(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Henk Seppen & Marco Stoovelaar)
 Petra van Heijst takes over as Head Coach of Tex Town Tigers
Nederlands
 ENSCHEDE (Neth.) -
Petra van Heijst has been named new Head Coach of Tex Town Tigers, the club confirmed.
The former big league and National Team-player takes over from Jaap Braakman, who was in his first season with the team.
...Petra van Heijst playing for Terrasvogels in 2013...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
Jaap Braakman was named Head Coach of Tex Town Tigers early November of last year to succeeds Stanley Kock, who stepped down after three seasons to coach a youth-team.
Initially, Braakman was to be assisted by Petra van Heijst, Rob Hassink and Lindsey Meadows, the latter being the Pitching Coach.
However, Van Heijst was not with the coaching-staff when the season went underway in April, as she was not able to be with the team during all practice sessions and games due to working commitments.
She was replaced by Rick Tuk, who became the 1B Coach, while Braakman coached at third base himself.
On Thursday (August 17), the technical commission and the board of Tex Town Tigers informed the players and other staff-members that Petra van Heijst would succeed Jaap Braakman, effective immediately.
In a statement, the club said: ,,The decision to change coaches is never easy, but TTT thinks that it is for the best to enter the final round of the regular season with another coach, with a fresh approach''.
Tex Town Tigers is in fifth place with a 14-18 record in the Golden League, which was interrupted after last weekend for the European Cup Tournaments and resumes again on Saturday, September 2.
On that day, Tex Town Tigers closes with a double-header against Roef!, which currently is in fourth place.
When Tex Town Tigers wins both games, it will qualify for the Play-Offs.
...Petra van Heijst playing for the...
...Netherlands Team during the...
...2009 European Championship...
...in Spain...
(© Photo: Marco Stoovelar) |
Through the years, Petra van Heijst has been involved in several positions within Tex Town Tigers, including becoming a member of the techinical commission, but also training and coaching teams.
She also was an Assistant Coach the last two seasons, assisting Stanley Kock at the main team.
Petra van Heijst made her debut in the Dutch big league in 2003, playing for Tex Town Tigers.
Due to her study, she then moved to Amsterdam, where she continued her career at the higlest level with Amsterdam Pirates.
In 2005 through 2008, the infielder played for Terrasvogels, with whom she won the Netherlands Championship-title in 2007.
Afterwards, she was named Most Valuable Player of the Holland Series.
After the 2008 season, Van Heijst, who mostly played at short stop and second base, returned to Tex Town Tigers.
In the following four seasons, she played for the Enschede-based team, with whom she won the European Cup in 2011.
In 2013, she played one more season for Terrasvogels, winning both the European Cup Winners Cup and the Netherlands Championship-title.
Hereafter, she ended her active career and focused on coaching.
She went back to Enschede and there, she was the Assistant Coach of Stanley Kock of the big league-squad of Tex Town Tigers in 2015 and 2016.
Last season, she played in one more game for Tex Town Tigers.
Petra van Heijst also has an extensive international career as a player of the Netherlands National Softball Team.
After making her international debut in 2004, she participated in several big event with the Orange-squad.
Amongst the events she participated in are the Olympic Games of 2008 in Beijing (China), two World Championships and two European Championships.
In 2009, she played for the Netherlands Team that captured the European title in Valencia (Spain).
(August 18)
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