The award citation said the two men's efforts resulted in the team winning eight world titles over five days of competition in France. The team also won 14 silver and five bronze medals and set three world records in the pool.
"The influence of the coaches and setting the standard for the team was nothing short of amazing. To get the best out of such a talented pool of athletes, so they all peaked for the event, was outstanding," the citation said.
Tauranga's other success story from Saturday's prizegiving was Papamoa's Ross Merrett, who was named Surf Official of the Year. It was the third year in a row he had won the award. Last season he officiated for more than 400 hours at 14 events, four of them overseas.
Mr Merrett officiated in regional, national and international events, helping with the planning, organisation and implementation of surf lifesaving sporting events and carnivals in the summer and in winter pool events.
At the 2014 World Championships, he acted as a judge for one day and chief judge for four days as well as deputy arena referee for five days at the interclub championships. He was also involved in the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
Mr Merrett serves on regional and national officials' representative committees.
