The best measure of a coach is the success of his athletes. Zhang Yong Qiang's sailors were so successful in 2006 that they secured his second consecutive award as Coach of the Year.

In March at the Asian Sailing Championships in the 420 class, sailors Low Wen Chun & Terry Tang and Sarah Tan & Lim Tze Ting picked up gold medal while Toh Liying & Tok Lee Ching and Roy Tay & Chung Pei Ming took bronzes in the 470 class.

At the Asian Games in Doha, his students won two more gold medals in addition to two silvers. Sarah Tan & Lim Tze Ting scored another gold medal in the 420 girls while Justin Liu and Sherman Cheng won the boy's event. In the 470 women's, Toh Liying sailing this time with Elizabeth Tan won a silver medal as Xu Yuan Zhen and Terence Koh claimed a silver in the men's.

Zhang's success reflects his holistic view to coaching to bring out the best in his sailors. He uses psychology to ensure that they are focused and calm for competition. Nutritional routines and strength & conditioning programmes keep his sailors fit and ready. He uses sports technology to track and improve performance.

At the same time, Zhang never relied solely on science. A great coach must manage the doubts and distractions that can plaque athletes year round. With his attention to detail, commitments to the sport and vision for his athletes, Zhang instills Singapore's young sailors with the faith that they can achieve great things.