As a super fan, Bolsward’s ‘man in the hat’ also receives a keepsake every now and then

“It was from her. I had a burnout and I took his father to a competition, ”says the 58-year-old“ super supporter ”, as he calls himself. “I already received a European Championship jersey in 2009, but it is hanging in the canteen of SC Bolsward.”

It all started over twelve years ago, when Houwer visited the European Championship qualifier Netherlands – Spain in 2008. “I knew Loes from my RES club and wanted to see her in action. I stopped and you have to do something else. And Volendam wasn’t the end of the world either. The keeper of Hichtum is the first choice of Orange, which is on the eve of a charm offensive in our country. Houwer falls in love with her.

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“It was fun, the mood took hold of me. Orange qualified and I booked straight away for the European Championship in Finland. This is where it all began. Since then, the Bolswarder has become an indispensable part of an orange women’s match. The counter has now reached 120 international matches and Houwer is a welcome guest where the Lionesses also appear. “At the beginning, women’s football was not popular at all. And even at the 2017 European Championship in our country, the stadiums were not yet full. And now everyone wants to go.

Crowdfunding campaign

Especially when it comes to international matches abroad, the “man in the hat” is there. “It’s a lot of fun and an excuse to go somewhere. And I have already given a lot of hats. I often attach a city trip to it. ”

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After qualifying for the World Cup, he looks forward to the Tokyo Games to see the women’s team in action there. Houwer launches a crowdfunding campaign to realize his Olympic dream, in which he receives a lot of support from the players and half of the profits are donated to a charity.

Not just because I couldn’t go to football, even though that was a factor. I had so much positive energy from this and my energy balance became somewhat disturbed

The target amount of 10,000 euros has now been reached, but last year the party in Japan was canceled due to the pandemic. This year yes, but without foreign spectators. Much to the chagrin of Bolsward’s only sports fan. “I fly everywhere and I am disappointed that it is not possible because of the crown. My entire cycle is over, ”says Houwer, who also suffers from trauma. “Not just because I couldn’t go to football, although that was a factor. I drew so much positive energy from it and my energy balance was somewhat disrupted.

Appreciate

Houwer, who is also a volunteer for the sc Heerenveen women, is still recovering from her burnout. “You have to appreciate the things that you can do that are out there.” It therefore takes place in front of television at the start of the women’s tournament in Japan. “The vacation was already booked anyway, because I was going to Tokyo for four weeks. I love all sports and I had also arranged athletics tickets. I also wanted to see Sifan Hassan in action.

After the European Championship in England, the World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. They are eligible for that; also a good trip

He secretly hopes that Geurts can once again be under the helm at the Games and that he will keep a jersey for himself. “I don’t have that yet,” says Houwer, who in addition to charity already has a destination for the crowdfunding money. “After the European Championship in England, the World Cup will be in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. They are eligible for that; also a nice trip.

In the Sports memorabilia section, people who have received or obtained a sports memorabilia in the past and who have a particular memory of that moment have a say. Are you also in possession of such a sports souvenir and would you like to share it with the reader, please send an email to [email protected]