Netherlands: R’dam: ‘We’d rather invest in players’ future than their wages’

In the “Salary Gap” series, we dive into the world of (un)equal salaries in men’s and women’s field hockey. In this episode: Rotterdam president Jac Bressers thinks top field hockey is too focused on financial rewards. Under his leadership, Rotterdam chooses to better guide players in building a social career.

Striker Joy Haarman signed a contract with Rotterdam in the summer of 2023, shortly after completing her master’s degree in the United States. The club offered her a market-based fee. An amount closer to a volunteer allowance (maximum 2,100 euros per year) than a full-time annual salary. But Rotterdam also helped her find a job. Through the business club, Haarman came into contact with communications consultancy Somention, where she was hired as Senior Community Manager. This way, she still has financial security in addition to her field hockey career.

Rotterdam chooses to guide players in their social careers, instead of focusing exclusively on narrowing the salary gap. Chairman Jac Bressers: ‘Of course the gap in salaries between men and women in field hockey has to be closed. But in most cases we are talking about relatively small amounts, around 10,000 euros per year, when you talk about female and male internationals. Instead of focusing solely on eliminating this difference, we would rather invest in the future of our players. A social career offers them much more benefits in the long term than now a few thousand euros extra per year.

Rotterdam WV 2 - Netherlands: R'dam: 'We'd rather invest in players' future than their wages' - In the "Salary Gap" series, we dive into the world of (un)equal salaries in men's and women's field hockey. In this episode: Rotterdam president Jac Bressers thinks top field hockey is too focused on financial rewards. Under his leadership, Rotterdam chooses to better guide players in building a social career.

Striker Joy Haarman came Rotterdam to a job at communications consultancy Somention. Photo: Willem Vernes

A social career offers them much more long-term benefits than now a few thousand euros extra per year Rotterdam president Jac Bressers

Among the men, Rotterdam is the purveyor of the Dutch national team, with no fewer than eight players in the training group. In addition, the club has two Spanish internationals, Joaquín Menini and Marc Recasens, under contract. But that doesn’t mean Rotterdam is throwing money around. Players who play clubs from the Tulip big league against each other to eventually join the one who offers them the highest salary, do not have to knock on Rotterdam’s door. Bressers: ‘We don’t participate in that rat race. Our internationals earn a competitive salary, but there is no room for it anymore. Players choose Rotterdam because they want to play here, not because they can earn the most here.’

Rotterdam offers players more than just financial compensation. The club provides players with tools they can use to invest in their social career, something they will benefit from throughout their lives once they hang up their stick. This season, Rotterdam introduced a dual coach: a specialist who guides players in building their careers outside of field hockey and points out the various possibilities. This approach is similar to the role of former international Wietske de Ruiter at the KNHB, who encourages players of the Dutch national team to enter the job market and prepare for the future outside the sport.

Bressers: ‘Hockey is number one for us, but we encourage players to actively invest in their social career, as long as their top sports agenda allows it. For example, by taking a course or doing a taster internship. Older players, who have already completed their education and know what direction they want to take, we help them find a job. That way they earn an extra pocket money, but more importantly, they gain valuable work experience, instead of standing still on the job market.’

DSC 0485 - Netherlands: R'dam: 'We'd rather invest in players' future than their wages' - In the "Salary Gap" series, we dive into the world of (un)equal salaries in men's and women's field hockey. In this episode: Rotterdam president Jac Bressers thinks top field hockey is too focused on financial rewards. Under his leadership, Rotterdam chooses to better guide players in building a social career.

International Thijs van Dam is gaining work experience at Topsportnetwerk alongside his sporting career with Rotterdam. Photo: Rob Römer

Thijs van Dam gains work experience

Rotterdam cooperates with Topsportnetwerk, an organization that guides top athletes in building their social career. Topsportnetwerk offers support in finding a job, for example, but also helps when top athletes want to retrain, do an internship or follow courses. The costs for these services are borne entirely by Rotterdam, so players themselves do not have to pay anything for this guidance.

The approach is paying off: several players have already found jobs through the business club or Topsportnetwerk. For example, international Thijs van Dam completed his MBO course in commercial economics in 2018, but then focused entirely on his field hockey career. Now he is gaining work experience several hours a week, nota bene at Topsportnetwerk itself.

Besides Joy Haarman, Iris Nikerk, the recently discontinued goalkeeper of Ladies 1, also found a job through Rotterdam’s business club. She now works at LBC Tank Terminals, as Operational Excellence Officer. Another player from Ladies 1 has been offered a job via Topsportnetwerk, as has a player from Men 1. Bressers: ‘The results exceed all our expectations. They confirm that we have taken the right path.’