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Ennis coach Toni Minichiello wants recognition

Ennis coach Toni Minichiello wants recognition
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Jessica Ennis's coach Toni Minichiello claims that his success has not been recognised.

The coach of Jessica Ennis, Toni Minichiello, claims that his success has not been recognised by UK Athletics (UKA).

Despite coaching Ennis to Olympic heptathlon gold at London 2012, Minichiello lost his full-time job with the governing body in a widespread restructuring process.

Ennis is expected to fund Minichiello as she begins her World Championship year.

UKA said that they had offered him a new role but Minichiello said, "I think it's better to walk away."

He added: "British Athletics have a strategy. The unfortunate thing is people like myself haven't been involved in what the strategy is."

New criteria for UKA funding requires all coaches to be based at its High Performance Centre in Loughborough, but both parties are unwilling to move Ennis from her hometown of Sheffield.

UKA head coach Peter Eriksson has said that Minichiello was offered a better salary than in his previous role but rejected the offer.

Minichiello responded, "Working with people (bobsleigher Nicola Minichiello) in winter sports winning world championship medals, working with people (Ennis) in summer sports from the age of 11 or 12 through to Olympic champion, I think that's pretty unique.

"From my perspective there has never been any recognition of that, never been a great deal of support for what we're trying to do."

Minichiello said that he may have to seek other employment to support his new circumstances but his partnership with Ennis would continue for now.

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Grant Yardley
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