Hall Season – Avanti 2 vs DOS ’46 3
This week included the final farewell to Coops, Cam, Coops’ Mum (who has been here visiting) and Coco the Bear. I’m sure over the coming weeks the house in The Bridge a.k.a. Dieverbrug will become a much more silent place. Unless I start having conversations with myself! It is very easy to let the days slip away watching locals ride their bikes while leading their horses (only in the Netherlands right!). Planning is definitely required to ensure each day is productive. Fortunately with learning Dutch, exercise, Achilles rehabilitation, personal development work, Korfball and a bit of writing there doesn’t seem to be a lot of spare time to perfect ones thumb-twiddling abilities.
It has also been six months since my last day of paid work back in New Zealand! My clinic is now asking when I will be back to start work again! As much as I love being a physiotherapist and having the ability to help others enjoy their lives more without the restriction of their injury; having the freedom to focus on projects I have always wanted to spend time on has been very liberating. There have been many stories around the world of people whom have traveled to discover what is truly important to them. I don’t think you have to travel to make such an exploration but not being caught up in that nine to five lifestyle you escape while traveling certainly makes it easier and a heck of a lot more fun!
Now being the lone kiwi here I feel it is even more important I put as much time, effort and focus, as I am capable into learning all I can from the Korfball family at DOS ’46. As I have said many times I feel lucky to be surrounded by the Korfball knowledge at DOS ’46 and to be provided with the opportunities I have had. This week was no exception and also reinforced to me that you have to put yourself into the right place to take advantage of chances that may fall your way.
With the club struggling due to a number of players being out injured, including two ACL ruptures for members of the A-selection, players have been shuffled up to fill the gaps. My fourth team was unable to have enough players to train this week and we had to defer our game from this weekend until next year. This didn’t stop me from turning up and shooting as per normal, joining with the third team. I also had the opportunity to fill a gap and have 30 minutes shooting with the A-selection. Certainly a bit of fun being surrounded by players with infinitely more Korfball experience than I have. The third team also required an extra player for the weekend. I was giving a chance to travel with them as a substitute to Pijnacker near Den Haag.
The drive from Nijeveen to Pijnacker is about two hours. Plenty of time to stare out the window and marvel at the complete lack mountains in the Netherlands, at least the geographical kind. There are certainly plenty of human mountains here from my perspective at least.
Pijnacker held special significance for one of the third team members Lars Van Erp, who became a Netherlands junior field champion at this ground in 2012 with DOS ’46 A1. For me this journey was just about experiencing Reserve Hoofdklasse Korfball (which is only two steps down from the Korfball League), even if it was from the bench, it was still a chance to learn more.
The game started impressively with the first three shots all scoring and it did not take long for both teams scores to continue climbing evenly. It was a notable step up in precision and quality from the level I normally play. DOS ’46 began to struggle though as the makeshift team was unable to keep up the scoring rate of our opponents from Avanti. Being timed-out on the shot clock a few times was also a telling sign that today would not be our day. Apart from a very dry 10-minute period in the second half, both teams scored frequently. Unfortunately for DOS ’46, Avanti’s scoring was more consistent. After the game was beyond our reach I was subbed on for five minutes of fun in Reserve Hoofdklasse. It must have looked hilarious as the guy I was marking was the true definition of a Dutch berg (mountain). At best the top of my hoofd (head) was maybe at the level of his armpits. Final score 34-20.
Being a shorter player in a tall persons sport means that this situation will be one I must get used to. I will challenge myself to learn how to position myself more effectively against taller players. This was something I could do back in New Zealand against less experienced players but here I will need to be much smarter to achieve good results against very experienced players.
There is nothing like a challenge to make you lift yourself to new levels. My moto engraved on to the back of my iPod is ‘Challenge Yourself, No Excuses’. I might need some encyclopedias to stand on to lift me high enough to take on these tall challenges but there is nothing like having knowledge under your feet to help you reach your goals.
Tot Volgende Week,
Lorenzo
PS – Active Health I will be back maybe in late April or early May.
This week included the final farewell to Coops, Cam, Coops’ Mum (who has been here visiting) and Coco the Bear. I’m sure over the coming weeks the house in The Bridge a.k.a. Dieverbrug will become a much more silent place. Unless I start having conversations with myself! It is very easy to let the days slip away watching locals ride their bikes while leading their horses (only in the Netherlands right!). Planning is definitely required to ensure each day is productive. Fortunately with learning Dutch, exercise, Achilles rehabilitation, personal development work, Korfball and a bit of writing there doesn’t seem to be a lot of spare time to perfect ones thumb-twiddling abilities.
It has also been six months since my last day of paid work back in New Zealand! My clinic is now asking when I will be back to start work again! As much as I love being a physiotherapist and having the ability to help others enjoy their lives more without the restriction of their injury; having the freedom to focus on projects I have always wanted to spend time on has been very liberating. There have been many stories around the world of people whom have traveled to discover what is truly important to them. I don’t think you have to travel to make such an exploration but not being caught up in that nine to five lifestyle you escape while traveling certainly makes it easier and a heck of a lot more fun!
Now being the lone kiwi here I feel it is even more important I put as much time, effort and focus, as I am capable into learning all I can from the Korfball family at DOS ’46. As I have said many times I feel lucky to be surrounded by the Korfball knowledge at DOS ’46 and to be provided with the opportunities I have had. This week was no exception and also reinforced to me that you have to put yourself into the right place to take advantage of chances that may fall your way.
With the club struggling due to a number of players being out injured, including two ACL ruptures for members of the A-selection, players have been shuffled up to fill the gaps. My fourth team was unable to have enough players to train this week and we had to defer our game from this weekend until next year. This didn’t stop me from turning up and shooting as per normal, joining with the third team. I also had the opportunity to fill a gap and have 30 minutes shooting with the A-selection. Certainly a bit of fun being surrounded by players with infinitely more Korfball experience than I have. The third team also required an extra player for the weekend. I was giving a chance to travel with them as a substitute to Pijnacker near Den Haag.
The drive from Nijeveen to Pijnacker is about two hours. Plenty of time to stare out the window and marvel at the complete lack mountains in the Netherlands, at least the geographical kind. There are certainly plenty of human mountains here from my perspective at least.
Pijnacker held special significance for one of the third team members Lars Van Erp, who became a Netherlands junior field champion at this ground in 2012 with DOS ’46 A1. For me this journey was just about experiencing Reserve Hoofdklasse Korfball (which is only two steps down from the Korfball League), even if it was from the bench, it was still a chance to learn more.
The game started impressively with the first three shots all scoring and it did not take long for both teams scores to continue climbing evenly. It was a notable step up in precision and quality from the level I normally play. DOS ’46 began to struggle though as the makeshift team was unable to keep up the scoring rate of our opponents from Avanti. Being timed-out on the shot clock a few times was also a telling sign that today would not be our day. Apart from a very dry 10-minute period in the second half, both teams scored frequently. Unfortunately for DOS ’46, Avanti’s scoring was more consistent. After the game was beyond our reach I was subbed on for five minutes of fun in Reserve Hoofdklasse. It must have looked hilarious as the guy I was marking was the true definition of a Dutch berg (mountain). At best the top of my hoofd (head) was maybe at the level of his armpits. Final score 34-20.
Being a shorter player in a tall persons sport means that this situation will be one I must get used to. I will challenge myself to learn how to position myself more effectively against taller players. This was something I could do back in New Zealand against less experienced players but here I will need to be much smarter to achieve good results against very experienced players.
There is nothing like a challenge to make you lift yourself to new levels. My moto engraved on to the back of my iPod is ‘Challenge Yourself, No Excuses’. I might need some encyclopedias to stand on to lift me high enough to take on these tall challenges but there is nothing like having knowledge under your feet to help you reach your goals.
Tot Volgende Week,
Lorenzo
PS – Active Health I will be back maybe in late April or early May.