Passing It On: Monaco's Hervé Manrique takes his love of football a step further
by Nolwen Grassin, Athlete Leadership Programs Manager, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia
Hervé Manrique had been a Special Olympics Monaco footballer for 10 years when had an opportunity to develop and share his love of the sport by becoming an assistant coach in 2004 at Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia's first seminar to train athletes to become assistant coaches.
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When Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia held its inaugural seminar in 2004 to train athletes to become coaches, Special Olympics Monaco athlete Hervé Manrique was one of the first to sign up. Here Manrique (in red) oversees an exercise during the practical session of the training. [Photo by Nolwen Grassin] |
The newly certified assistant coaches also underwent a six-week practical training before taking on their responsibilities during the Special Olympics European Football Week in May 2004. "Manrique had already assisted during sessions for many years," said his coach, Marc Muratori. "In that sense, after the seminar nothing seemed to change. Yet everything did change! Manrique received his certificate and an official uniform, which he wears almost every day. He went home as an official assistant coach and gained so much self-confidence. It made a difference at training sessions and in his life too," he said.
"Football is my life," Manrique said. "I first kicked a football when I was two. Since then, I have always dreamed about becoming a coach. I was so proud when Marc invited me to attend the seminar. I like to help others and make them happy. In football, it is the same: it is important to give everyone a chance to kick the ball. During the seminar, I learned that assistant coaching is about helping everyone, including lower ability players, even with simple things like showing them how to put on their shin guards. Now that I am an assistant coach to younger players, I love to see how they improve week after week. I like when people have confidence in me. I feel very good as an assistant coach," Manrique said.
In October 2004, the football season started big for Manrique when he participated as team captain and assistant coach during the Special Olympics Spain National Enlarged Games, held 7-13 October in Seville, in which 1,600 athletes from 15 countries competed in 10 sports.
"During the matches, Marc focused on training our goalkeeper while I helped the rest of the team warm up. I used the stretching exercises I learned at the assistant coach seminar: running and jumping to warm up our bodies and stretching the neck, back and legs. Then we played, and I am proud to say that my team returned home with a gold medal," Manrique said.
Muratori was equally as proud of his assistant coach: "Hervé showed a real maturity on the pitch in Seville. He took the initiative to get the team ready for matches. He proved that he not only has developed his assistant coaching skills but he showed that he is a leader at heart."
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