He took a one-year break after top and tropic years with the ladies of SCHC. Meanwhile, Lucas Judge is back in the dugout, with the Nijmegen men’s team. In the Promotion Division, in other words. Even after the topper against Tilburg (5-3 victory) and are therefore in joint first place with twelve points.
It was clear beforehand that Sunday would not be easy for Judge’s men. They had to visit the number three of the competition, Tilburg, which until that moment was still unbeaten. In an exciting game the guests eventually proved to be just a little stronger and managed to secure a 5-3 victory thanks to late goals by Tijn Stuve and Dylan Wotherspoon.
In the autumn sunshine after the game, Judge said he was especially pleased with the way his team played out the match. ‘Last week we failed to decide the match early, keeping it exciting until the end. Fortunately today we were able to push through and made it 3-5, which decided the game.’
Judge with Nijmegen striker Dylan Wotherspoon. Photo: Joris Verwijst/Orange Pictures
Back from the lee
The former international stressed that at this stage of the competition he is especially happy with the progress his team is making. ‘If we learn from our mistakes and show steps in that the following week, then at this point I am happier with that than with a victory.’
Still, the victory will do the experienced coach good. Tilburg competed in the playoffs for promotion to the big league last year, while the Nijmegen men themselves were relegated from that level. Simply put, these are two teams that are expected to be at the top in the spring.
Judge is back after a season in the doldrums. In June 2024, he retired through the side door from SCHC, where he was head coach for four years. A few weeks earlier, the Australian born had lost the final of the playoffs for the third time with his team. Still, he does not look back on his period in Bilthoven with a sour feeling. ‘We won several awards and I had a time that I still think back on with pleasure. I still have a warm heart for SCHC.’
Judge at SCHC. Photo: Willem Vernes
‘Coaching is where my heart is’
He took a gap year, during which field hockey took a back seat. Judge was not a head coach last season, although he was on the field from time to time. Last winter, for instance, with the HDM men’s team. There he acted as a sparring partner for the staff, who were fighting relegation with the team from The Hague. ‘Such a gap year I can recommend to all my colleagues,’ laughs the coach. ‘I put the year to good use, you could say. I spent a lot of time with my family, went back to Australia and did a marathon and a Hyrox.’
That he would return along the line, Judge was certain. ‘Coaching is where my heart is. I had a lot of conversations over the past year, but the conclusion was always that I want to continue with it.’
Photo: Joris Verwijst/Orange Pictures
The blue dream
And as a result, the former striker was back in the spotlight for the first time in March. That’s when Nijmegen enthusiastically announced the arrival of Judge, who would succeed Rob Haantjes in the Walloon city starting the new season. At that moment it was still unclear whether Nijmegen would play in the Promotion League or the big league.
For Judge, however, that made no difference. ‘I chose this club because I enjoy their vision, the blue dream. As a club they want to grow into structural top field hockey, both for the ladies and the men. I felt I could contribute something to that. That’s why I chose this adventure.’
Judge doesn’t think the difference between working for a women’s and men’s team is that big. ‘Although of course there are.’ Smiling: ‘I’ve gotten that question a lot lately. Besides, I have been a coach with the men of Oranje-Rood in the past, so men’s coaching is not really new for me.’
Photo: Joris Verwijst/Orange Pictures
‘He is direct,’ says striker Kars Schreuders, good for Nijmegen’s first goal on Sunday. ‘If Lucas thinks something is bad, he will say so, but I personally like that way of coaching. He lies well in the group and so far he likes it very much.’
The striker, who has already scored five goals in the league, also sees that it is nice that the team can now look forward a bit more, now that they are playing a lower level. ‘Last year it was mainly defending, now we can attack more. As a striker that is sometimes quite nice, but still the goal remains to get back into the big league as soon as possible.’
by Hockey.nl
