St. Maarten Hockey Club’s Team SXM Strong midfielder Peter Aardema drives the ball upfield against Curaçao team De Vrienden as his teammate Marcel de Wit (far left) looks on.
CURACAO--The St. Maarten field Hockey Team placed second in the Four Nation International Hockey Tournament in Curaçao during the weekend.
St. Maarten was represented by Team SXM Strong. The competition also featured teams from Aruba, The Netherlands and host Curaçao. In total the 10 teams, with 100 athletes competed in the mixed team event.
St. Maarten faced the Warriors from the Netherlands in the final. The Warriors won 1-0.
“It was a good competition,” said Captain Paul Dijkhoffz. “There were a lot of good players and some really good players who play at a high level on the Dutch team.”
The St. Maarten Team consisted of Captain Paul Dijkhoffz, Emmely de Haan, Edgar Gronovius, Candace Huijgen, Laurens Groenwold, Peter Aardema, Marcel de Wit, Gordon Snow and Caroline van Hees.
The tournament rotates between Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. St. Maarten last hosted the tournament in 2015 and won.
“We were a bit handicapped in our training,” conceded Dijkhoffz. He explained the team used to train every Saturday at the Cruyff Court in Belvedere. However, the pitch was damaged by Irma. The artificial grass was replaced. The new grass is a bit taller and thicker and not suited for hockey.
Thus, the team only trains indoors on Tuesdays from 6 to 8pm at the Melford Hazel Sports Center.
“We are actively looking for a new outdoor pitch,” said the captain. Until one is found the team will train indoors on the small size pitch.
Also, the team aims to host the International tournament in the next two years.
Hockey players who are interested in playing on Tuesdays can contact the club via their Facebook page: St. Maarten Hockey Club.
St. Maarten Hockey Club Team SXM Strong celebrate reaching the semi-finals of the Curaçao International Hockey Tournament. From left to right: Captain Paul Dijkhoffz, Emmely de Haan, Edgar Gronovius, Candace Huijgen, Laurens Groenwold, Peter Aardema, Marcel de Wit, Gordon Snow and Caroline van Hees.
