Netherlands:

It has already been a wonderful field hockey summer for Danique van der Veerdonk. In early June, the 24-year-old Den Bosch player made her Orange debut against Australia in a packed Wagener Stadium. But it could be even better. Last week Van der Veerdonk heard that she has been selected for the European Championship in Mönchengladbach, which starts next week. ‘It happened quickly. It’s hard to realize,’ she says.

She was home alone that Saturday morning when national coach Raoul Ehren announced the EC selection. Her alarm clock was set for 8:45 a.m. Van der Veerdonk wanted to keep the excitement as short as possible. Fifteen minutes later, the message appeared in the group app: the eighteen names and two reserves for Mönchengladbach.

‘I was nervous, but also had the feeling that there was nothing more I could do about it. I did wake up at 7 a.m., but then I fell asleep again. In the end, I only spent 15 minutes in suspense. When I saw my name, I immediately called everyone.

Her joy was great. With her selection, Van der Veerdonk will make her debut at a major final tournament next week. Together with Fay van der Elst and Pam van der Laan, she will make her debut on a major international stage. ‘If you had said three months ago: you’re in the group for the European Championships, I wouldn’t have believed you. When I was called up for the Pro League, I was already happy. And now this comes on top of it. I try to dwell on it, but it’s hard to realize I’m going to play the European Championship.’

WV2025 WV2R8256 - Netherlands: - It has already been a wonderful field hockey summer for Danique van der Veerdonk. In early June, the 24-year-old Den Bosch player made her Orange debut against Australia in a packed Wagener Stadium. But it could be even better. Last week Van der Veerdonk heard that she has been selected for the European Championship in Mönchengladbach, which starts next week. 'It happened quickly. It's hard to realize,' she says.

Danique van der Veerdonk with He Jiangxin during Netherlands-China in the FIH Pro League. Photo: Willem Vernes

Patience and perseverance

Van der Veerdonk starts the EC with six internationals on the counter. But the road to that first international was one of patience and perseverance. For years she hung around the selection. With the Dutch Junior Team and Hockey5s she gained international experience, but a spot in the ‘big’ national team was never forthcoming. Until this season.

And for Van der Veerdonk that feels like a reward for a year full of sacrifice and dedication. ‘My dream was always to make the step up to Oranje. I felt like I was right up against it. But I got older and younger and younger players joined. For me, this season was make or break.’

That realization made her go all out. She made a plan. Worked on herself physically and mentally. ‘I took steps, also in my mindset. I learned what it takes: rest, nutrition, sleep. I dared to play more attacking field hockey. That gave me more self-confidence. And confidence does a lot. I have become faster and more explosive. But I can still develop myself further.’

All this was possible because her studies provided the space. ‘That allowed me to fully focus on field hockey,’ says Van der Veerdonk. But it wasn’t easy. ‘When you’re constantly working on it, you have no distractions. That wasn’t always easy. But yes, if it turns out this way. And if it hadn’t worked out, at least I would have felt I did everything.’

Unforgettable season

It has become a season not soon to be forgotten. On Ascension Day, Van der Veerdonk won the national title with Den Bosch, after previously winning the EHL with the club. She then received an invitation to the Pro League from Ehren. Eleven days later, she made her debut in the Orange. Two months later, the European Championship was a fact.

WV2025 WV2R1168 - Netherlands: - It has already been a wonderful field hockey summer for Danique van der Veerdonk. In early June, the 24-year-old Den Bosch player made her Orange debut against Australia in a packed Wagener Stadium. But it could be even better. Last week Van der Veerdonk heard that she has been selected for the European Championship in Mönchengladbach, which starts next week. 'It happened quickly. It's hard to realize,' she says.

Danique van der Veerdonk in a duel with Courtney Schonell during Netherlands-Australia in the FIH Pro League. Photo: Willem Vernes

‘I had a good feeling about the Pro League, but I had only been with the group for a short time. So I had no idea if it was enough. If I wasn’t there, I could understand that. But I am very happy and proud of myself that I made the European Championship selection. Something beautiful is waiting.

After the redeeming news, she treated herself to lunch. Her parents came to Utrecht, brought Limburg flan and went out to dinner with her. A small moment of celebration before the sights returned to the tournament.

Now Van der Veerdonk is looking ahead to her debut at the EC. ‘I have gained international experience with the Dutch Junior Team and Hockey5s. And that helps. With Den Bosch I played finals. Because of that, I know what it’s like to play under stress.’

Finally, she says, ‘I hope to enjoy the tournament and reflect on what I have achieved. And that I can play freely. As a team you only want one thing: gold. That’s the goal.’