13.10.2015, Brussels; At 3pm today the KNHB announced Australian All Star Alyson Annan as the new coach of the Dutch Women, following on from Sjoerd Marijne.
Arno den Hartog, the technical director KNHB said : “Based on the interviews and her record as a coach and player Alyson we concluded that the best candidate to succeed Sjoerd as coach of the Dutch national team Dames. The goal is to maintain the lead and both the team and to make better individual players. I want to thank hockey Amsterdam for the dissolution of the current contract as a trainer / coach from Amsterdam Heren 1 and allow this this step for Alyson. ”
Alyson Annan, coach Dutch National Team Ladies: “It’s an honor to be head coach of the Dutch national team Dames. I set myself the objective to prepare optimally the Orange Women at the Olympics and to get the most out of the team. In addition, I would like to make not only the team better, but all the players themselves. I am of course not alone, along with the hockey association we see how the staff will look. Monday I start with the Dutch National Team Ladies, we start with the group that was preparing for the EuroHockey Championships last summer. The training group is not yet final, the next time I go there I will make decisions about that. ”
Fons Fonteijn board top hockey Amsterdamsche H & BC said “For Amsterdam this appointment two sides. On the one hand we are proud that one of our head coaches will make a contribution to the Dutch hockey and is committed to a gold medal at the Olympics in Rio. On the other hand, this is a line through the bill of our elite sport. We lose not only the coach of our men’s first team but also a dedicated person whom we saw as a head coach for our entire team. But that’s sport, that’s all in the game. We support Alyson wholeheartedly and try to find a good solution. Annan remains engaged as trainer / coach from Amsterdam Heren 1 until 15 November 2015. If the board of Amsterdam finds a replacement sooner, Annan stops earlier. ”
Alyson won the hearts and minds during the 2014 EuroHockey Junior Championships in Waterloo with a strong sharing knowledge feeling with other not so fortunate teams, the photograph below is a testament to her willingness to combine competition with the joy of an Under 21 EuroHockey event as both the Dutch and Czech teams came together after their game to celebrate hockey!
Main Photograph: Alyson Annan (Koen Sluyk (C)