The Australian, a key figure behind the dominance enjoyed on the track by the UK’s cycling stars, was presented with his award by HRH The Princess Royal in a glittering ceremony at the Dorchester in London’s Mayfair.

Sutton was also one of seven recipients of the High-Performance Coach of the Year Award, as was Rebecca Adlington’s coach Bill Furniss.

Furniss also picked up The Coaching Chain: The Appreciation of Coaching Award along with Linda Bennett, Ian Negus and Glenn Smith.

The award celebrates all the coaches that have contributed along the way to an athlete’s success - on this occasion Adlington, who won two Olympic gold medals in Beijing, the 400 and 800 metres freesytle, breaking the 19-year-old world record in the latter - and was presented by the swimmer herself.

British Swimming was named governing Body of the Year while Andy Banks - coach of teenage diver Tom Daley - won Performance Development Coach of the Year.

There was also reward for the dedication and achievements of golf coach John Jacobs - who has worked with players such as Ian Woosnam and Gary Player - and Baroness Sue Campbell, who were presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Recognition of Outstanding Contribution to Sport and Coaching Award respectively.

Sutton's prize meant that cycling continues to dominate the awards season.

On Sunday Chris Hoy, who had won three gold medals in Beijing, was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and performance director David Brailsford coach of the year.

Brailsford said: "Coaching is at the heart of British Cycling’s programmes from grass roots to elite.

"From Go-Ride to Olympic Podium, all our programmes share the foundation of quality coaching, which is crucial to the development of riders at every level.

"The shared hard work, dedication and expertise of both volunteer and professional coaches has made a huge contribution to British Cycling’s recent success.

"The contribution of elite coaches has rightly been applauded at Olympic level, while the opportunity to pay tribute to the quiet and diligent hard work of those dedicated coaches bringing through the developing riders is welcomed."

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe paid tribute to Britain's coaches.

He said: "Coaches are often the unsung heroes of sport, working tirelessly to help sportsmen and women achieve their best and win medals or trophies.

"The UK Coaching Awards recognises the achievements of coaches across the sports spectrum, from grass roots to elite level.

"It's an opportunity for coaches to pat themselves on the back following a phenomenal year, not least for the success Team GB enjoyed in Beijing, but also for those that have helped moved things forward in school and community sport."