The circle is complete for Henk van den Berg | Tournament win GZC Donk (m) and ZV De Zaan (f)
Last weekend the Sleutelstad Waterpolotoernooiorganised by ZVL-1886 . GZC Donk was victorious in the men's event, while ZV De Zaan won the women's event. Henk van den Berg organised the tournament in Hengelo 44 times before. He helped the organisation of the new edition by arranging the referee corps and was also present in Leiden. Van den Berg is grateful and happy that the tournament has been revived.
‘’I think it’s great that the tournament has been picked up again. ZVL-1886 has jumped into the gap that has arisen and that is good for the entire water polo community. The wish to organize a 45th edition has been fulfilled in an excellent way. I am pleased that they asked me to think along. The fact that I was also able to attend is extra cool. Yes, the circle is proverbial complete.’’
Last year, Van den Berg spoke with Jacob Spijker during a competition match, the ideas were shared and the former host of the Eredivisie opening tournament experienced the contact with the current tournament director Pascal Velting as very pleasant.
‘’In recent years, I have been asked regularly whether the tournament would return. You are dependent on several factors and the options were limited. Pascal and his team have handled it excellently. Last week I told my wife that I really liked the way I was involved in this edition. It gave a certain peace of mind not to have to deal with all the side issues.’’
Good competition preparation
In the men’s event, GZC Donk won 10-8 against ZPB H&L Productions in the final, meaning the team from Gouda won the tournament. The match for third and fourth place was won by ZPC Het Ravijn against Z&PC Amersfoort. In the women’s event, ZV De Zaan won the tournament in the De Zijl swimming pool, winning 11-8 against UZSC in the final. The Belgians came third after beating ZV De Ham. All results can be found via this link. According to tournament director Pascal Velting, it was a successful tournament.
‘’The objective of the tournament was and is to see each other again and play good practice matches in preparation for the competition. We heard from several players and coaches that it was a perfect preparation tournament. That's what you do it for in the end!’’
Van den Berg adds enthusiastically to Velting; ‘’How great do you want it to be? Many players have been in the water, made meters and played several matches. You can't train against this!’’
Next year
Velting was regularly asked about the plans for next year last weekend. The man from Leiden agrees that the intention is to organize a second edition given the positive impact of the tournament.
‘’We have experienced that this format is an added value for all teams and that is the most important thing. Organizing a tournament requires good preparation and there is a lot involved. Without all the volunteers it would never have been possible. We are still enjoying the afterglow and will soon evaluate and then look ahead.’’
Van den Berg would be happy if there is a sequel. ‘’If there is a second edition, and I have the opportunity, I hope to be there again. It would mean that the tournament has a future perspective. As long as I can, I want to remain involved in water polo!’’
Strengthening top team sports competitions and top clubs 2032
Technical director Iefke van Belkum-Nederend is very happy with the collaborations that have made this tournament possible so quickly. She also looks to the longer term in which the projectversterken top-teamsportcompetities en topclubs 2032 is an important part of professionalizing the Eredivisie.
"We see this tournament not only as a preparation for this season, but also as a step towards the long-term goal of the project that is supported by NOC*NSF, VSG, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and five sports associations. ZVL-1886 is determined to take water polo in the Netherlands to a higher level together with other Eredivisie clubs. In my opinion, the continuity of this tournament will really contribute to the further professionalization of water polo in the Netherlands."
