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| Wellington United's Dutch Imports Suzanne Giesen & Marjie van Dam The JourneyFan |
"You play football with your head, legs are there to help you“ is a famous quote from the Dutch master Johann Cruyff and it's one Wellington United coach Guillermo Schiltenwolf paraphrases to describe the clubs two dutch imports, Suzanne Giesen and Marjie van Dam, adding they are technical players with a good football insight.
Suzanne and Marjie both came to Wellington United from Dutch club PEC Zwolle, where Marjie has made 43 appearances and Suzanne 80. This is actually Marjie's second season at Wellington United liking it so much the first year she decided to return.
The link between Wellington United and PEC Zwolle was set up by Wellington United president, John Dow, utilising the Dutch heritage of Wellington United and providing exchanges of players both ways. It was through these exchanges that Suzanne and Marjie met Wellington United players Michaela Robertson and Jayme-lee Hunter who had travelled to the Netherlands to train with PEC Zwolle.
Liking what they heard about New Zealand and seeing the chance to travel and experience a different culture and style of football they jumped at the chance, Suzanne actually contacting Wellington United directly herself rather than waiting for the wheels to slowly turn at PEC Zwolle.
They have found the New Zealand game less tactical than the Dutch game which allows them more freedom here. Suzanne in particular enjoying scoring goals something she didn't do very often in the Netherlands where she had netted just seven in her 80 appearances, she has scored 13 in her nine games for Wellington United so far, including six in one game!
They have found Wellington United extremley friendly, welcoming and have been treated as part of the family from the moment they arrived. The club has worked with them and their training schedules to allow them to travel around New Zealand and even manage a week in Fiji.
They are both looking forward to taking on Dunedin Technical in the semi final of the Kate Sheppard Cup on Saturday (KO 2pm at Newtown Park). After that game Suzanne will be heading back to the Netherlands where she has signed for one of the top clubs in the Dutch league, FC Twente. Marjie will be around a little longer and is hoping to play in the cup final if United overcome Dunedin Technical. After that she's off to Australia for a while and who knows maybe back to Wellington United next season.
Suzanne and Marjie both came to Wellington United from Dutch club PEC Zwolle, where Marjie has made 43 appearances and Suzanne 80. This is actually Marjie's second season at Wellington United liking it so much the first year she decided to return.
The link between Wellington United and PEC Zwolle was set up by Wellington United president, John Dow, utilising the Dutch heritage of Wellington United and providing exchanges of players both ways. It was through these exchanges that Suzanne and Marjie met Wellington United players Michaela Robertson and Jayme-lee Hunter who had travelled to the Netherlands to train with PEC Zwolle.
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| Marjie & Suzanne with team mate Rosie Wild, coach Guillermo Schiltenwolf and the W-League trophy |
They have found the New Zealand game less tactical than the Dutch game which allows them more freedom here. Suzanne in particular enjoying scoring goals something she didn't do very often in the Netherlands where she had netted just seven in her 80 appearances, she has scored 13 in her nine games for Wellington United so far, including six in one game!
They have found Wellington United extremley friendly, welcoming and have been treated as part of the family from the moment they arrived. The club has worked with them and their training schedules to allow them to travel around New Zealand and even manage a week in Fiji.
They are both looking forward to taking on Dunedin Technical in the semi final of the Kate Sheppard Cup on Saturday (KO 2pm at Newtown Park). After that game Suzanne will be heading back to the Netherlands where she has signed for one of the top clubs in the Dutch league, FC Twente. Marjie will be around a little longer and is hoping to play in the cup final if United overcome Dunedin Technical. After that she's off to Australia for a while and who knows maybe back to Wellington United next season.
Come down to Newtown Park to see Marjie and Suzanne in action with the rest of the Wellington United team at 2pm on Saturday in the Kate Sheppard Cup Semi Final.
Entry is by gold coin donation
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