She was never the great talent that stood out with tricks, solos through hostile defenses or scoring many goals. Marleen Jochems did not even play a single youth match for a long time. But in recent years she has grown into a fixed value in the national hockey selection. The 25-year-old Etten-Leursse is going this week with the Dutch team for gold at the European Championship. A story about vacuuming, a special tattoo and the favorite role.
In her youth, Marleen hockey for years at Push in Breda. It was clear that she had talent, but there was never a national coach of a national youth team who sent her an invitation. Only at the Dutch Juniors did she come into the picture and in 2022 she immediately took the world title. A year later she made her debut with the big orange.
“I did not follow the usual process with all kinds of youth matches. In the youth I never stood out with technical highlights, it is often looked at. My strength is that I am a real team player. The World Cup with the Dutch Juniors became my first real goal at the time.”
Marleen always had the dream of ever participating in the Olympic Games. That dream came true in Paris last year. “My father has nothing to do with tattoos, but said years ago that I was allowed to do one tattoo later: from the Olympic rings. He has since been put and he was there as a surprise, super nice.”
The Brabantse, who now lives in Amsterdam, still regularly thinks back to the Games. “I realized really well after the tournament how special it was to experience. My first big tournament with Orange and then immediately gold at the Games, that is not for many many. It is the crowning work on hard work.”
“I am a pacemaker outside the field.”
Marleen is still not the player who stands out for scoring goals and flashy actions. She describes herself as a vacuum cleaner who redesigns the dirty work in midfield. “I coach a lot and I like to be connected to my teammates. I want others to play better, I think that’s my strength. I like the tactical game. Before the field I love socializing, a little fool and glands.”
She also wants to close her second big tournament this week with a gold medal. The Netherlands won the last four European Championships and is a favorite. On Friday, August 15, the semi -final is on the program, with the possible final on Sunday. “I don’t have such a trouble with that favorite role. It’s a privilege, although I can imagine that you sometimes don’t want that feeling.”
After the European Championship, the Psychology student will start a Master Leadership & Change Management. Her sporting goal is to finally grab the coveted national title with her club SCHC from Bilthoven after four lost finals in a row. She mainly wants to remain injury -free.
“Mentally difficult not to be able to do that for some time.”
“At the Olympic Games I already had some problems with my foot, but it could be physically. There was a risk and I noticed that in the competition. At my new club I just wanted to make an important contribution so that it was mentally difficult not to be able to do that for some time. It made me even more expensive that it is very expensive if your body just does it.”
Marleen is not the only Brabantse in the hockey selection of the Bossche national coach Raoul Ehren. Joosje Burg (Veghel), Yibbi Jansen (Gemonde), Renée van Laarhoven (Tilburg), Frédérique Matla (Valkenswaard), Freeke Moes (Moergestel) and Lisa Post (Eindhoven) have also been selected.