The Tribune: Rob starts new career

By Indervir Grewal

At one end of the blue pitch, the Australian players, wearing their typical sleeveless shirts even on a cold and windy day, warmed up for their opening match, against Argentina. Shouting out instructions between carrying out mundane chores like clearing the field of training jerseys, was a bald man in his mid-30s.

The man, going about his job in an unassuming manner, is one of the most successful players in hockey history. Rob Hammond, having won one Olympics (2004) and two World Cup (2010, 2014) titles, was one of the greatest midfielders of his generation.

The 35-year-old, who retired in 2014, joined the junior team’s coaching staff as an assistant coach three months ago. Coaching was the next rational step for Hammond, who was known for his leadership skills.

“I tell you, it makes me miss my playing days,” said Hammond about the start of his coaching career. “Playing is the easiest job!”

Hammond had 256 appearances for the Kookaburras, which should make the junior players automatically respect him. So do the players take him more seriously because he was such a successful player? “It doesn’t matter. If you are a successful player who can’t coach, the boys will know,” he said.

Another European rivalry

The final hooter went, with the score reading Belgium 3, Netherlands 2; the men in red and black, spread all over the pitch, let out bellows of joy and ran towards each other to celebrate the come-from-behind win. It was a thrilling match with the lead changing hands four times and the last goal coming in the penultimate minute. Still, it was surprising to see such emotional celebrations, which lasted long after the presentation ceremony, for a pool win.

“It was a stressful match but we deserved to win it. It is important to top the pool to avoid Australia in the quarterfinals,” said Belgium captain Victor Wegnez.

Asked about the celebrations, a wry smile broke out on Wegnez’s face. “It is always special to beat the Netherlands,” he said. The Germany-Netherlands rivalry is very famous; is there a Belgian rivalry with the Dutch? “Yes, we share a huge border, so it’s a bigger rivalry,” the captain said.

Belgium coach Jeroen Baart added that being neighbours, the emotions always run high.

Netherlands coach Eric Verboom agreed. “We were always the favourites, we had the bigger clubs. But now their hockey has grown and they are getting more clubs,” said Verboom.

Belgium’s famous 3-1 win over the Netherlands in the semifinals of the Rio Olympics, where they won the silver, has brought a new European rivalry to the fore.