- News release
Rotterdam goalkeeper Nikerk stops playing hockey with immediate effect
Rotterdam goalkeeper Iris Nikerk has decided to quit hockey with immediate effect. The 25-year-old closing post, who has played at the club since 2019, has been struggling with mental challenges for months and felt hockey was asking more of her than it was giving her.
Last Saturday, Nikerk was still present at her team's home match against Den Bosch (0-2), but as a spectator instead of a player. Her successor, young Olivia van der Knaap, made her starting debut and was applauded by the team afterwards. 'Ollie did a fantastic job,' Nikerk said admiringly.
The former goalkeeper had been struggling with the mental strain of top-level sport for some time. 'I have been struggling with myself for months. Noticed that hockey demanded much more from me than I got in return. I ended up in a negative spiral,' she says. The constant pressure and worries about her performance had a big impact on her daily life. 'I became a less pleasant, fun and good Iris. Here at the team, but also to my boyfriend and at work.'
The decision to quit did not come out of the blue. Earlier, Nikerk had considered putting an end to her career. 'I read the stories of Justen Blok and Maria Verschoor and recognised myself in their words. About choosing for yourself. Defining your limits.' Her teammates responded understandingly to her decision. 'Above all, they were very sweet to me. Put me at ease right away. Even thought it was brave that I was doing this.'
Since her decision, Nikerk feels relieved. 'Everyone may think this is very weird. But this is better for myself and the team. A last one fell off my shoulders. I no longer worry about all those peripheral issues, which took away so much time and energy. I'm happy again and I haven't been for a while.'
Despite her farewell, she remains connected to the team. 'We have a dinner tonight and I was hoping I would still be welcome there. Fortunately, I was.'
Her teammates reacted understandingly to her decision. 'They were mostly very sweet to me. Put me at ease right away. Even thought it was brave that I was doing this.'
Since her decision, Nikerk feels relieved. 'Everyone may think this is very weird. But this is better for myself and the team. A last one fell off my shoulders. I no longer worry about all those peripheral issues, which took away so much time and energy. I'm happy again and I haven't been for a while.'
Despite her farewell, she remains connected to the team. 'We have a dinner tonight and I was hoping I would still be welcome there. Fortunately, I was.'
