Southampton Trailblazers men's head coach Sylvain Donneaud has been named EBL Division 4 Southern conference coach of the year.

In coach Donneaud's first season with the club he saw the men's side go the entire league season unbeaten, with a 16-0 record and reaching the semi-finals of the playoffs. It is testament to the hard work Donneaud has put in all season, but the modest coach insists on not taking all the credit, he says: "It is due to great teamwork between everybody, the players, Ian Crabb (team manager) and me."

The Trailblazers featured in two competitive playoff games, but Donneaud's personal high point of the season was a victory in the national shield against division 3 side Brixton Topcats. Donneaud's coaching style is enthusiastic both in training and games, with an emphasis on hard nosed defence, and fast break basketball. Player and media spokesman for the club Anthony Rutter says: "He encourages us to play within an organised structure, but also with the freedom to create and run the floor."

Captain Mark Jackson added: "He has come into a new programme, and a newly formed team, and inspired us all to give 100 per cent every game. His knowledge of the game is endless with every practice being different."

Coach Donneaud hails from Chambery, France, where he gained his master's degree in physical education and coached French side Cognin la Motte Savoie Basket' at youth and senior level. Donneaud was 17 when he met former professional player Jeff Salerno and would learn under him as an assistant coach for county teams. This year saw his former club also promoted to division 2 in France, "A great year for everybody," said Donneaud.

The coach of the year realises the same success next year will be a very difficult task, but an exciting challenge. The men's team will be up against some tough opposition, including current division 4 champions Oxford and Donneaud anticipates every game to be a close affair.

The new season begins on September 29th against London Westside in the national cup.