Basketball coach Peter van Noord: from roaring along the sideline to taping ankles

It is now impossible to imagine Den Helder without Van Noord. The 59-year-old coach played for the club from 1981 to 1988. “In the 1983/84 season I came to play under trainer Ton Boot. That was a great time and I learned that people never give up in Den Helder. I continue that line as a trainer.”

Van Noord was born in Amsterdam. Yet he also likes to come to Den Helder. “I had relatives who lived here and my first wedding was also held here. I love getting out of my car here in the morning and smelling the fresh air of the sea. In Amsterdam you can only smell kerosene from the planes.”

Straightforward

With Den Helder, Van Noord has to compete against stronger teams in most matches. Still, the trainer enjoys every moment. “In Den Helder they are very straightforward and they never give up. Every home game is one do or die-mentality. That sets us apart from other teams. I like that too, because that’s how Amsterdammers are. We always tell it like it is.”

Van Noord is only Den Helder’s trainer on paper, but in practice he holds several strings. For example, the club does not have a physiotherapist who tapes the players before the match. The trainer does that himself. “Some graduate physiotherapists just can’t tap. It’s like wrapping toilet paper around players’ ankles. I’ve taped all my life and I’m very good at it. That’s why I do it myself.”

Den Helder is currently seventh in the league. Next Sunday, the Van Noord team will play against number four Yoast United in Bemmel.