SHARKS coach John Plumtree has dedicated his Absa Currie Cup Coach of the Month award to the players and management of the club.

SHARKS coach John Plumtree has dedicated his Absa Currie Cup Coach of the Month award to the players and management of the club.

An excited Plumtree made this comment after being announced the top coach for August at a colourful function in Durban yesterday.

The Player of the Month award was grabbed by the hard-working Free State Cheetahs prop WPNel.

Plumtree's outstanding leadership has contributed to the team's success at the halfway stage of the competition. They are on top of the table and have lost only one match - to Western Province - out of seven matches in the first round.

"I am really honoured to have been chosen from among the respectable coaches in the local domestic competition," he said.

"Coaching is a demanding job. You can't achieve anything in the world without good support from the management and players as well.

"I hope this award will motivate us to work harder in a move to maintain the top position and qualify for this year's semifinals."