Nominees for Coach of the year 2018-2019
Simon Leistra
Simon Leistra, working as a teacher and researcher for sports science at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, brings a large portion of knowledge and experience to the table as a Judo trainer for the G.S.B.V. de Mattekloppers competition team. Simon has an exceptional sense of being able to recognize what his athletes of different levels need to be able to put down their performance. This makes him a valued part of the association. This can be seen not only by the popularity and atmosphere during his training, but also at national and international competitions where his Judokas constantly compete for the prizes. In the last 3 years, Simon has coached at least 3 athletes at national championships every year. Among other things, only a silver medal at the O21 NK and a bronze medal at the Mixed Teams were won last year. Teacher, motivator and sensei. That is our coach of the year, Simon Leistra!
Daniëlle Boonstra
We at G.S.P.V. Parafrid have nominated our instructor Daniëlle for the sports prize. Daniëlle is no longer active in competitive sport, but has coached us in the past year. In January 2019, we switched from class accommodation to riding school De Bongerd in Glimmen. Daniëlle became the new permanent instructor of the Parafrid lessons at De Bongerd stables. The members were very happy with her and every lesson she was there for us. After the switch to the De Bongerd stables, it was good to see that many members made great progress as a result of the lessons of Daniëlle. Daniëlle became ill during the summer holidays. That is why she is unfortunately no longer in top form, but she is still doing her best for us. She has been giving one of our six dressage lessons since a few months and she has given our jumping lessons once again. She always works very hard, even if she should just take a break. With Daniëlle, not one achievement is special, she is always there for us. We think that Daniëlle deserves this prize because, despite setbacks, she is teaching again. She also earns this prize not only for teaching us, but also for teaching the children at the riding school. She has picked this up again for a while, because she really is a hard-working woman who cannot sit still.
Michiel Riemslag
What can we say about this fine man? Michiel Riemslag is 75 years young, the owner of a beautiful white beard and comes from the far east of this province. If you had to summarize him in a few words, you would probably get something like: experience, expertise, involvement and above all a heart for the sport. Michiel is now a coach at G.S.Z.V. De Golfbreker for some time and he is present at the pool every Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, after which he continues another hour at the same pool but this then for Tritanium. For three hours in a warm pool in cramped chlorine filled air, this man does it without complaining and just for that he deserves a prize. In addition to De Golfbreker and Tritanium, Michiel is/was also active at De Kikker in Emmen, Regional Talent Centre in Drachten and ZPC Stadskanaal in Stadskanaal. Whether it is 6 o’clock in the morning in Dokkum or 8 o’clock in the evening in Tilburg, Michiel is ready to stand by the pool. That is why a vote for Michiel is not just a vote for him, but for all the tireless volunteers that we all too desperately need in the world of sports.
