🇳🇱 Netherlands Hockey : Coach Dave Smolenaars appointed as Head Coach of the Dutch Junior Women's Hockey team
thedragflick.com/Credits : Orange Hockey

Dragflick Newsdesk : The shift of the World U-21 Women's World Cup means that national coach Erik van Driel cannot be the national coach of the Dutch Junior Women during this tournament. Former international Dave Smolenaars (51 years old, 24 international matches) has been appointed by the KNHB as his replacement and will be in charge of the group from 7 March.

Due to the outbreak of the omikron variant in South Africa at the beginning of December, the International Hockey Federation decided to move the World Cup from early December 2021 to early April 2022.

Initially, the KNHB decided that the Dutch Juniors should not be allowed to play due to the busy period in which the World Cup was now being planned. was unable to participate in the tournament. After good consultation with the major league associations and the European Hockey Federation, the KNHB asked the international association to make some changes to reduce the burden on the participating players.

The FIH honored the request of the KNHB . The tournament will now be played from April 1-12 in Potchefstroom (South Africa).

Erik van Driel, who is head coach of HDM Heren 1 in addition to his position at the Dutch Junior Women, has, however, competition matches in the Men's Promotion Class on the program during the same period. As a result, it is not possible for him to coach the Dutch Juniors in South Africa.

Van Driel: 'Of course I find it very sad to have to say goodbye to players and coaches with whom I have worked together for so long and well before the World Cup. But I also feel the same commitment to HDM, to a team and a club that are doing everything they can to promote to the Men's Tulip Hoofdklasse. Due to the relocation of the World Cup to the dates in April, it is impossible to combine both functions.'

Van Driel eventually decided to temporarily resign from his duties at the Dutch Junior Women.

Joost van Geel, performance manager of the KNHB: 'We are sorry that Erik will not accompany the Young Orange during the World Cup, but we also understand the commitment Erik shows towards HDM.' The hockey association found a replacement for Van Driel in Dave Smolenaars.

Dave Smolenaars, the current coach of Bloemendaal Dames 1, has a lot of experience as national coach of KNHB youth teams. He will take over Erik van Driel's duties with immediate effect.

Van Driel: 'I am disappointed that I had to make this choice, but I wish Dave a lot of fun and success with the Dutch Juniors.'

After the World Cup, Van Driel will return as national coach to the Dutch Junior Women and he will guide the team during the European Championship 2022 U-21 in Belgium at the beginning of July.