Within the “Wage Hole” collection, we dive into the world of (un)equal salaries in males’s and girls’s subject hockey. On this episode: Rotterdam president Jac Bressers thinks high subject hockey is just too targeted on monetary rewards. Beneath his management, Rotterdam chooses to higher information gamers in constructing a social profession.
Striker Pleasure Haarman signed a contract with Rotterdam in the summertime of 2023, shortly after finishing her grasp’s diploma in america. The membership provided her a market-based charge. An quantity nearer to a volunteer allowance (most 2,100 euros per yr) than a full-time annual wage. However Rotterdam additionally helped her discover a job. By the enterprise membership, Haarman got here into contact with communications consultancy Somention, the place she was employed as Senior Neighborhood Supervisor. This manner, she nonetheless has monetary safety along with her subject hockey profession.
Rotterdam chooses to information gamers of their social careers, as a substitute of focusing completely on narrowing the wage hole. Chairman Jac Bressers: ‘After all the hole in salaries between women and men in subject hockey must be closed. However usually we’re speaking about comparatively small quantities, round 10,000 euros per yr, whenever you speak about feminine and male internationals. As a substitute of focusing solely on eliminating this distinction, we might moderately put money into the way forward for our gamers. A social profession affords them far more advantages in the long run than now just a few thousand euros further per yr.
Striker Pleasure Haarman got here Rotterdam to a job at communications consultancy Somention. Picture: Willem Vernes
A social profession affords them far more long-term advantages than now just a few thousand euros further per yr Rotterdam president Jac Bressers
Among the many males, Rotterdam is the purveyor of the Dutch nationwide crew, with no fewer than eight gamers within the coaching group. As well as, the membership has two Spanish internationals, Joaquín Menini and Marc Recasens, beneath contract. However that doesn’t imply Rotterdam is throwing cash round. Gamers who play golf equipment from the Tulip massive league in opposition to one another to finally be part of the one who affords them the very best wage, should not have to knock on Rotterdam’s door. Bressers: ‘We don’t take part in that rat race. Our internationals earn a aggressive wage, however there is no such thing as a room for it anymore. Gamers select Rotterdam as a result of they need to play right here, not as a result of they will earn probably the most right here.’
Rotterdam affords gamers extra than simply monetary compensation. The membership offers gamers with instruments they will use to put money into their social profession, one thing they may profit from all through their lives as soon as they hold up their stick. This season, Rotterdam launched a twin coach: a specialist who guides gamers in constructing their careers exterior of subject hockey and factors out the varied potentialities. This strategy is much like The Position of Former Worldwide Wietske de Ruiter on the KNHBwho encourages gamers of the Dutch nationwide crew to enter the job market and put together for the longer term exterior the game.
Bressers: ‘Hockey is primary for us, however we encourage gamers to actively put money into their social profession, so long as their high sports activities agenda permits it. For instance, by taking a course or doing a taster internship. Older gamers, who’ve already accomplished their schooling and know what course they need to take, we assist them discover a job. That manner they earn an additional pocket cash, however extra importantly, they achieve precious work expertise, as a substitute of standing nonetheless on the job market.’
Worldwide Thijs van Dam is gaining work expertise at high sports activities community alongside his sporting profession with Rotterdam. Picture: Rob Römer
Thijs van Dam Positive factors Work Expertise
Rotterdam cooperates with Topsportnetwerk, a corporation that guides high athletes in constructing their social profession. Topsportnetwerk affords help to find a job, for instance, but in addition helps when high athletes need to retrain, do an internship or observe programs. The prices for these companies are borne solely by Rotterdam, so gamers themselves should not have to pay something for this steerage.
The strategy is paying off: a number of gamers have already discovered jobs by means of the enterprise membership or Topsportnetwerk. For instance, worldwide Thijs van Dam accomplished his MBO course in business economics in 2018, however then targeted solely on his subject hockey profession. Now he’s gaining work expertise a number of hours every week, nota bene at Topsportnetwerk itself.
Bears Pleasure Haarman, Iris Nikerk, the lately discontinued goalkeeper of Women 1additionally discovered a job by means of Rotterdam’s enterprise membership. She now works at LBC Tank Terminals, as Operational Excellence Officer. One other participant from Women 1 has been provided a job by way of Topsportnetwerk, as has a participant from Males 1. Bressers: ‘The outcomes exceed all our expectations. They affirm that now we have taken the proper path.’
