This weekend, all standard competitions will start. That brings familiar faces, but also notable changes. Some clubs saw their first teams disappear, others make a comeback after years of absence. We highlight the newcomers and take you on a voyage of discovery from Wassenaar to Sneek.
With a performance by the Hague folk singer Wesley Pronsen, who is sure to sing his biggest hit “Brown Eyes Don’t Cry,” Kieviten will be performing during the first home game of Men’s 1. For the first time since the 2019-2020 season, the Wassenaar club will have a male standard team again. And that will be celebrated. With a party of international allure, as the DJ duo SBHM will provide a smashing party. Old times will be revived, we read on Instagram. Hopefully also inside the lines. Kieviten plays its comeback match in the Third Class B against Eemvallei at 2:45 pm. Extra bait: none other than former international Bram Lomans currently plays for the home team.
In the same class, the Soest men’s team is back after a year’s absence. It meant a busy and heavy preparation with no less than six practice matches. The first was on August 17 against Mierlo. After a trip around the world and a good lunch, a somewhat battered team and substitutes from the youth won 2-1. Both Soest goals came off the stick of Sem La Grouw, a name to keep an eye on. Unfortunately this good start was not followed up yet. Incidentally, the game against Kieviten is scheduled for November 16.
Like Soest, Twente is making its comeback after a year’s absence. In the Third Class D the regional showdown against Bully is scheduled for the second day. Hengelo-Oldenzaal, that should provide some spectacle. The men of Twente are already counting down to the whistle, we read on Instagram. We are incredibly looking forward to it and hope to make it a wonderful season together with you. For ourselves, for you and for the club.’
Hoogeveen has had to wait no less than seven years for the comeback of the first men’s team. ‘The boys are also ready for it,‘ chairman and coach Bouke Lesterhuis recently told field hockey.nl. In the Fourth Class A, Hoogeveen will cross swords this season with other returnees Haackey, after a year’s absence, and Meppel, which last had a Men’s 1 in the 2021-2022 season. The Fourth Class B also features two newcomers with Hoevelaken and Loenen.
At Hoevelaken, club members are being enthused before the first game out against Loenen. The team is calling for friends, family and teammates to bring along so that Hoevelaken plays away games that feel like home games. Loenen, which has a Men’s 1 again for the first time since the 2019-2020 season, speaks with pride and enthusiasm about the team full of young talent. That team should breathe extra life back into Sundays at Loenen with great matches, fighting spirit on the field and conviviality along the line. In short, that bodes well for next Sunday at Loenen-Hoevelaken.
New teams are also welcomed in the ladies. Kampen will kick off the season in the Fourth Class B as early as 11:30 a.m. with a home game against Goor. Sneek returns after a year’s absence with a mixed team in the Fourth Class A, together with Steenwijk, which had no Ladies 1 since 2021-2022. With a large group and a new trainer/coach, the ladies of Steenwijk will not only go for fun, but of course also maximize their sporting performance. Pelikaan makes its comeback after a two-year absence in the Fourth Class E and hosts Teteringen in the opening round. Kickoff is at 12:45 p.m.
by Hockey.nl
