A new club? No. A new merger club? Neither. MHC Holestick will continue from this season under the name HC Scherpenzeel. A clear reference to the village in which the club has been rooted for almost 45 years. It was not a hasty decision, emphasizes chairman Robert Kohsiek. A logical step, though. ‘It gives the club zest again.’
‘We noticed for some time that there was a lack of clarity around the name Holestick,’ says Kohsiek, who has now been president for three years. ‘Many people had trouble pronouncing and placing the name. They didn’t know where it came from.’
The club name was derived from the word “Holefoot,” an old name related to the shape of a wooden shoe. In Scherpenzeel, a square and an avenue, among others, refer to this name. To outsiders, the link to Scherpenzeel was not obvious. “There had long been a desire among the members to change the name.
Suitable moment
This year was an opportune moment to make the name change. Every three years the club provides new shirts to the players. Since that moment had now arrived, the desire to become closer to the village was again discussed within the board. Visually, too, the club wanted to strengthen its ties with Scherpenzeel. “Black and purple were our club colors, but we found those a bit somber,” Kohsiek says. The new club colors, blue and white, match Scherpenzeel’s village flag and municipal coat of arms.
Flags HC Scherpenzeel fly on the club’s grounds. Photo: Instagram hcscherpenzeel
Scherpenzeel is a small, close-knit club with about 180 to 210 members, most of whom are youth players. Almost all youth categories have two teams and receive training from De Ridder Hockey, the academy of former Kampong player Floris de Ridder. Moreover, the club also manages to attract players from surrounding villages such as Renswoude and Woudenberg.
In tackling the club name, the club did not go overnight. We really took our time. We ended up working on it for about a year and a half.’ At the general membership meeting, the idea was first discussed. A final decision followed in March: a two-thirds majority voted in favor of the new name at the extraordinary general membership meeting.
Special detail: the creator of the original name Holestick was also present at the ALV. ‘He is no longer active within the club, but had heard of the plans and was given the space to tell his story. He was sorry and that is also understandable.
New shirt HC Scherpenzeel in the colors of the village.
New vibe
With the new name also comes a new vibe, notes Kohsiek. ‘We have a Ladies 1 again for the first time in nine years. We start at the bottom of the ladder, but I hope we can take a few steps up in the coming years. We also have a Hockey7s team with mostly mothers of youth members. It shows that we really are a family club.’
The new name increases the club’s visibility. Interest from sponsors is growing: six new companies joined for the new season. ‘It gives the club zest again.’
By the way, the club’s logo has not changed. We didn’t think that was necessary. But we did want to establish a clear link with the village. The name HC Scherpenzeel fits that perfectly. Maybe we will become HCS in the vernacular, but the village had to be in the name.’
The old and new logo of HC Scherpenzeel.
On August 30, the official season opening will take place with a festive touch. The turn-off will be performed by the mayor – former player of the club – and the children’s mayor, who now plays in a youth team. This is followed by a large group photo in the new jersey. ‘On that day, in fact, every member will receive the new shirt.’ In short, a great moment to usher in the new era together.
Although Holestick will disappear as a name, the past will remain visible. There will be a place in the clubhouse where old shirts and the logo will be hung up. With a new shirt and a new name, the club begins a new chapter, firmly rooted in Scherpenzeel.
by Hockey.nl
