The award came as a big surprise for Joel Anderson who walked away with the award during a breakfast ceremony at the Under-12 Victorian Country Championships.

Named after well-known Victorian coach Owen Hughan, the award recognises excellence in coaching over a 12 month span.

Although not a big fan of individual accolades, Mr Anderson said winning an award named after a "coaching legend" felt great.

"I don't like individual awards personally but getting an award named after someone like Owen was excellent," he said.

The award comes on the back of the 2018 Australian Junior Championships where he coached the under-16 Victorian Country team to second place honors.

The 30-year-old also coached the under-18 Ballarat Miners to second place in the Victorian Country Championships in February.

When asked what it was he loves about coaching, Anderson told The Courier he loved watching his players succeed.

"I just like connecting with and helping the players to help them get to where they want to go," he said.

"I think the best award you be be given from coaching is being awarded with good teams to coach."