The good old days, the glory days… Anne-Marie Wirtz-Adrien ‘Being part of the athletics family is one of my greatest satisfactions’ |05 April 2022
Anne-Marie following a level 2 in athletics coaching course
A fortnight ago, we were privileged to have our first female in this series and it was no other than former Olympian and Seychelles sprint record holder Marie-Ange Wirtz Woodcock and in today’s sixth sequence published fortnightly under the heading ‘The good old days, the glory days…’ we meet Marie-Ange’s elder sister Anne-Marie Wirtz-Adrien.
Unlike Marie-Ange, Anne-Marie did not get the opportunity despite a very good middle distance runner to compete at neither the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Athletics nor the Olympics.
In fact, Anne-Marie was good in netball, hockey and track and field athletics and she told Sports NATION that “being part of the athletics’ family is one of my greatest satisfactions”.
Early years
Being physically fit at that time was something normal, as they had to walk to school every day.
From far up-hill in Bel Air (Curio Road) to Ste Thérèse School and Ste Agnes secondary (now La Rosière primary) was the everyday walk. But most of the time Anne-Marie and her sisters could be seen running. About 35 minutes to reach school and around 50 minutes to get back home.
“Without realising it, I had developed my physical abilities in endurance and speed. Not forgetting, my sisters also were fit. They were good runners,” said Anne-Marie.
How it started
At primary school in the late 1960s, Anne-Marie was very active in all sporting activities and looked forward for the physical education (PE) classes. At the secondary school level in the early 1970s, things got serious as she was practising two sports – netball and athletics.
“Training was mostly after class hours, and sometimes on Saturday mornings. Where athletics is concerned my best event was 400m. I did enjoy participating in that event. All school competitions were held at the Mont Fleuri playing field (barefoot in the mud). I participated in several athletics events just to score points for my school. I once took part in a road race from the Seychelles Breweries factory in Le Rocher to the Seychelles College playing field (now Mont Fleuri secondary school). Just imagine around 3pm running bare foot and I won the race in my age category,” said Anne-Marie.
As for netball, Anne-Marie said they had a very good team ‒ The Skyscrapers ‒ coached by Unicy Bonnelame.
“We defeated all the secondary school teams, so she (Mrs Bonnelame) registered us to play with top netball teams like Rangers and Rovers. It was a big challenge as their players were older and taller, but we gave them a run for their money.”
Then (in 1977), Anne-Marie joined the Senior Secondary School and became a member of the school’s athletics club. She also became very active in Seychelles’ world of sport and was later selected to be part of the country’s athletics national team.
At that time she also started following short courses in athletics officiating with Giovanna Rousseau and played hockey for the school team.
Being part of the Seychelles athletics national team, she started serious training three times a week as the First Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) were fast approaching.
“We had a Russian as coach ‒ Evans Dubograev. Training was very tough and most of us were not eating a good diet to be able to perform to the maximum, but with determination we trained. We were given spike shoes. I had tremendous pain on both of my shins. But then after about a week, I got used to running in spike shoes,” recalled Anne-Marie.
First Indian Ocean Islands Games in 1979
The First IOIG in Reunion in 1979 was Anne-Marie’s first international outing and she won a bronze medal in the 800m race, finishing behind the Nairac sisters of Mauritius ‒ Annabelle won the gold medal and her younger sister Josianne claimed the silver. The Nairac sisters went on to claim a one-two finish in the 1500m race.
As for Anne-Marie, she got injured running the 800m and could not compete in the 1500m and 4 x 400m relay the following day.
My career
That same year (1979), Anne-Marie started working as a physical education (PE) instructor at the English River and St Paul’s schools (Freedom Square). She was there for two years before being awarded a scholarship in August 1981 to go to Cuba to further her studies in physical education and sports.
“It was a bit hard to make a decision. The question was: Do I really want to be an athlete or should I pursue further education to later be able to help my family? Remember, I come from a poor family. With the help of family and friends the decision was made and I went to Cuba,” explained Anne-Marie.
“Upon my return to Seychelles in 1986, I worked at the then Seychelles Polytechnic as a physical education instructor. Later in 1989, I was transferred to the National Youth Service and my priorities were to train and encourage the young talents to join athletics. We had good athletes at the National Youth Service at that time. I worked at the National Youth Service until it closed down in 1998,” explained Anne-Marie.
Anne-Marie the athletics coach and official
With her career as an athlete over and having acquired skills in physical education during her studies which she put into practice with her students at the Polytechnic and National Youth Service, Anne-Marie decided to follow International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) coaching courses.
“I got my level one and two certificates in middle and long distance running and started to train young athletes for local and regional competitions. I was also officiating at competitions,” said Anne-Marie.
Meanwhile, she continued playing hockey for her district team Bel Air and formed part of the Seychelles national hockey team. They participated in regional competitions against Reunion and Mauritius. She was also voted the best hockey player in 1988.
Since Anne-Marie’s dream was to have a family, she stopped coaching and concentrated on raising her two daughters ‒ Sharon and Shirley ‒ and family building.
“To be a mother and wife is not an easy task but with God’s grace I have managed,” said Anne-Marie.
She was not done entirely with athletics as four years ago she followed Level 1 and 2 coursesin officiating and is now officiating at local athletics competitions.
Advice for the youth
Having also worked with the Seychelles National Youth Council’s (SNYC) Young Citizens programme, Anne-Marie has a very good rapport with the youth and she has a message for them especially those who are involved in sports.
“Sports goes with discipline and determination and many more values if you really want to win. Youth of today, you have a lot of opportunities to excel. Facilities are available everywhere. But then on I agree that you need good examples and support from parents, relatives and friends. This is because winning is a collective effort from everyone.”
Compiled by Gerard Govinden
