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Into the limelight
Minke Booij still can’t believe it. After leading the Dutch team to the World Cup title in Madrid the experienced defender picked up the WorldHockey Player of the Year award. Used to playing alongside more celebrated players who have stolen the limelight in the past, Booij reveals more about herself to Cathy Harris.
Booij was born in Zaanstad (in the west of the Netherlands, just north of Amsterdam) and her parents both played hockey. Her father played in the youth national team and was also a talented tennis player. Booij’s older brother Menno also represented Holland earning around 50 caps, winning a bronze medal at the 2002 World Cup as well as playing in two Champions Trophies.
When she was six years the family moved to Den Bosch (in the south of the Netherlands) and when she was seven Booij began playing for Den Bosch. She studied Communications and PR in Amsterdam living there for four years before moving back to Den Bosch in 2000. Booij now works as an Account Manager for Lutkie Cranenburg, a company producing and selling school supplies, like notebooks and ring binders.
She lives with her boyfriend of nine years, Derk Marijnen.
After playing for all the national youth teams and winning the World Cup in 1997 with the under 21 team, she made her senior debut in 1998 winning her first cap against Japan in September 1998. She scored her first international goal in her 75th appearance against Malaysia in 2001 and now boasts 196 caps and 28 goals.
She says: “The greatest thing about hockey is that you make good friends. Hockey is such a big part of my life and I spend so much time at my club and with the Dutch team. The thing that makes it all worthwhile is not only winning prizes but playing with real friends.
Mijntje Donners, Dillianne van den Boogaard, Ageeth Boomgaardt and Janneke Schopman are not just great players, they are also great friends. Some of them I have known for well over ten years. We grew up together and have happy and sad memories and know each other extremely well. It is no problem that one is captain of the team and the other one is not. We all talk a lot about the game and have great respect for one another.”
What are you most proud of?
I am proud of my hockey achievements, especially winning the World Cup and being elected WorldHockey 2006 Player as well as all the national and European championships with my club. But I am most proud of my achievements outside of hockey. I have a great boyfriend, terrific friends, a close family, a nice house, a good job… just a great life.
The first thing I did when I got home after the World Cup...
Kissed my boyfriend who came to Schiphol to welcome me. After arriving at the airport we had a celebration and directly after that we were due on a television show, so when I arrived home really late, he was already at home waiting for me. And putting all the flowers in water.
I no longer worry about…
What people think of me, if I am a nice girl or a good hockey player, maybe sometimes I still worry a little about the first thing but not anymore about the second.
My favourite song…
I love all kinds of music. I really like Dutch singers and disco music from the seventies, but when I have to say one song in particular I have to say that, ‘Your song’ from Elton John always gives me a good feeling. My father always played that on weekends in the morning when he made breakfast for us.
The thing I remember best in my career…
The last ten seconds of the final of the recent World Cup, that feeling of relief that we finally did it. Of course I also remember the feeling of disbelief after losing the Olympic final in 2004, but that made the feeling of pride after this final even better.
I handle disappointment…
I try to be realistic and down to earth, the world does not evolve around hockey or me. A lot of people do not even know what happened, this helps putting lost finals or other disappointments in to perspective.
What's your favourite holiday destination…
My boyfriend and I love to just take the car, buy a map and drive. We had a great time in the United States, in France and in Germany. Seeing great cities, eating good food or just relaxing on the beach. My father recently bought a house in Spain and I went there briefly this summer and I loved it. Everything is better when the sun shines.
If I could change one rule (in hockey) it would be…
What does it matter when sticks clash. If the umpire sees a defender or attacker clearly making a hitting movement, they should do something about it, but when that is not the case, play on. Often umpires hear something and 90% of the time they think the defender is fouling, which is not always the case. So make the decision on what you see not on what you hear, especially now with the new sticks, it sounds a lot worse, but a stick feels no pain.
I'd like to be remembered…
As a good person. Hockey is very important to me and a very big part of my life and as I said before I am extremely proud of my hockey-achievements. But I would rather be remembered as a person who was there for her friends and family and made a contribution to the lives of the people she cared about.
What's in your make-up bag?
I never play hockey with make up on, but in my day-to-day life I always wear some foundation and mascara. For a party I really like to look my best, I love experimenting with make up.
The best player (or players) I have ever played against….
I have always been glad I played (and still play) with her in the national team as well as in my club. Mijntje Donners. I have never seen anyone with such a winning mentality and her penalty corner can really change the course of a match. Of course Luciana Aymar is technically the best player in the world. Her moves are unbelievable. But hockey is a team sport and I think for years now I have played in the best team in the world and I am happy we finally rewarded ourselves.
The one piece of advice…
My parents gave me: set goals and work hard to achieve them.
How would your friends describe you?
You should really ask my friends, but when I have to say something, I think they would say that I am direct and down to earth and they know they can always count on me.
My parents taught me…
To be strong and independent and go for the things I want to achieve, work hard and have fun.
The person I most admire…
My parents. Unfortunately my mother died when I was 18 years old. She was a strong and independent woman and even though I was young, she taught me some essential things like making your own decisions, taking responsibility and being independent. I also admire my father who is a hard worker and passionate about sports. He was a good tennis and hockey player and is now a single handicap golfer. He taught me to set goals, work hard to achieve them and enjoy and be proud when you do.
I regret
Nothing. I do not make big decisions without thinking long and hard about them and when something does not work out as you had hoped, it is a shame, but you have made your decision for a reason, so it can never be really bad, and a lot of things can be fixed. I wish I was different during puberty because I didn’t know at the time I would have so little time with my mother.
Minke Booij Fact File
2000 Sydney Olympics – bronze
2004 Athens Olympics – silver
2002 World Cup – silver
2006 World Cup – gold
European Championships 1999, 2003, 2005 – gold
Champions Trophy – 2000, 2004, 2005 – gold
Has played for Den Bosch since 1992 when they have won 9 national championship titles and 7 European Club Championship titles.
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