Only a very brief wait earlier than one of the vital particular weeks within the membership’s historical past begins for Houten. Beginning Sunday, Europe’s best abilities will spend six days on the fields of the Utrecht membership throughout the Rabo 8-nations U16. The match for nationwide groups as much as 16 years of age might be given additional sparkle by their native hero in aim for the Dutch group.
‘We nonetheless should get the flags from the sphere hockey affiliation. Between the grounds and the parking zone, there’ll nonetheless be an entrance gate. And we nonetheless have to alter our ‘fries with’ into ‘french fries’. However in any other case we’re fully prepared for it. Let the groups come.
As she utters that final sentence, Houten chairman Sonja van der Deure seems out over her membership’s advanced. There are some Dutch nationwide group shirts strolling round Houten’s fields, however on this Tuesday evening they’re nonetheless simply being worn by their very own Boys Underneath 16 group. ‘Saturday a lot of the groups are coming right here. I perceive that the Belgian groups are already within the space, they practice first at Kampong. Completely high quality after all. There may also be many groups staying in Utrecht.’ A look out the window: ‘Though I believe the Van der Valk across the nook may also be fully filled with subject hockey gamers the subsequent few days.’
So at least sixteen groups might be strolling round Houten from the weekend. From Spain to Scotland and from Germany to Eire. All of them will carry their finest gamers underneath the age of sixteen to the membership, within the shadow of Utrecht. Houten – with a few thousand members – has turn out to be a family identify within the prime hockey panorama. Its first senior groups will each play within the Overgangsklasse subsequent season. The very best youth groups within the nationwide (pre)competitions.
The boys of the Netherlands Underneath 16. Picture: Willem Vernes
No baseball gamers, language English
However extra importantly, Houten has turn out to be a daily venue for subject hockey affiliation occasions. Finals of the Silver Cup, the nationwide Sevens championships and the NK Underneath 14, amongst others, have been held right here lately. As well as, the Orange Girls used the affiliation as a coaching location this yr. ‘For subsequent season the NK Trimhockey is already fastened,’ says Van der Deure. ‘The sphere hockey affiliation approached us this fall, asking concerning the 8-nations match. That was assigned to the Netherlands and so they have been considering of us as a venue.’
‘We wished that,’ provides Bart van Thiel, board member for Youth and Efficiency. ‘So we confirmed that we are able to arrange huge occasions. There are two pretty new water fields right here, each solely a yr and a half outdated. They’re each outfitted with a video tower. We luckily have loads of parking and, after all, are centrally positioned within the nation. I think about these components all performed a job within the allocation. One other plus: not like the South, it’s not but a trip right here. The membership continues to be alive, everybody continues to be within the nation.’
Organizationally, that additionally introduced a problem. For Houten is an omniclub and shares its lodging with the native athletics and baseball affiliation. ‘We requested months in the past in the event that they didn’t wish to use the clubhouse subsequent week. They have been high quality with that. They will after all use their very own fields, however the clubhouse will quickly be a part of the match. Our largest process was bar staffing. It has by no means occurred earlier than that we’ve got the bar open from early to late for every week. Solely we nonetheless should get used to the truth that the principle language of communication might be English.’
And the Ladies Underneath 16. photograph: Willem Vernes
‘We hope our youth will see what you possibly can obtain in subject hockey at a younger age,’ says Van Thiel. ‘It’s an encouragement to maintain going. Prepare laborious and have enjoyable. Due to course it’s weird how effectively these youngsters can play subject hockey who will quickly be standing right here. We’re conscious that the best abilities in Europe are standing right here.’ After considering for a second: ‘Most of those that take part are fifteen or sixteen years outdated. In six years time they might be among the many world’s finest. We will definitely see a few of them on the Olympic Video games in 2032. Isn’t that nice? Who doesn’t need that at their membership?
Thijmen Peek, The Pleasure of Houten
{That a} step to the nationwide youth is de facto doable, proves Thijmen Peek. The satisfaction of Houten. Their private, sixteen-year-old signee from the Underneath 18-1. Particularly subsequent week. Peek is – as the one participant of the membership – chosen for the match. ‘That after all makes the story for us much more stunning. Thijmen is an actual membership boy, who has been by all of the groups right here,’ says Van der Deure. ‘I even coached him,’ Van Thiel echoes proudly. ‘At first we thought it was a pity that he began enjoying goalie, as a result of he was additionally a very good fielder. However on reflection it was a implausible transfer. I perceive that he would be the first goalkeeper on his group. So we’re going to see him in motion rather a lot.’
Thijmen Peek, Houten’s Match Pleasure. Picture: Willem Vernis
It is going to – sadly for Houten – even be the final minutes of their prime expertise on their very own subject. Thijmen goes to Kampong after this season. There he can turn out to be goalkeeper at Boys Underneath 18-1. Too unhealthy for us, however we grant it to him wholeheartedly. Hopefully we may give him the very best farewell and let him go away right here on Saturday with a gold match medal. That might make the week fully unforgettable.’
On Sunday, Monday and Wednesday the pool matches will happen in Houten. Friday (semifinals) and Saturday (finals) the battle for the medals is scheduled. Kids as much as twelve years outdated have free entry. Twelve to seventeen-year-olds pay 2.50 euros admission. Adults pay 5 euros per day. A passe-partout for the entire week prices 20 euros. Examine all the information on the sphere hockey.nl app underneath the heading ‘extra’ after which ‘occasions.’
