Hélène Hendriks, who received the Televier-Ring for the best presenter on Thursday, was also the face of a number of programs on Omroep Brabant television for many years. Some former colleagues remember her fondly. “The open-mindedness she had then, she now shows every day.”
Hélène was born into sports. She was a gifted hockey player and, like her two sisters, played for the Push hockey club in Breda. During one of the many major league matches she played, she lost the tip of her little finger. Every now and then she comes back to it on TV. Despite this handicap, she continued to play hockey for about seven years.
In the meantime, she increasingly appeared as a presenter or reporter. She took her first steps in our province, at Brabant10, Breda TV and Omroep Brabant. In her twenties, Hélène presented the magazine ‘Good afternoon Brabant’. Pètry Gamers, who was editor-in-chief at the time: “An editorial team prepared everything, Hélène talked it all together and she did that with verve. What struck me: that she presented openly and easily.”
“Hélène really knows her stuff.”
Presenting is tailor-made for the people of Breda. Pètry: “She really had and still knows her stuff. I’ve never doubted that. Hélène also proved this when she joined our program ‘Onder Ons’ to give a sports talk. You could leave that to her.”
Paul Post agrees. He and Hélène alternately presented ‘FC Brabant’ for years, which focused on the first division of professional football. “What struck me most about her: that she has always remained so pure, unapologetic and herself. This is special because sports journalism is originally a man’s world. But Hélène knows that too good looking girl next door to deal with. Also with the comments made about her appearance. She can easily rise above it.”
“She holds her own everywhere and stays upright.”
A move to Hilversum was only a matter of time. Commercial channels embraced her. This allowed her to develop further at, for example, FOX Sports, ESPN and Veronica Inside. “And then you see that Hélène always stands her ground, remains upright and above all remains herself in discussions with, for example, Johan Derksen and René van der Gijp,” Paul Post notes.
Last season she was on TV more than ever. At ESPN, where she commented on Eredivisie matches, and at SBS6 where she temporarily replaced Johnny de Mol as presenter of ‘HLF8’. The way in which she adapted ‘De Oranjezomer’ to her will perhaps received the most appreciation. With the ultimate reward being the Televizier-Ring Presenter, which she received on Thursday evening from former top footballer Ruud Gulllit.
In her speech of thanks, Hélène stood up for everyone who is there for others. “I am extremely happy with the colleagues I work with. Without others you are not much. But I also have friends who work in education and with babies. Let this ring symbolize all these people who have the honor and shine which I now receive also deserve, but which are never in the spotlight.”
Paul Post: “That may seem corny, but coming from her it sounds really sincere. She means it.”
The announcement of the Televizier-Ring Presenter: