Awwww she’s one of our favorite Dutch players!
Middle Blocker, Ingrid Visser, has officially announced that she will no longer represent the Dutch Team starting this season. The 34 year old who has represented her country more than 500 times has released this statement last February 4th:
“On January 30, the Dutch Volleyball Federation announced that I was no longer available for the Dutch team. Following the resignation of Avital Selinger, I hesitated to move forward with the project that he initiated. The pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Croatia has not taken away my doubt; rather it has increased it. I do not have the necessary motivation and, as such, can no longer have value to the team. In the interest of myself and the team, I decided to end my international career with immediate effect. I am grateful that I been given an opportunity to spend a wonderful 16 years to build a volleyball career in the service of Dutch volleyball in general and the Dutch volleyball team in particular. I wish all involved with Dutch women’s volleyball the best.”
We’re sad now. She’s going to be missed this year knowing the Dutch team is trying to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. Visser was part of the 2005 squad which won the European Championship. Other notable tourneys she played were the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2007 World Grand Prix which The Netherlands won. As for her professional career, she won the Champions League back in 2004 with her Spanish club team Spar Tenerife Marichal.
Side Dish: The Dutch Federation has chosen Gido Vermeulen as the new coach of the women’s team. Coach Gido replaces Avital Selinger (2004-2011) who was reportedly fired due to the team’s limited success. Gido’s contract is good for 6 years with performance evaluation every 2 years and includes an escape clause.
Dutch players like Manon Flier and Caroline Wensink have released the following statements:
“Personally, I have no experience with Gido, but I have heard many positive stories. He has done good work in recent years with the Spanish women’s volleyball team. It is also an advantage that he has much knowledge about our opponents. I hope that the cooperation with Gido will lead to success.” – Manon Flier, who is currently playing professionally in Japan.
“Gido currently has the best credentials to be coach of our team, with much experience from America and Spain – especially in Spain, where he achieved a lot with an inexperienced team.” -Caroline Wensink who plays in the Polish League this season.
The newly appointed coach couldn’t hide his excitement and released this statement as well:
“It is nice to coach in your own country. The team has been good in recent years and is good in training. Next month, I’m going to talk to as many people as possible and then make decisions. The first goal is of course the Olympic qualifying tournament in May, but we are also looking further ahead.”
We really hope Coach G can do something with the Dutch Squad. We hope to see them back on top again and regain their title as one of Europe’s top teams. Since winning the 2007 Grand Prix and a silver medal at the 2009 European Champs, the team has failed to taste any major success. If the new coach can develop more powerful and more efficient hitters to support Manon Flier, then no doubt the Dutch team can become a major threat to other teams.
It won’t be an easy job but we’re optimistic to see a stronger Dutch Team starting this year.
THOUGHTS?
(source and images: FIVB)