't get the coverage that mainstream sport gets," he said.

"The Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra triathlons all fill up so quickly. I don't know too many other sports that are doing that.

"We've got one of the best training facilities here."

Coote's highlights for 2009 included four of his athletes gaining professional licences and the emergence of his young stars such as Kira Seidel.