Players and players of handball association VOC experienced a crazy period. First they were kicked out of their sports hall by construction workers. Then they had to travel all over Amsterdam to train. However, there is now light at the end of the tunnel. According to VOC chairman Andre Zeldenthuis, his club will return to sports hall Elzenhagen on 3 October.
Yesterday it came out that the emergency shelter for asylum seekers in sports hall Elzenhagen will be extended by a few days was extended. Chairman Zeldenthuis expects that VOC will be able to use the familiar home base for competitions again on Saturday 8 October. “We have been told that the emergency reception of refugees will stop on 1 October. After the last asylum seekers have left, the hall will be cleaned. The hall will probably be used again for training sessions from Monday 3 October. The first home games will be played before 8 October. the planning.”
Fifteen euros per training
Despite that positive news, all teams still have to hop through Amsterdam in the coming week. It doesn’t stop there. In addition to the extra travel time, the temporary accommodation also costs trainers and players extra money. “It is very sour that our members quickly spend fifteen euros in parking costs for an evening of training. Sometimes a team trains in the middle of Amsterdam. There is no way you can park your car for free. It is very annoying, but we have to hold on for another week,” concludes Zeldenthuis.
Tomorrow the first women’s team of VOC will play against VZV. The home game of VOC 2 has been converted into an away game.