Iconic SV Kampong goalkeeper David Harte is set to move away from the club next season following 13 incredible years in Utrecht.

He was hailed as “the most important purchase ever” by long-time team mate Constantijn Jonker – with whom he won the EHL in 2016 – in an item with RTV Utrecht.

During his time at Kampong, he also won the Dutch title three times (2017, 2018 and 2024) as well as winning the FIH Goalkeeper of the Year gong twice.

Speaking to hockey.nl this week, he said it has been an incredible journey in the Netherlands, one which started with a two-year stint with SCHC after an “open letter” to Dutch clubs to see if anyone would take a chance on him.

“I sent this email to all the Hoofdklasse clubs as a young goalkeeper;” he said. “I really wanted to end up at a Dutch club, to develop myself in the best competition in the world.

“Of course, I never thought it would be this great. I have reread this email many times because I must never forget how it all started.”

Since then, he has become one of the most iconic figures in the club’s history, ingraining himself in the culture of the city. He subsequently got married in the cathedral in Utrecht while his two daughters were born in the Netherlands.

As such, it is with a heavy heart that he will move on, a decision made for family reasons.

“I told the club two months ago that I am not an option for next season’, says Harte. He clears his throat: “It hurt to say that. We are going to Belfast with our family, the city my wife Lyn comes from.

“This is the moment to make the move. My eldest daughter will go to primary school there next season.

“[Managing family life] was already a puzzle last year leading into the Olympic Games. Even longer away from home, even more arrangements.

“You know that I missed a few matches in the Pro League because we didn’t have a babysitter. You don’t want a situation like that to last too long. That’s why it’s good now. More space. More time together. And more family nearby.”

He now has Easter’s EHL to look ahead to in Den Bosch and the push for another Dutch championship with Kampong over the next two months.

“That would be wonderful. However it ends, I have made friends for life here. And that counts more for me than all the cups and titles put together.”

Braxgata’s Louise Versavel says there it more to come from her side as they look forward to the second half of the Belgian league and their upcoming EHL debut at Easter.

Brax qualified for EHL Women by virtue of their runners-up spot in last year’s national championship and are in decent contention for the playoffs again this season.

They are in third spot in the Carlsberg 0.0 league with 21 points out of 36 with Gantoise and Dragons up ahead of them.

“It’s true that we’re not where we want to be yet,” Versavel to the league’s official website.

“With the team we have, more is possible. However, we’re not playing badly, we had most of the matches under control but we’re not yet succeeding in creating enough big chances.”

As such, Versavel hopes that everything will fall into place quickly towards the second part of the competition. “That is perfectly possible. Despite the fact that many teams are doing well, we certainly want to secure our play-off place as soon as possible. Our focus? If the opponent plays defensively, we have to succeed in creating more in the small space.”

Looking to the EHL, she adds: “It is an honour to compete with the best twelve teams in Europe. We are really looking forward to it. We will meet Club de Campo in the round of 16. That is not the easiest draw, but on the other hand we did avoid an absolute top team like SCHC!”

They restart their season after the winter break on Sunday when they come up against Leuven.

** Interview with Werner Thys

Maria Verschoor has announced her retirement from the international game following an incredible career, encompassing 214 caps, two Olympic, four European and one World Cup gold.

The 2022 and 2024 EHL winning captain will also call time on her club career with AH&BC Amsterdam at the end of this season.

“It feels good to make this choice,” she said in an article on hockey.nl. “I have had some great years, but I am moving on now. When you feel it, you feel it. It’s been great. I’ve been through everything. Now it’s time to see what I want to see. What gives me energy. I need freedom.”

It means the 30-year-old’s final act in a Dutch context was a shoot-out in the Olympic final in Paris. After that, she took time to travel before playing in the Hockey India League.

Prior to that, she had not thought about retiring but the rest allowed her time to realign her priorities and plans for the future.

“Before I left [for Brazil], I really thought I would join the team again. But it doesn’t feel like that anymore. I didn’t really expect that at all but I’m very satisfied. I’ve had a fantastic career. I don’t need another European or World Championship. I’m looking forward to other things.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing hockey abroad for a year. After thirteen years in the Hoofdklasse, I want something different. I want to choose adventure and the good life.

“I am going to take the time to see what I want. What gives me energy. I do not see myself working from nine to five. I want to start something myself. I have so many great ideas. Think of coaching talents online or building my own health community.”

It means Dutch fans will have a couple of months to see the icon in action for AH&BC on the local scene before she makes her next move, a series of matches she is really looking forward to.

“I’m going to enjoy it immensely. And I want to give it my all. I promised my teammates that too. I want to finish the play-offs well, no matter what.”

The Spanish league returns after a three-month break this weekend with Club de Campo’s women looking to continue their powerful run in the competition.

Campo has won nine consecutive games and only lost one game with one draw to date, building a six-point advantage at the midway stage of the competition.

And they can further strengthen that hold when they play against third placed Junior FC on Sunday in what is the weekend’s key fixture.

The two-time EHL GRAND FINALISTS continue to have a star-studded side with Begoña Garcia, Belen Iglesias, Bea and Blanca Perez, Candela Mejias, Coti and Florencia Teves, Sara and Laura Barrios, Alejandra Torres-Quevedo and Maria Lopez bringing a wealth of experience.

Atlètic Terrassa have been the surprise package this season in second place and they will face UD Taburiente in their Sunday fixture.

Spain’s other EHL FINAL12 side, Real Club de Polo, travel to Sardinero. They are currently sitting in a share of third spot with Junior and Club Egara on 20 points as they look forward to their first EHL campaign.

Surbiton face a key derby date with Wimbledon on Saturday as their top six tussle continues in the women’s English Hockey League.

In a hugely competitive tussle, they drew with fellow title-chasers Reading 2-2 last weekend in their first outdoor fixture of 2025.

They led twice with Alice Sharp and Izzy Petter both on the mark but the Ding hit back with goals from Georgia Howe and Georgia Jones to share the spoils.

It leaves Surbiton in third spot in the table, five points back from Hampstead & Westminster and one point behind Reading with four more rounds of this top six phase to be played.

Wimbledon will be the first of those for the seals – who face SK Slavia Prague in the EHL FINAL12 on April 16 – with a win set to mathematically assure them of a top four place.

Their side has a healthy contingent from the new-look English women’s side with Sophie Hamilton, Izzy Petter, Darcy Bourne, Katie Curtis and Martha Taylor all involved over the winter in the FIH Pro League.

They combine with the experience of Giselle Ansley and Erica Sanders as they look to make an impact in Europe at Easter.

Railway Union’s international stars could go straight back into club action this weekend as the EY Hockey League returns in Ireland with the 15th round of matches.

The Dublin club travels to bottom-ranked UCC as they look to continue their push for an EY Champions Trophy semi-final spot with key players Sarah Hawkshaw, Róisín Upton and Katie Mullan coming back into the fold after their exploits at the FIH Nations Cup.

Ireland finished in second place overall, missing out on the title in a shoot-out to New Zealand after initially winning their first four games.

Mullan’s powerful strike had given the Green Army a shoot-out chance in the final, equalising in the closing minutes, but the Blacksticks produced a flawless shoot-out series for the victory.

As such, their thoughts turn back to the domestic season where Railway are in second place in the regular season table, five points back from leaders Loreto who have played one game less.

The league offers playoff spots for the top six teams with the top two going straight to the semi-finals and it will be this target chief in their mind.

In the absence of their international trio, Railway have continued to impress, reaching the semi-finals of the Irish Senior Cup as well as the final of the regional Jacqui Potter Leinster Senior Cup which will take place on St Patrick’s Day.

It makes for a busy run before they make their debut in the Euro Hockey League at Easter against SCHC on April 16th.