When EMI Van Driel (25) wakes up, she sometimes has to think carefully in which country she is again. Together with Wies Bekhuis, the Breda is one of the best beach volleyball duos in the world and for that she travels from continent to continent. We speak EMI when she is in the Netherlands, shortly for a crowded summer program. “Our season is pretty bizarre, but I love this lifestyle.”
The summer vacation is approaching and that means crowds at the airports with holidaymakers. For EMI, flying is now so normal that she does not look up from a trip more or less. The Brabantse takes her agenda and just lists some countries where she will be in the coming weeks.
“We go to Poland, then to Switzerland, Portugal, Germany and Austria. We have already been to Mexico, Brazil and Turkey and are still going to Asia, Canada and hopefully the World Cup in Australia. Special where the sport all brings us.”
The many journeys ensure that EMI has little time for family and friends in the Netherlands. “I am in love with this life, we see so much of the world. I understand that if you are a little older and there are children, the feeling can be different. When I am at home in the Netherlands, I try to free time for people close to me. Despite the fact that we don’t see much, they really support me.”
EMI’s life sounds like a big dream. But striking balls in beautiful places in the world is hard work. Beach volleyball is known as a physically heavy sport. “You are the two of you and you have to control all parts. If you have not been doing it for that long, you are quickly devastated by the game and the surface. I am physically fine, that is one of my strengths. But despite the fact that a competition lasts relatively short, I go into the red.”
EMI has been a duo with Wies Bekhuis since this year. They have become the national top and perform perfectly in the international field. Earlier this year they became fourth at a major tournament in Brazil, where the world top also participated. “Nice of this sport is that, especially in the top twenty of the ranking, teams can all win from each other. The fact that we got so far was the highlight in my career. We both work so hard for it, then this is a nice reward.”
“I’m curious what I will do with my diploma later.”
A job in addition to top sport does not fit in with EMI’s plans, even though she completed her Master Investigation Criminology last year. “That was super fun and interesting to do. Fellow students go in all directions, I am curious what I will do with my diploma later. For example, I can work with it at the police or Defense. But for the time being I only focus on beach volleyball, I want to get everything out of it. A job is always possible.”
It is not a fat pot, but the trips to competitions are reimbursed by the union. “I can make a reasonable life. We are working hard to play a top sport status together and to find more sponsors. We also earn something by giving clinics and lectures, among other things. But the most important thing is that I do something that makes me happy every day.”