Teun de Nooijer has been appointed as the new coach of AH&BC Amsterdam’s women’s first team as they look forward to next season’s return to the Euro Hockey League.
De Nooijer is one of world hockey’s most decorated players, winning two EHL titles with Bloemendaal in addition to double Olympic gold and three FIH world player of the year awards.
He replaces Robert Tigges who has taken up a role with Hamburger Polo Club.
Since his playing days, he has been the head coach at Bloemendaal with the women’s side and then was assistant coach with the German women’s side at the Tokyo Olympics.
He is looking forward to linking up with the recently crowned Dutch champions, saying a two-year break from day-to-day coaching has helped grow his perspective.
“In addition to the fact I have remained very involved, especially in my role as an analyst at Viaplay last year, with top hockey in the Netherlands, I think it has been good for me to be able to distance myself a bit,” he told the AH&BC Amsterdam website.
“But being on the field with a team, sharing experiences, helping individuals to get the best out of themselves and perform to the maximum with each other while enjoying their time as a top athlete are a few aspects that make it wonderful to take on this role.
“In addition, there is of course a fantastic team and there is a staff that is very complementary to each other.”
Amsterdam board member Valerie Smit added: “As a Tophockey committee, we are very pleased with the arrival of Teun. Amsterdam is bringing in an enthusiastic and very experienced person who can further develop our ladies in the coming season and guide them in their ambitions. We are very much looking forward to this cooperation.”
