Podcast: Dennis Bergkamp and Minke Smabers on talent identification

In this week’s EuroHockey Institute Podcast throwback, we go to March 2021 and series three when Jack Rolfe spoke with Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp and Dutch star Minke Smabers – both Top Hockey board members at the time with Laren MHC.

Bergkamp is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation following sparkling spells with Ajax, Arsenal and the Dutch national team.

Upon retiring, he insisted he would not move into coaching. However, in April 2008, he began a fast-track coaching diploma for former Dutch international footballers and undertook a trainee role at Ajax with whom his first formal coaching position was responsibility for the D2 (U12) youth team. Following the promotion of Frank de Boer as manager of Ajax in December 2010, Bergkamp was appointed assistant manager to Fred Grim, dealing with Ajax’ flagship A1 (U19) youth team.

He subsequently pivoted to focus more on field training and helping youth players reach the first team.

Smabers was part of the team that won the 2007 Champions Trophy. During the Champions Trophy she became the all-time record holder in caps for the national team, wearing the orange jersey for the 235th time in her career in the final, breaking Mijntje Donners’ record. She won an Olympic gold medal with the Dutch team by beating China in the final of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Have a listen to their fascinating chat from a unique perspective:

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