Famous Dutch Hockey Players

Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel is a prominent Dutch field hockey player known for her exceptional skills and contributions to the sport. She has competed at the highest level, representing the Netherlands women's national field hockey team at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Carlien's talent and dedication have earned her recognition as one of the top LGBT Olympians to win a medal in London. Her professional career is marked by numerous achievements and a strong commitment to the sport she loves.

Fatima Moreira de Melo is a former Dutch field hockey player with an impressive international career, having played 191 matches for the Dutch national team as a striker. She has achieved significant victories, including becoming a World Champion at the 2006 Women's Hockey World Cup and winning the 2007 Champions Trophy. In addition to her hockey career, she is a professional poker player and has been associated with Team PokerStars: Sportstars. De Melo also pursued studies in Criminal Law and has explored opportunities in television presenting and singing.

Naomi van As is a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player known for her versatility as a forward/midfielder. She has had a successful career playing for Dutch club MHC Laren and the Netherlands national team. Van As has achieved notable victories, including being a key player in the Dutch squad that won the Women's Hockey World Cup in 2006 and the Champions Trophy in 2007. She also secured Olympic gold medals in field hockey at both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Van As was recognized for her outstanding skills by being named FIH Player of the Year in 2009 and 2016.

Xan de Waard is a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player known for her contributions to the Netherlands women's national field hockey team. With 150 international matches under her belt, she has showcased her talent and dedication on numerous occasions. Notably, de Waard was part of the Dutch team that emerged victorious at the 2014 Women's Hockey World Cup and secured a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Her impressive performances and achievements have solidified her reputation as a talented and successful athlete in the field hockey world.

Ellen Hoog is a renowned former Dutch field hockey player, celebrated as one of the top players of her era. With a successful career, she showcased exceptional skills and talent on the field. Known for her strategic gameplay and precise execution, Hoog made significant contributions to the sport, earning recognition and accolades worldwide. Her dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence have left a lasting impact on the field hockey community, inspiring future generations of players to strive for greatness.

Eva de Goede is a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player known for her outstanding contributions to the sport. She has achieved great success on the international stage, winning multiple gold and silver Olympic medals with the Dutch national team. De Goede has also been recognized for her individual talent, earning the prestigious FIH Player of the Year award multiple times. Her impressive career includes playing as a midfielder for top Dutch clubs and representing her country in numerous international matches.

Caia van Maasakker is a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player, known for her exceptional skills and contributions to the Netherlands women's national field hockey team. She has represented her country at top international competitions, including the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics, where she won a gold and silver medal, respectively. Known for her strong defensive capabilities and strategic gameplay, Caia van Maasakker is regarded as a key player in the success of the Dutch team on the field hockey scene.

Marilyn Agliotti is a former field hockey player who represented both South Africa and the Netherlands during her career. After obtaining Dutch citizenship, she played for the Dutch national team, achieving notable success at major tournaments such as the European Championships and the Olympic Games. Agliotti retired from international competition in 2012 but remained active in the sport by training with a local team. She received recognition for her contributions to hockey at the 2013 Rabobank Hockey World League championships.

Maria Verschoor is a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player who has excelled at both the club and international levels. Starting her career at HC Hoekschewaard, she later moved to HC Rotterdam before joining the Amsterdam Hockey & Bandy Club. Verschoor transitioned from junior to senior teams with ease and earned a spot on the Netherlands national team at a young age. She has represented her country in prestigious events like the Olympics, winning silver in 2016 and achieving gold in 2020. Her dedication and skill have solidified her reputation as a top player in the field hockey world.

Carole Thate is a retired Dutch field hockey player known for her prolific international career. With 168 matches played for the Netherlands, she showcased her scoring prowess with forty goals. Making her debut in 1989, she quickly established herself as a key player for the national team. Throughout her career, Thate displayed exceptional skill, determination, and leadership on the field, leaving a lasting impact on the world of field hockey. Her achievements and contributions have solidified her legacy as one of the sport's notable figures.

Kim Lammers is a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player known for her attacking skills. She has represented Dutch club Laren as well as the Netherlands national team. Lammers has played a key role in major victories including the 2006 Women's Hockey World Cup and the 2012 Summer Olympics. Her talent and dedication have earned her a prominent place in the world of field hockey. In addition to her sporting achievements, Lammers showcased her versatility by appearing on the television show De Verraders in 2021.

Maartje Paumen is a former Dutch field hockey player who had a successful career playing for clubs in both the Netherlands and Belgium. She also represented the Netherlands national team, achieving significant success by winning multiple World Cups, Champions Trophies, and an Olympic gold medal in 2008. Paumen is known for being the all-time top scorer for the Dutch national team and the Hoofdklasse league. She has received recognition as the FIH Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012 for her outstanding contributions to the sport.

Lidewij Welten is a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player known for her exceptional talent and success on the international stage. She has represented the Dutch national team in multiple Olympic Games, winning gold in 2008 and 2012, as well as a silver in 2016. Welten also played a pivotal role in the team's victory at the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup, where she was named player of the tournament. Despite her remarkable achievements, she announced her departure from the national team in 2024.

Floris Jan Bovelander is a retired field hockey player from the Netherlands. He was a key member of the Dutch national squad, achieving significant success during his career. Bovelander notably won a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and a world title at the Hockey World Cup in Lahore. Known for his scoring prowess, he contributed significantly to his team's victories in major international tournaments. Bovelander's legacy in the sport remains strong, with his achievements earning him a lasting place in field hockey history.

Margot van Geffen is a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player who began playing at a young age and joined the Dutch national team in 2011. Throughout her career, she achieved significant success, including winning the 2014 World Cup and earning gold and silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, respectively. Recognized for her contributions to the sport, she was honored as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau following the 2012 Olympics. With 265 international matches played, she ranks third in the history of Dutch field hockey.

Carina Benninga is a former Dutch field hockey player with an impressive international career, including participation in multiple Olympic Games and winning various championships. Transitioning from sports, she pursued studies in law and further training in psychology and coaching. Establishing her own agency in 1994, she specializes in coaching and consulting for personal, team, and organizational development. With a background in leadership and teamwork, she also focuses on The Work of Byron Katie, serving as a Facilitator and Presenter in Business since 2001.

Sophie Polkamp is a retired Dutch field hockey player who had a successful career playing as a defender for Dutch clubs Stichtse Cricket en Hockey Club and Amsterdamsche Hockey & Bandy Club. She also represented the Netherlands national team, achieving significant milestones such as winning the Women's Hockey World Cup in 2006 and the Champions Trophy in 2007. Polkamp secured Olympic gold medals at both the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games before announcing her retirement from international competition in 2013.

Teun de Nooijer is a highly accomplished field hockey player from the Netherlands, known for his impressive career as a midfielder. He has represented the Dutch national squad in multiple Olympic Games, winning gold medals in 1996 and 2000. With a successful stint at HC Bloemendaal in the Netherlands and the Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the Hockey India League, de Nooijer has showcased his exceptional skills and leadership on the field. He continues to be a prominent figure in international hockey, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

Jeroen Hertzberger is a prominent Dutch field hockey player known for his role as a forward for Rotterdam and the Dutch national team. He has represented the Dutch national team in various prestigious tournaments, including the Champions Trophy and the Summer Olympics. Hertzberger holds the impressive title of being the all-time top scorer in the Euro Hockey League competition, showcasing his exceptional skill and goal-scoring abilities. His noteworthy achievements include scoring a hat-trick in the 2018 Hockey World Cup, further solidifying his reputation as a top player in the field hockey world.

Taeke Taekema is a renowned Dutch field hockey player and drag flicker known for his exceptional skills in penalty corner situations. He achieved significant success throughout his career, including winning a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and emerging as the top scorer in the 2010 Men's Hockey World Cup. Taekema's remarkable performance during the 2007 Men's EuroHockey Nations Championship, where he scored a record-breaking 16 goals, solidified his reputation as a formidable force in international hockey. His influence extended to the sporting industry, with Adidas launching a limited edition hockey stick inspired by his achievements.

Mink van der Weerden is a Dutch former field hockey player known for his role as a defender. He began his hockey career at HCAS before moving on to play for clubs like Oranje Zwart, Oranje-Rood, and Rot-Weiss Köln. Van der Weerden made his debut for the national team in 2010 and participated in multiple prestigious tournaments including three Olympic Games, two World Cups, and three European Championships. Alongside his sports career, he also pursued studies in physiotherapy.

Paul Litjens was a highly accomplished Dutch field hockey player known for his impressive career with the Netherlands national team. He played a total of 177 matches and scored 268 goals, setting an international record that stood for over two decades. Litjens' exceptional skills and contributions to the sport were widely recognized, solidifying his legacy as one of the most successful field hockey players of his time.

Stephan Patrick Veen is a retired field hockey player from The Netherlands, known for his successful career as a forward and midfielder. He achieved the remarkable feat of winning two Olympic gold medals with the Dutch national squad in 1996 and 2000. Throughout his professional life, Veen demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and dedication to his sport, earning him a reputation as a highly accomplished and respected athlete in the field hockey community.

Bram Lomans is a former Dutch field hockey player known for his successful international career. He achieved Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2000 and played over 200 matches for the Dutch national team, scoring 140 goals. Lomans was renowned for his expertise in penalty corners and was a pioneer of the drag flick technique. Despite setbacks and being temporarily removed from the national team, he made comebacks in the Dutch League and later in Singapore, where he continued to excel in the sport.

Taco van den Honert is a former field hockey player from the Netherlands who had a successful career representing his country in three consecutive Summer Olympics. Known for his skills as a striker and drag flick specialist, he played for Amsterdam for the majority of his career. He achieved a significant milestone by winning a gold medal with the Dutch national team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. Van den Honert retired from international field hockey following this event, having earned 215 caps and scoring 118 goals throughout his career.

Ties Kruize is a former field hockey player from the Netherlands who had a successful career both internationally and domestically. He competed in multiple Olympic Games and won various championships throughout his career. Known for his skillful penalty corner, Kruize played a total of 202 international matches and scored 167 goals. He also achieved success with his club, winning eight consecutive Dutch titles. Additionally, he showcased his athleticism by winning the European edition of the Superstars competition in 1977 and 1979.

Tom van 't Hek is a Dutch former field hockey striker with an impressive international career, playing 221 matches and scoring 106 goals for the Dutch national team. Transitioning to coaching, he led the Dutch women's hockey team to two bronze Olympic medals and two European titles. Following his coaching stint, van 't Hek ventured into sports broadcasting as a radio presenter for a renowned sports program. His multifaceted career showcases his expertise and passion for the sport of field hockey.