Volleyball-More coaches join volleyball promotion |28 August 2006

Of the 17 coaches, six are now Level Two coaches after being successful in a 14-day Level Two coaching course ran by Dr Christian Kroger from Germany and Egyptian A. Hamid El-Wassimy in May this year, while the remaining 11 got their Level One certificate following their good showing in written and practical examinations set by local Fédération internationale de Volley-ball (FIVB) coaching instructor Bernard Denis at the end of a six-day course.

The six coaches boasting Level Two certificates are Julien Onezime, Nichol Lesperance, James Camille, Jean-Paul Ah-kong, Marie-Ange Bouchereau and Derrick Andrew.

Viona Julie, Jones Mangroo, Brigitte Rose, Shelton Fred, Dolores Joubert, Nathalie Agnes, Kevin Mémé, François Magloire, Steve Forte, Michael Jean and Danny Laramé are the new coaches with Level One certificate.

Instructor Denis, who is also known to be one of Seychelles’ best coaches after guiding the country’s men’s team to winning the Fourth Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) gold medal on home soil in 1993, said that he was impressed with the 11 participants even though it was not easy to work with them because he knows all of them.

“They were all successful in the written ad practical examinations and there was no need for any one of them to do the oral test to garner some more points. They all worked hard during the course and I expect them to work harder with their teams to improve the level of volleyball here,” said Denis.

François Magloire was the best participant, finishing first in the practical assessment and joint-first with Nathalie Agnes in the theoretical examination.

Magloire, 31 and who plays for BVC United in the men’s second division, told Sports Nation that “we learned a lot during a tough week. We shared ideas and encouraged each other to be successful. I thank instructor Denis and all those who made this course possible.”

As for Cascade’s 21-year-old emerging star player Agnes, she said that “we learned new things and we went over the basics in volleyball which many of us tend to take for granted. Neglecting the basics of any sport during matches leads to players committing mistakes and thus defeats.”
Both Magloire and Agnes received volleyballs for their good performances.

Speaking during the certificate presentation ceremony, Seychelles Volleyball Federation (SF) chairman Justin Freminot urged the certificate holders to share their newly acquired knowledge.

He also asked them to aim high in life ad he took the example of instructor Denis who started as player and is now teaching the game in many parts of the world.

“It is a fact that instructor Denis will retire one day and I don’t want you to retire with him. Think positive as the Level One certificate is just the beginning for you,” said the local volleyball boss who also thanked the employers for releasing the participants.

The course was organised by the SVF with the assistance of the National Sports Council, The Seychelles National Olympic Committee and FIV.

G. G.