Chapter IX – Alfio, the Coach

Chapter IX

Alfio, the Coach

Saying it was one thing but doing it was another. Luisa and Simone went looking for a team who would take Diego, but all they found was closed doors. “Honestly, I don’t think I can take this responsibility, I’m sorry” was the standard answer, a broken record. To the point that the parents were about to lose all hope. “Maybe we shouldn’t say it” Said Luisa with rage, after yet another useless attempt “I mean, nobody would even notice.” “No – said Simone – there’s nothing to hide. And it would seem to me we’re running from reality. It wouldn’t be fair, especially to Diego.” Until they met Alfio. He used to play in the Roma Junior, he was born in Primavalle with his heart red and yellow. He was a promising footballer, destined to be a star, before a brutal intervention in the penalty area broke his ligaments and his dreams. Alfio’s breakaway ended there, on that damn tuff field, in the suburbs. So he started working at his father’s shop, as an electrical mechanic, but his love for football never stopped and he took some courses to become a young team’s trainer. For three days a week he was the coach and he directed the trainings. The kids had great respect and a bit of awe towards him, this big, tall man. When Luisa and Simone met him, his only words were “No probs. Diego can train with us.” “Sir, did you hear us? He’s diabetic.” “Who cares. If he’s good, if he trains, if he commits, he’s gonna play. If he doesn’t, that’s what the bench is for. Those are the rules. Diabetes or no diabetes.” And so, the next Tuesday, Diego was on the field. He was more excited than he had ever been before. Luisa was going in the lockers room with him, to help, but Alfio stopped her. “Ma’am, now, here, I’m in charge. Diego, get your bag and come with me.” As soon as he got into the lockers’ room, everyone went quiet. “Ok kids, silence now. This is Diego and he’s new. Diego has a problem, a disease called diabetes. If I ever see you treating him any differently than all the other, not getting tight while guarding, not pushing him

or kicking him, or worse, not passing the ball to him, you’re off my field. Are we clear?” “Yes coach” some of them answered. “I can’t hear you.” “Yes coach” shouted the team. Luisa watched the whole training session from the stands. The team ran around the field to warm up, practiced some technical skills with the pins, some shoots and then they had a little match - eight versus eight. Diego was amazing! He followed all the instructions coach Alfio gave him and when somebody in his team scored, he was the first to cheer. At the end of the training session Luisa went over to the lockers room again as she had seen Diego was tired and she wanted to help him get dressed. “What did I say?” Said Alfio. “This is my reign. Now Diego is going to take a shower and when he’s ready he’s going to come out. Showers are part of the training, is where they bond” Ten minutes went by and Diego came out of fresh and clean. He was radiant. “So, how was it?” “Good!” “What did the coach say?” “Nothing, or maybe he did, but he speaks in a weird way, I don’t really understand him” “Ahò, Diego!” the coach was calling him from the field where he was starting to train the older team. “Yes?” “You’ve been great. See ya on Friday” At dinner Diego was so excited, he kept telling Simone how fun it was to run around the field with the ball at his feet. “Didn't you get too tired?” “No, but for a moment I couldn’t chase Riccardo. He’s so fast!” “And it was your first time. Maybe you didn’t have enough breath.” “Yeah, now I remember, that’s what the coach said: Diego don’t worry, you’re out of practice, it’s normal.” And that was the magic word. For the first time, a former promising footballer, an electrical mechanic who spoke in a weird way, understood what Diego needed: he made him feel like an athlete, he pushed him, encouraged him just like he did with anybody else. And he had told him: “It’s normal”.

Team Novo Nordisk delegation delivery to Pope Francis the official team jersey

The Novo Nordisk Team is proof that diabetes can be managed optimally and should not represent an obstacle for those who have ambitions. “ We are proud that we could meet the Pope at such a special event as World Diabetes Day. It’ll be encouraging for the team, it’ll make them race even better and they will be a great example for diabetics everywhere. “

Phil Southerland CEO of Team Novo Nordisk