Darren Fleurent

Darren Fleurent is currently an active Special Olympics Basketball and Volleyball coach for the Greater New Bedford Special Olympics Team.  In the past, he has coached track and  field, and is a Unified Partner in Softball.       

Not only has Darren been a Special Olympics coach for six years, but he has been associated with the program almost all of his life.  His youngest brother Daniel, with Down Syndrome has been involved in Special Olympics MA since the age of six. Driven by this and his great love of sports, Darren began his involvement when he was 16, as a Unified Partner. It is clear that Darren’s lifelong participation with the program has brought him to where he is today. 

Overall, Darren feels that all of his efforts coaching for Special Olympics are extremely worthwhile and rewarding.  Seeing the athletes’ anticipation prior to State Tournaments gives Darren the reassurance that his coaching has made a positive impact on his athletes’ love of the sport.  He feels the enjoyment had by everyone makes all the hard work worthwhile. 

Darren believes in always encouraging his athletes to try their best and above all, have fun.  When faced with a discouraged athlete after a loss, he tries to emphasize the fact that the most important thing is that they tried their hardest, and had fun in the process.  He asks “Did you try your best?” and “Did you have fun?” these questions always being answered with a “yes,” simply reiterate his motto towards competition, weighing effort and enjoyment much more than wins and losses.   

Each and every year Darren has spent coaching have been extremely rewarding and memorable.  However, he particularly enjoyed when his teams were able to play at half-time at a couple of Boston Celtics games. As well as attending Boston Red Sox games together.  “One of my fondest Special Olympics memories is from the Red Sox game we were invited to take part in the pre-game ceremonies.  We were on the field waiting for the Red Sox starters to meet us on the field for the National Anthem.  Dustin Pedroia ran out from the dugout and had his hand outstretched to greet our second baseman from about 10 feet away. The smile on his face was so big that I wasn’t quite sure who was more excited about the moment, Dustin or our second baseman.”

As an experienced coach, Darren’s extensive knowledge of what it means to be a Special Olympics coach would be beneficial to many new or aspiring coaches.  He states “As coaches we need to lead by example and let our athletes know that Special Olympics is about trying your best, competing with sportsmanship, and most importantly, playing together as a team while having fun.”  This discerning advice clearly exemplifies Darren’s understanding and love for coaching for Special Olympics.    

“We are so grateful to have volunteer coaches like Darren,” says Megan Benevides, SOMA’s associate south section director. “With his support and leadership individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Greater New Bedford communities have the opportunities of a life time. We thank him from the bottom of our hearts.”