He received the first phone call from the Belgian league back in September. Back then, Rein van Eijk (36) didn’t bite. But when he was asked again in December as head coach for the Red Panthers, he couldn’t say no. “This is a unique opportunity.
Dutchman Rein van Eijk spent the last eight years bivouacked in Germany. He left his friends and family to move to Berlin with his wife. To pursue his field hockey dream there. He coached the men of Berliner HC, joined the German indoor team and was put in charge of the U21.
He is in his place in Germany. And wasn’t planning to leave at all, either. And that’s a miracle an sich, because actually Van Eijk had no intention of going to Germany. It was sort of a last chance, to avoid being out of work. He was actually going to coach at an American university. But Donald Trump put a stop to that. After all, the president did not want foreigners for this job. So his American dream was abruptly cut short.
Now coach Jip Janssen, soon to be coach of Belgium
Call it a stroke of luck. Because Van Eijk has been completely in place for the past eight years. Late last year, he even signed with the German federation until the 2028 Olympics. ‘But when this offer came, I had to,’ Van Eijk begins his story from India. He is coaching the Tamil Nadu Dragons in the Hockey India League this winter. The team for which Jip Janssen will play for two months.
Rein van Eijk with son Wolf and his wife Marit. Photo: Hendrik Jordan
‘On the one hand it is a gigantic opportunity. It suits my development. And in addition, it’s nice that we are going to live closer to our family again,’ says van Eijk, who himself is from Eindhoven. ‘We’re moving to Antwerp. Driving up and down from the Netherlands didn’t appeal to me. I want to do it right. And that doesn’t involve too much travel time. I always want to be available and approachable for my team.’ That’s not all, the Brabander will also start learning French next month. That still needs some attention after six years of VWO. ‘They speak English with each other, but I also want to be able to speak French. So that soon I can have conversations with everyone in their own language. And sing the national anthem with them. I always find it inspiring with how much passion that is proclaimed.’
Starting in February, the Brabander will have the Red Panthers under his wing. The number four team of the past Olympics. And that is exactly what Van Eijk is interested in. ‘It seems wonderful to be able to guide such a cycle to the next games. Worldwide, there are fourteen teams in the running for a World Cup or Olympic Games. Eight in the men’s and and six in the women’s. To be approached by such a team is a dream come true.
From India through to Chile
He still has little idea of the selection. Besides, he has been out of women’s field hockey for almost nine years. ‘I know some players and Jeroen Baart – also coach at the HIL, and soon to be his assistant – is updating me here. But I want to go in blank. Everyone deserves a fair chance.’
Photo: Willem Vernes
After the HIL, Van Eijk will leave for Chile, where the Belgians have a training camp, just before heading to Argentina for the FIH Pro League. ‘It is not ideal, because I am away from home for a very long time now, but this is part of it,’ he says. Still, he is looking forward to that moment. ‘I’m already looking forward to those first talks. I am very curious to see what kind of meat we have in the barrel.’
Then there is silence on the other end of the phone. ‘I started coaching with the men from Nijmegen, when I was 23 years old,’ he says a handful of time zones away. ‘Then I gave an interview in the Gelderlander. ‘In ten years we’ll see how far I get, I said then,’ he laughs. ‘It’s thirteen years later and I’m in India. And will be national coach of Belgium in a few weeks.’
Ever return to Germany?
He doesn’t venture another prediction, for ten years from now. ‘Selections from U21 are usually at their best in the national team some ten years later,’ he says with a laugh. Van Eijk became world champion with the German talents in December 2023. ‘Those will always be my boys, though. Who knows.
by Hockey.nl
