Team Netherlands
Orlando, 2016
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I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul
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After months of preparation, hard training, learning (new) technologies and perfecting, building and shaping teams, it is about to happen ...
Our Dutch Invictus Games Team is 'coming to America'! The final step of an impressive change for all of them. Now we can see how they have changed their permanent disability in new possibilities, meaning and, in any event, a more sportive perspective.
All with the same motivation they will "compete and meet’ by participating from May 8-12 in the Invictus Games with more than 500 other Invictus athletes from as many as 15 countries. Supported by their "family & friends" the Dutch Invictus team will represent the
Netherlands. They will show that with their willpower, motivation and perseverance they are invincible -invictus-.
We proudly present the Dutch team, who they are and the sports they will compete in.
Masters of their fate, captains of their souls: they are Invictus !
Background Invictus Games
The first Invictus Games were held in 2014 in London. Initiator for this is Great Britain's Prince Harry, who himself was deployed several times as a soldier to Afghanistan. Partly because of the huge popularity of the English prince and his dedication and commitment, the Invictus Games were a huge success. This second edition will be held from May 8 to May 12. This time America will be host. The games take place in Orlando. Fifteen countries, including the Netherlands, will be participating.
During his own deployment Prince Harry saw many soldiers who had been so seriously injured that they will be disabled for the rest of their lives. He was impressed by the strength, passion and tremendous motivation of these servicemen and women who found a way to move on with their lives and thereby set themselves no limits. After he attended the
Warrior Games in America in 2013, he brought the Invictus Games to life: an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
Main purpose of the Invictus Games is to gain recognition for the veterans of the participating countries for what they have achieved. The word "Invictus" means
"undefeated." It embodies the fighting spirit of the soldiers and what they know to also reach after a sustained disability. The Invictus Games demonstrate the power of sport to inspire others to support the rehabilitation and generate a broader understanding and respect for (Dutch) veterans.
The Invictus Games go beyond the participating servicemen and women. The immediate surroundings of the servicemen and women are also part of it. Husbands, wives, (grand) children, family, they are part of the 'Invictus' thought. This is also why ‘family and friends’ are part of the delegation.
“ These games have shone a spotlight on the ‘unconquerable’ character of service men and women and their families and their ‘invictus’ spirit. These games have been about seeing guys sprinting for the finish line and then turning around to clap the last man in. They have been about teammates choosing to cross the line together. These games have shown the very best of the human spirit.”
TEAM THE NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands will participate with 30 athletes. All 30 have different backgrounds, but all want to achieve the same goal: to be invictus... A small selection:
Rahmon, Active Duty, Captain - Teamcaptain
Zondervan joined the Dutch Army as an armored infantryman at the age of 17. Two years later he was send to Afghanistan as a Combat
Life Saver and PZF-marksman. Due to a suicide bomber in Deh Rahwood in 2007 Zondervan was severely wounded. 250 stitches, hearing trauma from the blast and losing his right eye.
During the Invictus Games he will be
participating at swimming, cycling and athletics.
“By taking part in sport events it helps me to get rid of thoughts i can’t use. It frees my mind. The Invictus Games feel like one big family, we all got in the same circumstances and lost something and in the worst case someone. Other to that, it's an honor to be part in such an event in name of our country and to set personal records.”
Johan, Active Duty Military Police
“Be a warrior, not a worrier. I AM maybe not the fastest, I AM maybe not the strongest, but i will try to be the hardest. Therefor: I AM.”
Paul, Retired, Sergeant Major
Eight years ago Gommers made a parachute landing on a 3x3 meters plate in the ‘hofvijver’, a small lake next to the building of the Dutch Parliament, to raise attention for Veteransday. During this jump his ankle and leg was badly injured. After eight years of pain and many surgeries his lower leg was recently amputated.
“I am a 2.0 version of myself after a lot of pain for 8 years. The healing power of sports brought me to what I am today. Invictus Games Londen was the start of programming this new version. The support and friendship help me to make difficult decisions. My personal goal: walk with my
prostheses and win a medal at the recurve archery
Paulus, Retired, 32 Infantry Brigade
“As a little boy at the of 6, I started track and field until my juniors, from that point I switched sports to Baseball and after that I went into the army. We are trained to go on missions, to handle in the most dangerous circumstances. We know how to keep peace and bring back security to the people. Unfortunately, sometimes we lose buddies or we get wounded ourselves. Nevertheless we are trained to get the best of ourselves and to break
boundaries when necessary. I am wounded, I was lost, broken, disappointed, honorably discharged, but: undefeated and combative. I have fought my way back in society. Sports like track and field gave me the drive to conquer my struggles and to train my body and mind in the best way to find back my joy and purpose of life!”
‘Invictus’ – a poem by William Ernest Henley
Generations have drawn on the words of Willem Ernest Henley’s poem for strength during times of adversity. Henley was himself an amputee and the poem reflects his long battle with illness. The title means ‘unconquered’ and the 16 short lines of the poem encapsulate the indefatigable human spirit, which is at the heart of the Invictus Games.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Anthony
Sitting volleyball Basketball Track & field Powerlifting
Celalettin
Sitting volleyball Track & field
Daniel
Swimming Track & field Cycling
Edwin Cycling Edwin Sitting volleyball Basketball Rowing Wheelchair tennis Erik Sitting volleyball Archery
Erik Sitting volleyball Powerlifting Frank Swimming Jaaike Sitting volleyball Track & field
Jack
Basketball Track & field
Johan
Sitting volleyball Track & field Rowing
Kelly
Sitting volleyball Track & field Rowing Powerlifting
Kenny Basketball Field Powerlifting Maarten Swimming Cycling Olaf Sitting volleyball Basketball Track & field
Paul Sitting volleyball Basketball Archery Paulus Sitting volleyball Basketball Track & field
Rahmon
Swimming Track & field Cycling
Rob
Sitting volleyball Track & field
Rodney Sitting volleyball Basketball Wheelchair tennis Roelof Basketball Cycling
Roger Archery Ronald Basketball Swimming Sebastiaan Basketball Swimming Cycling
Stephanie
Sitting volleyball Track & field
Stephanie
Swimming Track & field Cycling
Sven
Therry
Sitting volleyball Basketball Track & field
Thijs Basketball Cycling Toninho Basketball Field Powerlifting
Contact
Media enquiries, please contact:
Ms A. Langius, press officer
Mobile phone: +31 (0)6 83 63 51 90 Email: a.langius@mindef.nl
Captain L. De Haan, press officer Mobile phone: +31 (0)6 13 51 03 08 Email: L.d.Haan.02@mindef.nl
