The handball women of Volendam will be led by Debbie Bont from next season. A striking choice since the 33-year-old from Volendam has no experience as a trainer, but as a player she has won almost all prizes at national and international level. “This is a huge opportunity for me and it is unique that this is possible at Volendam.”
Debbie Bont very happy with the opportunity to lead handball women in Volendam – NH News
It is special for Debbie Bont to return after years to the club where it all started for her. After her time as a player for Volendam, the former international traveled all over the world and last summer she ended her active career. “This is my club and I have always felt the warmth of Volendam.” Bont will succeed Zsigmond Makay next season. The current coach’s contract will not be extended.
Vision Volendam
The handball club from Vissersdorp is very honored to attract Bont. “It’s not every day that a former world champion comes along,” says a satisfied Joost Ooms. According to Volendam’s general manager, Bont’s arrival fits within the club’s vision. “It is our wish to eventually bring top players who have a history with us back home. Debbie has the ambition to make a career as a trainer and then Volendam is a very logical place to start.”
“At the moment the difference between men and women is still too big, but we are working hard to change it”
“We want to slowly creep to the top of the Premier League,” said the ambitious Bont. And she realizes that this often has to do with the financial picture within the club. “We first start with hard work and I think there are often opportunities there. In addition, there is a good organization and then I hope that people think it is worth investing in us.”
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Ambitious Debbie Bont will work full-time at Volendam – NH News
Ooms shares Bont’s ambition and would like to add that Volendam mainly strives for equal treatment between men and women. “Right now there is still a difference, but we are working hard to change it. We believe the current difference should be smaller.”
Risk
Furthermore, Ooms is aware that hiring the inexperienced Bont also entails a risk. At 33 years old, the former international is still quite young and Volendam is the first club where she will work. “As a club we have a lot of experience in guiding young talented coaches. We have proven this in the past with, for example, Geert Hinskens and that turned out well. We want to be the club that gives young ambitious people a chance and helps them at the start of their coaching careers.”
This weekend Volendam lost the last match of the competition visiting V&L 31-20. As a result, Volendam ends up as number ten in the Premier League. This means that the club still has to fight against relegation in the play-downs.
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