Two days after the announced departure of Jesse Mahieu, the new national coach of the Dutch Junior men has been announced. Rick Mathijssen will start January 1 as the new head coach of the Dutch talents. The 43-year-old Mathijssen combines his new position with his job as head coach of the Amsterdam men’s team, with whom he became national champion last season.
Jeroen Groenheijde will be Mathijssen’s assistant. The SCHC men’s coach is also no stranger to the KNHB. He has been the assistant coach of the Dutch U18 boys for three years, with whom he will be active at the European Under-18 Championships in Lille later this month.
Mathijssen previously served as national coach of the Dutch Junior Ladies, which he led between 2015 and 2020. He garnered a European title (2017) and World Cup and European Championship silver (2016 and 2019) with that squad. After that, the Amsterdam native became assistant national team coach of the Orange men, with whom he experienced the 2021 Olympics. Previously, Mathijssen was national coach of Dutch Girls and Boys Under-18.
Mathijssen at the 2017 Youth European Championship with Yibbi Jansen. Photo: Worldsportpics/Frank Uijlenbroek
‘Falling and getting up’
‘Rick is of course a familiar name with the KNHB, but also with hockey-loving Holland, we know exactly what we are bringing in,’ said Jamilon Mülders, performance manager of the KNHB. ‘He is still young, but his experience is vast: from the Olympics to the World Cup with the Dutch Junior Team, from the youth teams to the Tulip big league. He has known setbacks as a coach, but also many highlights. He knows what it is like to fall and to get up again, exactly what we want to give our young players. Rick wants to build, looks at the individual, works together with his staff and actively exchanges knowledge. And Rick does all this in a calm, clear and inspiring way. We are happy to have him back on board.’
‘It is an honor to become the national coach of the Junior Men’s National Team,’ Mathijssen responded.’I am looking forward to working with this group of young top hockey players. For me, customization is key: every talent has its own route and pace. I want to contribute to their development into mature professionals – on and off the field – by providing clear frameworks, setting high standards and offering a safe, open learning environment. Of course I can also build on the solid foundation that Jesse has laid with the team.
by Hockey.nl
