Boria: Welcome Janneke Schopman! Big tournament coming up, thoughts? Wish you a very happy new year and make it happier for us!
Schopman: Thank you and happy new year to you too! It’s an important two weeks coming up. We are ready, excited but pressure is there. We had a lot of learnings for the last couple of months. We are hoping that we are ready to go. I know we are ready to go but never know what other teams will do.
Boria: Did the trip to Spain help to get the team together?
Schopman: It was good that we were allowed to take 22 players there. We had some injuries unfortunately and more experienced players were not being able to participate. But the good news is that we have a lot of young talent and they got the opportunities there, will get opportunities here. I am excited and know that they can play good hockey. We are going to show our best but Spain was very helpful in that respect because we have seen so many Asian teams, have not seen so much western style of the hockey in the last couple of months. So, the Spain tournament was important to get back to that different style of play.
Boria: Germany is higher than most of the other teams that coming here. But, when I look at the rest of the draw, we can take out any of the other teams. Am I right in that assessment?
Schopman: Last couple of years have shown highly tight competitive matches with majority of the teams. I think what we have done in the last years, have shown that we are a good team and going closer to the top of Women’s Hockey. New Zealand, United States, Germany, Japan, Chile all these teams and these matches are something different. I think there will be tightly contested matches. Germany is little bit better than rest but other than that, it is anyone’s game. We are good enough to compete and beat these teams.
Boria: How much pressure and how you deal it on and off the field?
Schopman: On the field, for me, I know what I am doing! Girls know what they are doing as a team! We had some tough lessons and that how life works. The only thing that I hope is that we learn those lessons and show up the play. I know the crowd will support us tremendously and can not predict the outcomes. I will also try to enjoy it and the Asian Champions Trophy was a great experience for me as a coach, for the first time coaching in India.
I have never experienced something like that and it is a fantastic experience to feel that the fans standing behind us. It is something that we can use and need also. It might push us through the difficult moments and pressure, it is life right! I have chosen this job, have chosen to be a coach at the highest level and it is what it is! I know that I can deal with pressure and I was able to do it as a player, will be able to do it as a coach. The same I tell to the players that pressure will be there but you just have to play and find a strategy to enjoy it, to work hard and go for it.
Boria: How important will be the backing of the crowd as the whole country will be there, showing support to you and your girls!
Schopman: Some people might say that it will put an extra pressure on your team. It actually does not. I feel when you are a player or a coach also, this is for what you want to play. I played some hocky at home which was a great experience. I played hockey in Argentina and Women’s hockey in Argentina is just the same! To the girls, just embrace it, enjoy it and just have a go because these are the unique moments in your career playing in front of your home crowd.
The only thing people want to see that you fight, try and keep trying and that is what we are as a team. We will not give up and fight till the end.
Boria: Thoughts on Savita Punia and Vanadana!
Schopman: All the players are evolving and as a coach, my job is that these girls learn more about themselves, develop themselves into leaders. Savita is just an example of a great athlete. Someone who wants to get better, wants to learn and open to new things. Quite aware where are her strengths and weaknesses. That is something special. I value every player the same way and she is someone, whom I appreciate.
As with Vandana, she has found her own way but she broke her Cheekbone. Unfortunately, she is now not going to be here but Vandana has an incredible energy. Even now, she is sending messages and she has some inevitable spirit. I do not want any player to get injured but I think we have backups. I am excited to see where we are!
Boria: Will having a mental health conditioning person help in a tournament like this?
Schopman: For me, it helps. Peter is coming and I have known him for a long time. I trust him and he understands me. He is honest with me and gives me feedbacks that I need to hear. All girls responded very well to him. He is very calm and listens very well. He has his own way of explaining and very authentic as well. His presence will definitely help us and it definitely helps me because he is someone, I can rely on. I need to be in my best form to help the players to be the best they can be!