SPORTING circles were stunned this week by the death of athletics coach John Woodcock.

John, 59, died at his home in Utley on Wednesday with his wife and family at his bedside. He was diagnosed with cancer late last summer but refused to let the illness stop him spreading a sporting message of hope.

Only days before his death he was planning for others to continue the work he had started in Africa helping to fight the HIV/Aids epidemic which is raging across the continent.

He had taken leave from his work as a West Yorkshire Athletics Development Coach to work among deprived young people in Malawi.

He travelled to Africa in September 2003 and spent 18 months living and working alongside local people. He had been encouraging young people to take up sport and channelled their enthusiasm to educate them about the threat from HIV.

While working at grass roots level he also made top-level contacts with leaders of the Government in Malawi and with British representatives in the country - even getting the British Ambassador to take part in one of his sports sessions.

While in Malawi he also discovered the talented middle-distance runner Kondwani, who had managed to find a pair of running shoes, but did not have any spikes.

John acquired a set of spikes on a visit to the UK and began the athlete's coaching in earnest. After just a few months he had qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympics, one of only two representatives from the country at the games.

"Their success together was proof that all you need is a good coach and committed athlete to achieve amazing results," said Keighley athlete Anthony Gill, who was also coached by John.

John Woodcock was brought up in the small Pembrokeshire village of Waterston and was proud of his Welsh heritage.

He trained as a teacher and became a specialist in PE, woodwork and metalwork becoming deputy head of a boarding school at Wigton in Cumbria.

In the late 1980's he was appointed Athletics Development Officer in the Bradford District and moved to Keighley.

In over 15 years dedicated to nurturing sporting talent he was able to guide numerous athletes to their own personal 'Olympics', whether as school, county, regional or national champions.

Hurdler Anthony Gill, who went on to take over John's role developing local sport, won 15 county titles, 10 North of England titles, five national medals, was English Schools champion and gained two national representative vests. More recently the partnership continued after Gill took up track cycling and he was ranked sixth in the national cycling championships.

"I couldn't have reached anything like the level I have without the coaching, support and friendship John gave to me and other athletes," Anthony said.

He also coached eight other internationals and numerous regional and county champions who started their sporting careers under his guidance.

John is survived by his wife, Angela, daughters Kerry and Sian and son Barry.

A funeral service is to be held next Friday (February 24) at St Marks, Utley at 1.30pm.