Every year, the Dutch Football Practice Masters Union (VVON) nominates three trainers in the six districts. To be eligible for a VVON Award, a head coach must work in amateur football at UEFA A level, i.e. first division or higher. Trainers who are affiliated with the union can then vote, after which the winner per district will be selected on Friday, May 10 during the national trainers’ conference in the PEC Zwolle stadium.
In South I, Blauw Geel’38 coach Maurice Verbunt is one of the nominees. After starting in the middle bracket, his team is close to a place in the play-offs for promotion to the second division. In the final he will compete against Mark Klippel, who won the first division title with RBC, and Dennis de Nooijer. The former professional is six points clear in the fourth division with four games to go.
The jury is full of praise for Verbunt’s performance this season. “Maurice always gets the maximum return from his group of players with the right balance between attacking and defensive football. And that with an attractive way of playing. Thanks to his years of experience, he is stress-resistant and sticks to his football ideas.”
Furthermore, according to the report, football animal Verbunt likes to work on youth clinics, training meetings and as a teacher of youth trainers within the club. “He also always contributes to providing further training organized by the VVON, with which he makes a major contribution to the development of amateur football.”
He also receives praise for his cooperation with the Under-23s and for his input into the policy of the football academy. On May 10 it will be announced who will succeed Nemelaer trainer Theo van Geffen as the best trainer in South I.
All candidates per district for Trainer of the Year:
South 1: Mark Klippel (RBC), Dennis de Nooijer (Goes), Maurice Verbunt (Blue Yellow’38).
South 2: Maurice Hendriks (Valkenswaard), Raymond Koenraadt (Mierlo-Hout), Jan Pruijn (Volharding).
West 1: Chris de Graaf (Spakenburg), Jasper Ketting (HBC), Sander Middelbeek (Ajax Saturday).
West 2: Thomas Duivenvoorden (Quick Boys), Leen van Steensel (Barendrecht) and Peter Wubben (Spijkenisse).
East: Jeroen van Haaren (Orion), Stephan Rahantoknam (WHC) and Jos van der Veen (Excelsior’31).
North: Erwin Heerlijn (Oranje Nassau), Arjen Postma (Flevo Boys) and René van der Weij (Genemuiden).
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