International hockey makes a cautious return in Europe as the Netherlands men's team gears up for its first FIH Pro League fixture in more than eight months. The world number three side will host Great Britain in Amstelveen on October 27 and 29, marking a significant step back to competition in a pandemic-altered sporting landscape.
The Long Wait and a New Normal
The Dutch team's last international outing was in mid-February 2020 in Argentina, where they drew both Pro League games but won the shootouts. Shortly after, the coronavirus was declared a pandemic, leading to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics and a global sports shutdown. The Pro League was postponed indefinitely by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) as safety became the paramount concern.
International hockey tentatively resumed in September when Germany hosted Belgium. The return introduced a new set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Personal water bottles, face masks, sanitizers, and a strict 'no outside contact' policy became mandatory. Celebratory high-fives were out, replaced by fist-bumps, as sports entered the era of the bio-secure bubble.
Strict Dutch Protocols for Home Fixtures
For the upcoming matches, the Dutch hockey federation has implemented rigorous protocols, with some unique additions. The team entered a bio-bubble on October 25, which will remain in place until after the second game against Great Britain. In a significant departure from tradition, there will be no team bus to ferry players and staff. Instead, they will use their personal cars to travel between the hotel and the ground in Amstelveen.
Coach Max Caldas highlighted that understanding these new "rules of engagement" is among the toughest challenges. In an interview, he likened the stringent environment to playing in Bhubaneswar, India, where the Dutch team has historically maintained strict discipline regarding health protocols. The team's meeting rooms, dining areas, and hotel rooms are completely off-limits to other guests and outsiders, with regular testing in place.
Coach Caldas on Lockdown and Future Plans
Speaking about the extended break, Caldas shared that the lockdown period allowed him valuable family time, which his demanding job often limits. He emphasized controlling controllable factors and adapting to the current times. From a hockey perspective, the period provided an opportunity to rethink strategies and program details for the postponed Tokyo Olympics.
Regarding the mental challenges of bio-bubbles, Caldas noted his team's bubble periods are relatively short—five days for this series and three later—so burnout is less of a concern compared to sports requiring longer isolation. The team's immediate focus is squarely on the two games against Great Britain, a side that has had a strong recent record against the Dutch.
The Netherlands will next travel to neighboring Belgium for an away Pro League tie, planning to be in the country for only 6-8 hours on match day to comply with local regulations, which differ from the Dutch rules. Caldas stressed the need for flexibility and a light-footed approach as the world continues to change daily, with the ultimate goal of peaking at the Tokyo Olympics.
