At first glance, they do not stand out. Ladies 1 of Belgian club Phoenix plays for HOD in Valkenswaard, eighteen kilometers away. But the opponents of the women from Pelt know better. Not only because of the unadulterated Flemish, but also because they play as HOD Under 25-6 in their own Phoenix jersey. ‘Our players are sometimes scared out of their wits by the Dutch mouth.’
The plan to play in the Dutch indoor league has a long run-up. When Phoenix was founded thirteen years ago, all youth teams competed in the Dutch league.
‘That was simply because the travel distance to Dutch field hockey clubs back then was shorter than to clubs in Belgium,’ Phoenix coach Chantal Bosch explains. ‘Then there were fewer clubs than now. Older children were often placed on one team; the age difference was sometimes as much as six years.’
Bosch’s family, a real field hockey family, spread out over several clubs in the Netherlands, partly because there were no senior teams at Phoenix. The link with HOD was made even then.
Under the flag of HOD
Meanwhile, Phoenix field teams are only allowed by the Belgian federation to compete in the Belgian league. This is different for the indoor competition. Bosch: “Phoenix itself does not offer an indoor competition. Just because we only have one suitable sports hall in the village that is already used for basketball, volleyball and handball in winter and where there are no bars. My husband trains teams both in Belgium and at HOD in the Netherlands. So three years ago we came up with the idea of signing up a boys’ team for the indoor period at HOD. After all, it is close by and the club welcomed the team with open arms. Girls Under 16 chose the same path last year for the winter period.’
HOD JO25-6, or Phoenix Ladies 1, in red shirts in action against Basko
This season followed Phoenix Ladies 1, which plays in Belgium in the Flemish Hockey League 2, comparable to the First Division. This indoor team consists of a mix of players from Ladies 1, Under 18-1 and students who just stopped playing field hockey because of their studies. They really wanted to play indoor hockey. I coach and train this team, among others, and HOD was open to it again. So this indoor season we are playing for the first time as HOD O25-6.’
For the indoor competition, the players registered with HOD. But they still play in their familiar jersey. ‘That way we didn’t have to buy all new jerseys and skirts. We always take our away kit with us. Opponents obviously see that they are playing against HOD and don’t expect our light blue shirts. So we make sure we can always change outfits.’
Bitch fight
Although some players have never played indoor hockey before, the results are good. The team drew three times, won twice and lost once. Although that is not without its problems.
The women of Phoenix have to get used to the Dutch way of thinking.
The rules of the game take some getting used to. Just like playing against Dutch teams. Belgian women are more timid than Dutch. In the Netherlands people more often appeal or open their mouths at other moments, out of the will to win. When Stomme Belg or trut is shouted at my players, some almost get a heart attack. That’s how surprised they are. Others, who have played hockey in the Netherlands before, just join in the bitch fight.’
The Flemish women don’t let this Dutch mouthiness get them down. ‘They still like it very much. Tonight we have training and all twelve of them are coming. Our boys’ team, now on their third indoor season with HOD, has already become champions twice in a row. Of course we are going for that as well.’
by Hockey.nl
