Bijl immediately leaves the hockey association: ‘Situation around women still very precarious’ Sport

He says: “It is clear that after the Olympic Games in Tokyo we have entered a solid process within the women’s line. Various steps have now been taken, both by the players and staff and by the KNHB. However, the situation around the ladies is still very precarious and I have the feeling that I can no longer properly fulfill my role as technical director in the way I envision it in a top sport context. I think you should remain true to yourself and that is why I have decided to resign from my position with immediate effect.”

The Orange women took gold in Tokyo, but national coach Alyson Annan left after the triumph at the Games. There was dissatisfaction with the climate at Orange among the hockey players. Months later, no definitive successor has been appointed for Annand.

At the end of March, the KNHB acknowledged that the performance climate in the national women’s team has not been safe. Many players experienced selection pressure and “unpleasant, hurtful and ambiguous interactions in relation to the national coach.” That culture led to the emergence of “a situation in which a significant part of the players, but also some staff members, experienced (great) pressure, insecurity and fears.”

General manager

General manager Erik Gerritsen would have liked to continue with Bijl. “Over the past four years, Jeroen has brought a lot to hockey. He was not only involved with both our national teams, although that often gets a lot of attention. In recent years, with all his experience, he has also devoted himself to the further professionalization of all other representative teams and the top hockey organization of the KNHB, for the future of top hockey in the Netherlands and the further development of the technical training courses of the hockey association.” said Gerritsen.

The KNHB is now considering a successor to Bijl, who was chef de mission during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.