let's built, dream and develop our hdm community

SPONSORCIE - Ashley Hoffman is recovering from an injury and during her recovery she helps HDM with her expertise, for example with designing posters, helping with social media and other media ideas. The sponsoring committee is happy with Ashley's help! And that is why we asked Ashley to tell us how she experienced her time with HDM so far and also to inform the club about the creative way we like to work together and help each other out.

How did you connect?
I came to The Netherlands to play hockey, but one year and one ACL injury later, I find myself taking on new challenges and growing as both a person and working professional at hdm.

That is tough and challenging, but you took a strong turn and got the support from your team and the club?
Immediately after I tore my ACL, one week after playing in the historic playoff weekend for hdm dames 1 against Den Bosch, I feared that I wasn't going to be invited back to play my second season. I wasn't ready to leave Den Haag or hdm even after a season riddled with covid hurdles and no fans. I called Ivar, the head coach of dames 1, and held my breath and my tears back. However, within seconds he told me they would absolutely support me through my recovery and welcome me back to the field when I'm ready. He reminded me that we are a family at hdm and sticking together.
 
Since returning to the Netherlands after surgery I have taken on new roles as number one fan, team yoga instructor, coach for D level teams, and a member of the sponsorship committee. I am thankful to be involved with hdm on multiple levels and in different capacities as it has enhanced my overall experience living abroad.
 
My role in the sponsorship committee in particular has been an exciting new transition. I am looking forward to be able to meet the people behind the logos, and connect deeper to the sponsor community that has enabled me to be here.

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It is a great time to become more involved as there is a reignited wave of enthusiasm for our club. There is an air dome being built and various aspects of the club are being upgraded. This gives me the opportunity to develop my marketing skills and gain experience working in a team to build a vision from the ground up. It's also an especially exciting year because there are a lot of new international players joining the league. It feels like mixing pot of the worlds best talents. Seeing this reminds me that as a young hockey player growing up in America my play would have benefited tremendously from being able to watch the dutch hockey leagues.
 
I continue to be in awe over the hockey community in the Netherlands. Back home, the community support around field hockey is underdeveloped. While in the Netherlands it seems that everyone knows what field hockey is, and most of our sponsors and local businesses have a personal connection to the game. I'd like to highlight this family aspect of the hdm sponsor-community while also sharing my experience training in elite athlete environments. This mixing of cultures, mixing of community and professionalism in sport, I believe can produce winning teams both on the field and off the field. I have a lot to learn but at the same time I think I can offer a fresh pair of eyes and new perspective. Perhaps a wider vision and international focused lens. In the future I would love to see American boys and girls watching hdm on Sundays as well!
 
I look forward to meeting and working with those who play the crucial behind the scene roles at hdm, and continuing to grow this community so that our ambitions can become reality!
 
Thank you, Ashley, for your story! Glad to have you with us on the team, let's built, dream and develop our hdm community further.

sponsoring algemeen Overzicht