I would like to respond to the attack on my coaching reputation by Ms Lovell in the article "Charlotte's 2012 target" (Courier August 14).

Firstly, I am well qualified to coach her disabled daughter. I am currently head throws coach for Mencap Sport (England) and head throws to the GB squad for athletes with learning disabilities.

I have been part of the elite coaching squad for Paralympic athletes and one athlete I coached not only broke the world record while I was coaching him but also went to the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney.

I continue to coach international athletes, most recently at the European Championships in Manchester where my athletes came away with gold medals and personal bests (PBs). Also I am currently giving extra coaching to two athletes with disabilities who have made it to the UK Schools Finals in Bath. The Courier gave me an award a few years ago for services to sport and I was the Npower coach of the year in 2002.

Angela Daniels asked me if I would coach Charlotte in May this year after she took she took up another position, to ensure that Charlotte reached the DSE finals. This I did and Charlotte managed a PB, putting three metres on to her throw of 13.34 metres. I would have thought the improvement was proof of my coaching skills after only three months, but apparently not!

I know Ms Lovell is disappointed that Charlotte did not make the schools final but that decision was nothing to do with me, the decision being made by England Athletics (Y & H).

I treat all athletes whether mainstream or disabled with the same effort and respect and it is a pity that some parents do not return the same respect to me.

I don't get paid for coaching at the Harriers or with the England and GB squads but my reward is seeing the athletes realise their potential and go as far as they can within the sport.

Ms Lovell is welcome to try and find someone else to coach Charlotte but she will find that throws coaches are very thin on the ground, especially ones with expertise in coaching athletes with disabilities.

Christine Galloway