The Netherlands is not only hosting this year’s Rabobank Hockey World Cup but both the Dutch men’s and women’s teams are tipped to be among the medal winners. After the Easter break, both teams will begin the final stage of their preparations – once the national club competition and the Europa Cup have been concluded. Coaches Max Caldas (women) and Paul van Ass (men) are keeping in close contact with the clubs to make sure the international players remain in good shape for the World Cup. ‘Together we have worked out a way to allow us to prepare as well as we can,’ says Caldas.

Men head for Spain
Paul van Ass and his squad of 24 (including three keepers) head for Malaga in Spain on April 24 for a six-day training camp. ‘During this period we will focus on keeping the team fresh. We need that to ensure our game is creative,’ he says. ‘We will use the time to recover from the season and have fun, rather than simply train with ball and stick.’ When Oranje return to the Netherlands, they have two friendlies against England on the timetable. Van Ass is set to announce the final selection around May 13 and from May 15 to 18, the Dutch men will take part in a four-nation invitation tournament in Dusseldorf. ‘That is where we will see where we are,’ Van Ass says.

Women train against men
The Dutch women start their preparations with a seven-day training camp in Sardinia from April 28. ‘I wanted to take the squad to an unfamiliar place,’ says Max Caldas. ‘We’re going to play hockey but I’m not going to tire them out.’ Caldas will announce his final team on May 7 and they will begin hard training on May 9 – against men’s teams from the Dutch second division. ‘It will be tough but I think they’ll be ready for it,’ he says. ‘These teams play the same sort of hockey as we are likely to meet during the World Cup.’

Match schedule women
12 May, 19.45  Leiden men 1st XI
14 May, 19.45  Klein Zwitserland men 1st XI
16 May, 19.45  Hudito men 1st XI
21 May, 19.45  South Africa (friendly, at Hudito)
25 May, 16.30  Japan (friendly, Kyocera Stadium)
27 May, 16.30  United States (friendly, Kyocera Stadium)

Match schedule men
3 May 16.00  England (friendly, at Ring Pass)
5 May 12.00  England (friendly, at HGC)
15 May 16.30  England (Four Nations, Dusseldorf)
17 May 13.00  Belgium (Four Nations, Dusseldorf)
18 May 15.00  Germany (Four Nations, Dusseldorf)
23 May 18.30  Spain (friendly, at HDM)
29 May 15.30  South Korea (friendly, Kyocera Stadium)
30 May 14.00  South Africa (friendly, Kyocera Stadium)