VOLLEYBALL – The ladies of Sudosa-Desto return to the premier league with champion aspirations. During a press conference, the champion word came up a few times.
Chairman Alfred Barkhuis proudly presented the Asser volleyball club’s plans for next season. On Friday it became clear that Sudosa-Desto will return to the highest level in the Netherlands. The association meets the strict requirements set by the Dutch Volleyball Association (NeVoBo). “We still need the municipality to get mobile stands, but our hall also meets the requirements of the association,” says Barkhuis.
“The playing field must be made larger, but that is no problem in the Olympus sports hall.” A new main sponsor was also announced; Visser Assen and sub-sponsor Nijhuis Technology. And the club continues to look for new lenders. “We need about 75,000 euros for the Eredivisie, so we could use some new sponsors,” said Barkhuis.
Erwin Sikkema and Mark Afman will be responsible for the first women’s team. Together they form the technical staff for next season. There is no real pecking order. “We make decisions together, we’ve known each other for a long time,” says Sikkema. “It will sometimes clash, but we always work out together,” Afman continues. The trainers also do not shy away from the word ‘championship’, although they are still a bit cautious. “We mainly want to enjoy the first year, but if you make the play-offs everything is possible. In the long run we want to become champions.”
Paula Boonstra returns to the old nest. Seven years ago, the Frisian left the club to return to Assen via Belgium, France and Hungary. Boonstra is ambitious. “I’m coming back to become champion and why not next season,” says Boonstra with a smile. “We have a young team, with the necessary quality, so why not?”
The new season starts in October and Afman is clear. “The spectators can expect a spectacle from us. I hope that old times will be revived in Assen.”