Highlighting a volunteer, someone who gives without expecting anything in return, who thrives on thank-yous, occasional victories, and sometimes fleeting recognition. Let’s share a moment celebrating Aude GEORGELIN, honored by the city of Brest.
17:45 – Brest – Richelieu Salon – Friday, November 14, 2023 – annual sports volunteer awards ceremony. At the base of the large bay window of this grand Second Empire salon with its 15-meter-high ceiling, the Christmas village bustles in Place de la Liberté. Below, the Rue de Siam stretches languidly towards the Recouvrance Bridge, its castle, and Brest harbor. On a clear day, we might even spot the floodlights of Fenway Park. But it’s the off-season, and in this salon, an audience of several hundred people awaits to honor Brest’s sports associations.
18:00, the panel of association and municipal officials, along with Brest’s brightest stars, is in place and kicks off the event under the auspices of Mr. CUILLANDRE, the city’s mayor.
In the softball row, the tension is already palpable. It rises with each name of the winners announced. The organizers of the Brest Urban Trail, a roller skating club president, and a historic archery coach are among those honored. Naturally, the sea is represented, with the sails of Ponant and sea rowing teams rewarded. Basketball, football… as the ceremony progresses, the tension becomes unbearable.
19:11, the announcer declares: « For her active participation in the Saint-Marc secular center, particularly with the softball section, the 2023 sports volunteer merit award goes to Madame Aude ‘Moon’ GEORGELIN. » Joy erupts from the FLSM (Saint-Marc secular center) bench. Genuine, intense, and heartfelt joy for Coach ‘Moon,’ who stands up and makes her way to the stage. She is accompanied by Mr. Gwénael TREGO (a member of the center’s board and an excellent softball player). He recounts in a few lines the remarkable work of our coach. With over forty years of service to both the small and large ball sports. First in the Paris region and, for more than a decade, in Brest. It’s a lifetime of commitment, sacrifices, thousands of hours on and beside the fields, thousands of kilometers on the roads of France and Europe for our sport. We are all moved, happy, and proud in this memorable and historic moment for the section.
19:30 – the coach relaxes, the tension eases, and smiles take over. This ceremony is a recognition for a person and a personality in our sport and, of course, in Brest sports. But it’s also a recognition of softball within the Brest sports microcosm. This daily involvement, combined with the unwavering support of the secular center and its board for many years, has led to the creation of a grass field (inaugurated in 2019) at the marine sports complex. (After more than 30 years of presence of our bat sports in the city of Ponant). And then, a few months later, a renovated gymnasium, the Petit Kerzu, where, like handball and basketball, the lines of a softball field are marked on the floor. These are all positive signals for our activity, our passion, and a stellar spotlight for our coach.
The final word: keep it simple: bravo, thank you, we are proud of you, Coach Moon.
Live from Brest for BaseballTVFrance –
Laurent Charbonneau
