Large share of North Hollanders in Katwijk national title: “Madhouse”

“It was a more than successful party”, says Paul Kok about last weekend. The left back from Hoorn has been enjoying the national title with vv Katwijk in the second division in recent days. “After the final whistle, everyone rushed onto the field, which resulted in great chaos.”

turnaround

Kok went through the AZ youth academy and so did Des Kunst. The attacking midfielder from IJmuiden returned to the Netherlands at the beginning of this calendar year after a Swedish adventure. He consciously took a step back by signing with amateur club Katwijk. At that time, the second divisionist was still ten points behind leader AFC. “Since I came we have only lost once in the league. Some people at the club say I turned things around. I see it differently myself. Of course I have my share of success, but before the winter break I had Katwijk already has a great selection, but things didn’t always go well then and in the second half of the season that was the case.”

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Architect of success

The proud head coach of this success is Anthony Correia. For the second time in a row, the inhabitant of Velserbroek won the national title with Katwijk. “The roof came off. Such a beautiful discharge, I found it really bizarre.” In addition to Katwijk, Correia is also an assistant at Telstar and has almost completed his professional football coach course. That means he can work at any level after that. “Every day I wait for a call from FC Barcelona,” says Correia with a laugh. “But seriously, I don’t have a specific path. I do hope to work in the premier league or abroad in the future. You can only achieve something like this if you deliver daily now.” At the moment, Correia’s contract with both Katwijk and Telstar has one more season left.

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“After the party on the field, we went to the town hall of Katwijk”, Kunst looks back on last Saturday. “The mayor said a word about our great achievement and then we were honored on the platform. Compare it with Feyenoord on the Coolsingel, only with fewer people. It was really crazy.”

Torches

“I think there were about five thousand people,” Kok estimates the number of supporters in front of the town hall. “That is very special for an amateur club. All those torches, everyone who jumps and sings. Really very unique to experience.”

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Next week, the seven-time overall amateur champion will conclude the special season with a long weekend to Malaga, Spain. Then a short holiday and then everyone returns at the beginning of July to prepare for the new football year. “I’ll stay for another season anyway,” Kok is resolute. The former Telstar and FC Volendam player will then start his fourth year in the fishing village. Art also remains very likely. The 23-year-old former AZ player recently extended his contract, but with a clause. “I have the ambition to return to professional football. So contractually I can leave for an interested professional club. I will wait and see in the coming weeks. I do want to be clear that I am having a great time here and therefore consciously After all, it is the best amateur team in the Netherlands.”