Dutch Women Softball Team

2011

Mannessen Flex Coach & Coordinator

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Veteran coach to assist Montvidas in Youth Program

Nederlandse tekst

NIEUWEGEIN (Netherlands) - In September, veteran softball-coach Berend Mannessen has been added to the staff of the Dutch National Softball Teams as a Flex Coach, then his assignment became official in October. Mannessen, who led the team of UVV this season to promotion to the Dutch big league, will assist the existing coaching staff of the Dutch National Softball Team, as well as the Dutch Junior Teams as an assistant coach and instructor during games and practices.
Besides being a Flex Coach, Mannessen also will assist National Team Program-Supervisor Craig Montvidas in coordinating the programs regarding the National Youth Teams, such as the organisation of try-out sessions.

In 2011, Berend Mannessen already assisted several times as a coach. In February of 2011, he was the coach of Team White (one of the Junior White Teams), which then participated in the second Right To Play Future Stars Tournament in Amsterdam. On May 15, Berend is the Head Coach of the Holland All Stars, a team compiled of players from the two top leagues that plays against the Dutch National Softball Team in the opening double-header of the Holland Tour.
In July, Berend assisted during the final preparations of the Dutch National Team before the European Championship in Italy. And on September 28 (photo right), Mannessen coordinated the try-out of the preliminary selection of the Dutch Junior White Team for the 2012 season.

As a coach, Mannessen coached at Hoofddorp Pioniers for several years before making his debut in the Dutch big league, being the Assistant Coach at DSC '74 (which later became Olympia Haarlem). Mannessen went to be the Head Coach of DSC '74 in three big league-seasons, then led Alphians for one season.

In 1995, Berend Mannessen returned back to Hoofddorp Pioniers and there he would lead the women softball-team for thirteen more seasons. After not being active for one year, he returned in the coaching box in 2009. He then coached the Haarlem-squad of DSS, whom he led in his first season to the championship in the 'Overgangsklasse', resulting in promotion to the Dutch big league. In the following season, DSS returned to the highest level after a 24-year absence, but then relegated again. Mannessen left the club as coach and then was named Head Coach for the 2011 season of the softball-team of UVV. And there, he also was succesfull, as he reached the Promotion/Relegation Play-Off with UVV and promoted to the big league. After a sweep against Centrals, promotion was a reality, but then Mannessen resigned after the season as coach.

Go for more information to Berend's personal page on this site.