Two She-Bears with a green heart bid farewell
After years in the water at Polar Bears, Laura Schinkel and Iris Wolves have hung up their caps. Schinkel has completely stopped, club icon Wolves will play in the fourth team with her friends. The two players with a green heart talk about choices, pride, friendship, and the future.
Schinkel (24 years old) switched from competitive swimming to water polo at VZC at the age of nine, after which she started in Ede six years later. The 31-year-old Wolves, born in Apeldoorn, started at Aquapoldro at the age of four and played over 10 years in the Eredivisie. For both Schinkel and Wolves, the farewell feels like a natural moment.
"I still wanted to play in the Champions League. That was really the icing on the cake, so I decided to continue for another season," says Schinkel, who is graduating this month in Neurobiology, specializing in medical biology.
"With a full-time job on the horizon, I can't give my all everywhere," continues the Veenendaal native, who will start as a research assistant at Radboudumc.
Wolves nods and recognizes herself in Schinkel's words. "I was also ready and looking forward to it. I am glad that I had a lot of fun in my last season."
Besides participating in the Champions League, Polar Bears reached the semifinals in both the cup and the playoffs.
"It was a moment of realization that we were competing for prizes every season. That is cool and it gives a sense of pride to play at the top every year. It is partly because we played together for a long time and it says something about the close-knit group."
Wolves was not only a player but also the coach of the under-18 girls' team, with whom she became national champion in the Netherlands. "It was a great year with the girls!"
She recently started as a project manager at the IT company Topicus. "A new world where I am learning a lot. It's also a change. In water polo, I was good at something and I knew exactly what needed to be done. I have to rediscover that feeling."
Own path has brought many opportunities
Following her own path, Wolves, after studying law at Radboud University, made her debut as a Dutch international at the age of 23 in a major tournament. She immediately became European champion (2018, Barcelona). In her over 100 international matches, she again won European gold in 2024 and World Championship gold in 2023. As an Olympian, she finished sixth in Tokyo (2020) and won bronze in Paris last year. She also played for two years at the Spanish Mediterrani and a season at the Greek Glyfada,
"It's admirable how Iris could juggle everything. A top athlete, student, coach... She took responsibility at the club and has meant a lot for the club. I find that incredibly impressive!" explains Schinkel, who won a silver World Championship medal with Jong Oranje (Young Orange).
The modest club icon laughs and admits to being impressed by Schinkel.
"Laura is so hardworking and always gives her all. She always played for the team, provided the most surprising passes, and scored the most beautiful goals! I am glad I played with her."
