Ever since she was 11 years old, she wore the Amsterdam jersey. The past eight years she was in the big league in the red-and-black of the capital. But now Noor de Baat (24) wears the blue and white of Kampong. And that suits her well: with a smile and an instant goal in her pocket, she celebrated her first prize in Utrecht this weekend, winning the ABN AMRO tournament.
When goalkeeper Babette Backers stopped SCHC striker Pien Dicke’s effort in the shoot-out series, De Klapperboom exploded. All Kampong players ran towards their goalie, flew into each other’s arms and shared the first hugs and medals of the season. On their own field Kampong had won the preparation tournament of the big league, and that at the expense of the regional rival in an attractive final, where after sixty minutes the score was 3-3.
In the midst of the festivities was De Baat, who seems to have found her feet in her first weeks in Utrecht and who rewarded that Sunday afternoon with the third goal. She has to laugh when asked about it. ‘I didn’t quite expect it to go so fast either,’ she says at the edge of the pitch in the sun-drenched stands. ‘Everything was new. I knew some girls, but that was it. It really took some getting used to, though.
Noor de Baat and her new teammates. Photo: Ewout Pahud
Ready for the news after thirteen years
The past thirteen years De Baat played for the club from the capital. There she became national champion twice, European club champion three times and national indoor champion once. Meanwhile, she went through all youth selections and became world champion with the Dutch Junior, Junior Hall and Junior 5s. But the step towards the big Oranje did not come, except for two Pro League matches with a Dutch B-selection.
And perhaps for that reason, the midfielder decided to make the move to Utrecht. Although it was not a search of her own – Kampong approached her last winter – the moment turned out to be just right. Time for new steps. ‘At first I thought: no, I’m not going to do that. But the longer I thought about it, the more logical it became,’ she says. De Baat was not the only one to leave Amsterdam. No less than nine players left. But the exodus did not affect her choice, she says. ‘Of course you knew things were rumbling. That things were going on. But after eight years in Amsterdam I felt this could be a nice step. At Kampong I had a good feeling from the first interview.’
With all those awards in his pocket, De Baat might as well have stayed with an established top club. Because although Kampong has made the playoffs in the past, the team has not yet managed to join the classic top three of Den Bosch, SCHC and Amsterdam. Yet De Baat by no means saw her move as a step back. ‘That was not a thing for me. The only stumbling block was the travel time. First I jumped on my bike to training, now I’m in the car. But I can make new steps here, so I definitely don’t see it as a demotion.’
Noor de Baat. Photo: Ewout Pahud
More freedom than at Amsterdam
Those new steps are especially visible in her game. At Kampong, De Baat gets the room to play freer and more attacking field hockey. ‘I feel looser here. I connect in front more often and sometimes even end up in the circle. That gives me energy. At Amsterdam I had a more fixed role, here I can vary and also develop personally.’
In addition, her experience is appreciated. ‘I have been through the playoffs, won titles and have some experience in the top of the big league. At Kampong they ask me to also think along tactically and give my input. That is fun to do, especially in a team that is becoming more experienced itself.’
The move to Utrecht comes with high ambitions. Last season Kampong just missed the play-offs, mainly by playing too many draws. This year has to be different. ‘Our goal is clear: make the playoffs. That means we actually have to win every game. Also against the top clubs,’ says De Baat. And that is just a little different than she was used to. ‘We are a little more the underdog, but that is also nice.’
Photo: Ewout Pahud
The support of her parents
With a first prize in her pocket, a smile on her face and a clear ambition for the rest of the season, the move to Kampong is already a success for De Baat. The midfielder feels at home in Utrecht, plays with more freedom and is looking forward to the new challenges.
‘It is a fresh start. I’m glad I made this choice. This is exactly the right moment. And how we play now, I fully support that,’ she assures. And some things remain the same. De Baat still wears a big, white hair band and her parents are there every game. ‘But now they shout very loudly Kampong, instead of Amsterdam,’ she laughs.
