Within the “Wage Hole” sequence, we dive into the world of (un)equal salaries in males’s and girls’s area hockey. On this episode: Rotterdam president Jac Bressers thinks prime area hockey is just too centered on monetary rewards. Below his management, Rotterdam chooses to higher information gamers in constructing a social profession.
Striker Pleasure Haarman signed a contract with Rotterdam in the summertime of 2023, shortly after finishing her grasp’s diploma in america. The membership provided her a market-based payment. An quantity nearer to a volunteer allowance (most 2,100 euros per 12 months) than a full-time annual wage. However Rotterdam additionally helped her discover a job. By the enterprise membership, Haarman got here into contact with communications consultancy Somention, the place she was employed as Senior Group Supervisor. This fashion, she nonetheless has monetary safety along with her area hockey profession.
Rotterdam chooses to information gamers of their social careers, as a substitute of focusing completely on narrowing the wage hole. Chairman Jac Bressers: ‘After all the hole in salaries between women and men in area hockey needs to be closed. However normally we’re speaking about comparatively small quantities, round 10,000 euros per 12 months, whenever you speak about feminine and male internationals. As a substitute of focusing solely on eliminating this distinction, we might reasonably put money into the way forward for our gamers. A social profession provides them way more advantages in the long run than now just a few thousand euros additional per 12 months.
Striker Pleasure Haarman got here Rotterdam to a job at communications consultancy Somention. Photograph: Willem Vernes
A social profession provides them way more long-term advantages than now just a few thousand euros additional per 12 months Rotterdam president Jac Bressers
Among the many males, Rotterdam is the purveyor of the Dutch nationwide staff, with no fewer than eight gamers within the coaching group. As well as, the membership has two Spanish internationals, Joaquín Menini and Marc Recasens, below contract. However that doesn’t imply Rotterdam is throwing cash round. Gamers who play golf equipment from the Tulip huge league towards one another to finally be a part of the one who provides them the best wage, should not have to knock on Rotterdam’s door. Bressers: ‘We don’t take part in that rat race. Our internationals earn a aggressive wage, however there isn’t a room for it anymore. Gamers select Rotterdam as a result of they need to play right here, not as a result of they will earn essentially the most right here.’
Rotterdam provides gamers extra than simply monetary compensation. The membership offers gamers with instruments they will use to put money into their social profession, one thing they are going to profit from all through their lives as soon as they hold up their stick. This season, Rotterdam launched a twin coach: a specialist who guides gamers in constructing their careers exterior of area hockey and factors out the varied potentialities. This method is just like the function of former worldwide Wietske de Ruiter on the KNHB, who encourages gamers of the Dutch nationwide staff to enter the job market and put together for the longer term exterior the game.
Bressers: ‘Hockey is primary for us, however we encourage gamers to actively put money into their social profession, so long as their prime sports activities agenda permits it. For instance, by taking a course or doing a taster internship. Older gamers, who’ve already accomplished their schooling and know what path they need to take, we assist them discover a job. That means they earn an additional pocket cash, however extra importantly, they achieve invaluable work expertise, as a substitute of standing nonetheless on the job market.’
Worldwide Thijs van Dam is gaining work expertise at Topsportnetwerk alongside his sporting profession with Rotterdam. Photograph: Rob Römer
Thijs van Dam beneficial properties work expertise
Rotterdam cooperates with Topsportnetwerk, a company that guides prime athletes in constructing their social profession. Topsportnetwerk provides assist to find a job, for instance, but in addition helps when prime athletes need to retrain, do an internship or comply with programs. The prices for these companies are borne totally by Rotterdam, so gamers themselves should not have to pay something for this steering.
The method is paying off: a number of gamers have already discovered jobs by way of the enterprise membership or Topsportnetwerk. For instance, worldwide Thijs van Dam accomplished his MBO course in business economics in 2018, however then centered totally on his area hockey profession. Now he’s gaining work expertise a number of hours per week, nota bene at Topsportnetwerk itself.
In addition to Pleasure Haarman, Iris Nikerk, the not too long ago discontinued goalkeeper of Girls 1, additionally discovered a job by way of Rotterdam’s enterprise membership. She now works at LBC Tank Terminals, as Operational Excellence Officer. One other participant from Girls 1 has been provided a job by way of Topsportnetwerk, as has a participant from Males 1. Bressers: ‘The outcomes exceed all our expectations. They verify that we’ve got taken the proper path.’
