284 days of a Korfball odyssey to the other side of the world.
284 days that has become the most unforgettable journey of my life.
My journey to Nijeveen began by meeting Nico, Lammita and Milanne in New Zealand. They kindly offered to see DOS ’46 would host two crazy kiwi’s wanting to come to the Netherlands to learn more Korfball from the best players and coaches in the world.
Arriving in Nijeveen 284 days ago, Rosa and I were just two lost kiwis about to fill ourselves with new experiences, Dutch culture, Dutch food and of course as much Korfball knowledge as we could fit into our brains. There was the first cycle around Nijeveen with Nico and Lammita seeing Sterrenberg, the Coop, Sportpark Tussenboerslanden and De Eendracht. There was the first Dutch Heineken, frikandel, kroket, stroopwafel and salted herring. At our first Donderdag Meppeldag we were introduced to some of the Dossers and the art of having two fingers of foam on a beer. Meeting players like Sven and Bastian it became obvious just how short we were. Nothing has changed; I still have a great appreciation for just how tall the average Dutch person is.
Learning to drive on the other side of the road, from the other side of the car was another new challenge to conquer. There were definitely some moments where my brain went on autopilot, only to be fast reminded that the gear lever was on my right (not the left as it is in New Zealand), I can’t indicate to turn a corner with my windscreen wipers, and to put my seatbelt on I need to reach over my left shoulder (not the right shoulder). At least there was usually someone else in the car to laugh at my mistakes too.
Gradually we were introduced to many more members of DOS ’46; so many new faces, so many new names to remember. It seemed like an impossible task at the time to remember everyone we were meeting. However, everyone seemed to have no trouble remembering my name, even if many people did not want to say it or shout it on the korfball field. I found out my name sounded very similar to certain Dutch word and if you don’t know the joke already then you probably don’t need to know! These new faces became more familiar every day. Every person we met made such an incredible effort to speak English and to help these strange foreigners feel more at home in Nijeveen. I was also in for a surprise when I was introduced to Herman Van Gunst; he looks like a taller version of my own father!
When the Korfball began it was another new challenge for both the outsiders and the members of DOS ’46 who had to deal two non-Dutch speakers trying to learn the DOS way. Training for the players and trainers of DOS 3 and 4 became instantly more difficult than ever before. I will be eternally grateful to Martijn and Roger for all of their patience and support trying to teach the kiwi korfballers. Having to do parts of team talks in English must have been a strange addition for them. Every player in DOS 3 and 4 must also be thanked for patiently translating instructions during training and games in those early days while we settled in to life at DOS ’46. No doubt due to communication difficulties and much less korfball experience, we were the source of increased frustrations for the players. But they continued to do everything they could to help us settle in and learn a few essential Dutch words. I will always appreciate the extra effort that everyone went to in those early days.
As you all know, unfortunately Rosa had to head back to New Zealand early, leaving this lone kiwi behind. Fortunately by this stage I was feeling much more settled in Nijeveen, having gained a reputation for good skills dancing on tables, wearing short pants and becoming known for my ‘pukana’ (Maori facial expression with your tongue poking out) after performing the Ka Mate haka at DOS Got Talent.
As the Korfball season continued, the learning curve continued to be steep for me. It is very difficult to try and catch up on years of korfball experience in such a short space of time. There were many mistakes along the way but slowly I started to understand more about the game and what I needed to be doing on court and at training. There was less of a need to translate practice drills into English and now I can get through most of training in Dutch without getting lost. During games I began to realize what I was supposed to do, usually a few seconds too late, but sometimes it would make sense and I would be doing the right things at the right time. I relied a lot on the help of my teammates from DOS 4 constantly reminding me what I should be doing. Unfortunately, with the injuries in the club, DOS 4 had a tough year and often didn’t have enough players to play. This was tough on everyone and limited my chance to learn during games. My DOS 4 teammates were great at keeping everything as fun as possible throughout the year and I really appreciate all of the support and advice they gave me throughout my time here. I think I will not understand just how much I have learned until I return to playing Korfball in New Zealand. I also look forward to helping New Zealand Korfball grow with all of the knowledge I have gained from my days here at DOS ‘46.
This was also my first Christmas away from my family. Firstly I was introduced to the Dutch festive tradition of Zwart Piet and Sint Nikolaas, and the international controversy surrounding Zwart Piet! Without family of my own, my new korfball family in Nijeveen took me into their homes during the holiday celebrations. There were two Christmas meals at my new home with Harmen and Margriet, including my first Gourmetten experience and Sjoelen competition. Nico and Lammita also added a special touch with a traditional trifle and pavalova when I joined them for a Christmas meal. Just like back home, there was a lot of fun had and too much food eaten. The excess consumption of food continued at new years with eating too many Oliebollen and Krentenbollen. I also learned just how much the Dutch enjoy making things explode with the fine art of Carbid Schieten and observing just how much the Dutch love fireworks.
Being a physiotherapist I was excited to be able to help the club out by being a physio for A1 as much as I could. Wim and Roger also gave me the chance to physio for the Noord U19 this year, traveling to both the Korfball Challenge and the Junior World Cup. Of course most of the excitement came with being a physio for DOS ’46 A1. After a solid season they battled Fortuna in the cross finals for a place in Ahoy. I had to watch the incredible first game from Dublin as I was away on another of my adventures. For the second and third games I was lucky to travel with the team to Delft, experiencing the elation of winning the tough third game and place in Ahoy. Then that day in Ahoy, wow, what an amazing day that was! The farewell from Nijeveen, the arrival at the holy grail of korfball, the game preparation and experiencing what goes on behind the scenes on Korfball’s big day, all built the excitement for game time. To be a kiwi on the floor in Ahoy and to be part of DOS ’46 A1 becoming champions made the day unforgettable. That day the team lived up to the motto of Eendracht Maakt Macht and it was special to see how the win brought the club together, especially as we arrived back to Nijeveen to such a great reception at the club. I’m certainly very happy to have a gold medal to take back to New Zealand with me.
I have been very privileged to be part of DOS ’46. It feels that instead of just being the crazy kiwi making everyone speak English, I have become that crazy kiwi that is part of the great DOS family. I will always count myself lucky that the opportunity arose to come to Nijeveen after meeting Nico, Lammita and Milanne in New Zealand. As some people have said, this has been one of the toughest years they have ever known at the club, with the injuries and many staff changes (don’t forget having to speak much more English than normal too!). Remember, it is through these tough challenges that you learn and become stronger for the future. DOS ’46 will learn, will grow and will make it back to the Korfball League. DOS ’46 has the korfball knowledge to guide the incredible young talent in the club as they grow and mature into truly top players. Most importantly, DOS ’46 has an amazing club atmosphere that will positively infect anyone lucky enough to become part of the club and the DOS family. The reason why DOS has such a great club feel is that the people that make up the club, the players and the staff, the supporters and those who a prepared to stay in Nijeveen to help fundraising instead of going to Ahoy, all give DOS ‘46 great strength. Success will continue at DOS ’46. With the passion, the work ethic and following the club motto, the golden years will come again.
A final thank you to Harmen and Margriet and also Nico and Lammita for opening the homes to me during my stay here in Nijeveen. Without them I would not have been able to live out this amazing experience. Thanks to the trainers and players of DOS 3, 4 and A1 for putting up with me and providing me with an amazing Korfball experience. Also to Wim and Roger for giving me the chance to join Noord U19. Obviously there are too many people to thank individually but everyone involved with DOS ’46 deserves a big thank you for everything you have done for me. You should continue to be proud of your great club from little Nijeveen. Come see me in New Zealand, you are all more than welcome and will be shown the same hospitality you have all shown me.
My time here at DOS ’46 is over (for now) and I must return to working life in New Zealand. I can truly say that I am a changed person from this experience, learning much from the Dutch way of life and from DOS ’46. I don’t think I will fully appreciate how much the last 284 days have affected me and how much I have learned until I return to New Zealand. I have found a new family and a new home here in Nijeveen. Part of my heart will stay here even after I have gone. I’m already excited to come back to Nijeveen to see you all again, share a beer and remember that time a kiwi came to DOS ’46.
Kia Kaha – Stay Strong
Eendracht Maakt Macht – Unity Is Strength
Tot Volgende Keer
Lorenzo