Ealing, Southall and Middlesex AC coach Dave Johnson wins Ealing Sports Coach of the Year Award

Report by Martin Newth

Dave Johnson, ESM’s specialist jumps coach, was crowned 2026 Ealing Sports Coach of the Year at the annual awards ceremony held at Ada Lovelace School in July.

The award recognises and celebrates Dave’s longstanding contribution to athletics and more than 50 years of coaching excellence. It also reflects his outstanding current achievements with a new generation of athletes, including Lashaun Thorpe Maclean, who is representing the club and Middlesex at this year’s English Schools Championships in Birmingham, and multiple national medalist Jude Bright-Davies.

Dave also coaches world-ranked number one U18 men’s triple jumper Tito Odinaike, aged 16, and Leila Newth, aged 15. Both will compete in the triple jump for Great Britain at this year’s European U18 Championships in Rieti, Italy, making Dave the only UK coach to have two athletes competing as part of the 40-strong GB team.

This current success builds on decades of supporting athletes to achieve at the highest level. It was therefore fitting that the award was presented to Dave by special guests Donna Fraser OBE and Myrtle Augee MBE, both former Team GB Olympians who themselves benefited from Dave’s guidance and mentoring. Accepting the award, Dave, himself a former international triple jumper, spoke about the importance of the stability and dependability a coach provides, and of his continuing passion for supporting athletes, both young and old, to fulfill their potential.