Passionate Coach with a Vision
Martijn has been training keepers across the world for over 35 years. It’s not without reason that he is known as the Goalie Guru. “Goalkeeping is my passion, and I hope to bring this passion across to the keepers who I train and coach. There is nothing better than training with enthusiastic keepers who want to improve: whether that’s David Harte or the C2 team’s goalie”, explains Martijn, who also coaches and advises keepers off the field. “This can be around studies, planning or life in general.”
Junior World Cup in Paris
He inherited his love for hockey from his father Han, former record Dutch international. Martijn played for all the national youth teams. The high point: third place at the Hockey Junior World Cup in Paris (1979). He was also goalie for many years at Leiden Men’s 1 and HGC Men’s 1.
Top division
Many clubs in the Netherlands rely on Martijn as a goalkeeper coach, especially in the Hoofdklasse, Promotieklasse, and Overgangsklasse. He currently works with several teams, including:
- Kampong (Ladies 1, Men 1, and the entire Youth Goalkeeping Academy)
- Pinoké (Men 1 and the entire Youth Goalkeeping Academy)
- Den Bosch (Ladies 1)
- MOP (Ladies 1)
- Tilburg (Ladies 1)
- Hurley (Ladies 1)
- Laren (Men 1)
International experience
Martijn has worked with national men’s teams from the Netherlands, Spain, India, Malaysia, and Ireland, as well as the South African women’s team and the girls’ division of the GB Hockey Elite Development Program. He has also coached the goalkeepers of Jong Oranje and the Dutch A and B teams (both boys and girls). Additionally, Martijn regularly conducts coaching courses abroad, including in Spain, Argentina, South Africa, England, Germany, and Belgium.
Achievements
As a goalkeeper coach, Martijn has participated in eight Olympic Games, 10 European Championships, seven World Cups, 11 Champions Trophy tournaments, and two FIH Pro Leagues. In 2008, Spain won Olympic silver with goalkeeper Quico Cortez, trained by Martijn. In 2012, Martijn coached the Dutch national team’s goalkeepers, including Jaap Stockmann, who helped secure another Olympic silver. In 2016, Maddie Hinch won Olympic gold with Team GB, and in 2021, Josine Koning clinched gold with the Dutch national team! At the club level, Martijn has contributed to 18 national championships and 11 European club titles..
Top Goalkeepers and the New Generation
Some of the top goalkeepers who have thrived in the past 10 years thanks to Martijn’s training and guidance include:
- David Harte (Kampong Men 1, Ireland) – Best Goalkeeper in the World (2015, 2016)
- Josine Koning (Den Bosch Ladies 1, Dutch national team) – European gold (2023), World Cup gold (2022), Olympic gold (2021), European gold (2017), World Cup gold (2018)
- Babette Backers (Kampong Ladies 1, Dutch national team selection)
- Ayeisha McFerran (HC Tilburg Ladies 1, Ireland)
- Estiaan Kriek (Kampong Men 1, South Africa)
- Sam van der Ven (HGC Men 1, Dutch national team) – European gold (2017)
- Maddie Hinch (Great Britain) – Olympic gold (2016), Best Goalkeeper in the World (2016, 2017, 2018)
- Savita Punia (India) – 2x Best Goalkeeper in the World
- Kumar Subramaniam (Malaysia)
- Sreejesh P Raveendran (India) – Olympic bronze (2021)
The New Generation:
- Ralph Grevenstuk (Pinoké Men 1, Jong Oranje)
- Marit van Buul (Pinoké MO18, Jong Oranje)
- Olivier Smeets (Pinoké JO16, NL O16)
Vision on Training
Over the past 30 years, Martijn has developed his own training philosophy. The Drijver Goalie System serves as the foundation for all his training sessions, including at the Drijver Goalie Academy. This system works for every goalkeeper, regardless of age, level, or playing style. “The art of goalkeeping has evolved tremendously in recent years. That’s why I constantly adapt my training philosophy. It’s something I am always working on.”