After emotional days, the women of SC Heerenveen surprisingly won against Champions League participant Ajax (2-1). The death of Hermina van Dijk hit the young players hard, but they gave the only correct answer. Whatever the future looks like for women’s football in Heerenveen; no one can take this away from them anymore.
A banner with the text ‘rest in peace, dear Hermina’ and a minute’s silence before kick-off. The death of team supervisor Hermina van Dijk resulted in an emotional rollercoaster for the players, guidance and friends and family present. Van Dijk was only 52 years old and that is why there was applause in the 52nd minute. In terms of timing it couldn’t have been better, because a minute before Janneke Ennema made it 1-1. “That had to be the case,” said the striker. “It’s who in a fierce tariff dispute. With a young group, the impact is neither greater. We thanked the team and the family in a beautiful way and that boy is extra special.”
David vs. Goliath
It was three times a charm for Ennema, with her 28 years of age the veteran of the home team. Twice she came alone for Ajax goalkeeper Van Eijk and in the third attempt she scored. When Lyanne Iedema made it 2-1 a little later, the party was complete, although Ajax still pushed hard in the final phase. Heerenveen remained upright with a good dose of fighting spirit, saw trainer Hans Schrijver. “The relationships on the field were David versus Goliath, but we performed the maximum given our possibilities. The girls have been through a lot these weeks. I am very proud of them and indeed: this was meant to be.”
The last place was vacated and SC Heerenveen showed that it can provide a surprise even with limited options. However, the challenges remain great for the women’s branch of SC Heerenveen. The promotion-relegation scheme will be introduced in the women’s premier league next season. “Our position in the rankings does not bode well,” says director Ferry de Haan. “We have a healthy ambition to grow towards the middle bracket, but to achieve that goal, income must increase.”
This income growth will have to be achieved by finding new sponsorship money. And then De Haan is referring to sponsors who specifically choose women’s football. Without money, no growth; that is the message from the general manager. Last week there was a call for higher salaries from the women’s premier league, in which most Ajax players even play football for the minimum wage. De Haan is clear: “The payments must be related to the income. If we tap into new commercial money, the possibilities will grow.”
Find sponsors
According to outgoing trainer Hans Schrijver, that challenge does not seem unattainable. “Women’s football has a very positive image. It’s really gotten to me these past two years. If you have a bit of a commercial mindset, you can really find sponsors.” The KNVB will also have to play a pioneering role, according to Schrijver. “Unfortunately, the KNVB leaves it to the clubs. While even national coach Andries Jonker says that development in all regions is essential for the growth of women’s football.
In England, the FA has given clubs financial support to develop women’s football. Something like this should also work here, provided we can tap into new sources of money. If that does not happen, the differences in strength in the competition will only increase. Ajax played in the Champions League and will only be playing full professionals, while we have to make do with five girls with a semi-professional contract. After the match I asked Sherida Spitse if she could play a role in this, because she has the authority and the charisma to set something in motion.”
One of the Heerenveen players with a contract is Ennema, who combines football with a position as a case manager in the prison in Leeuwarden. “It’s just bearable, but I have a contract for 36 of them. Please entice me into my space to combine it. I’m in a lot of tankers there, because I can’t even get through it.” Playing for last place is not Ennema’s ambition, but the financial resources will remain limited next season. As a training club, Heerenveen has acquired a prominent role in women’s football.
Bormans to Twente
Captain Merel Bormans recently signed for FC Twente. For example, last year Nina Nijstad switched to PSV and Dionne van der Wal to Ajax. Tiny Hoekstra made the latter transfer, who scored the 0-1 before halftime, a year earlier. It is a step that star Ennema no longer sees happening for herself. “If I was younger, then I wanted to whiten it.” It is even questionable whether she will stay at Heerenveen. “I am neither here nor out of it. Maybe I wanted to stop at my high point, haha. We sille it sjen.”
Either way, something will have to be done. New acquisitions will have to be offered perspective. With 1,500 spectators in the stands, the atmosphere on Sunday afternoon was certainly Premier League worthy. And if the specter of relegation haunts the Abe Lenstra Stadium next season, Schrijver does not see that as a death blow for women’s football in Heerenveen. “I’d rather not, of course, but you can also play a role as a development club at a lower level.”
