Roel Wiersma
Encyclopedia
Roelof 'Roel' Wiersma Was a football player Defender
, who played almost his entire (professional) football career for PSV and also capped 53 times for The Netherlands
.
based amateur side Donar, where his father was on the board of directors. He would go on to make a lasting impression, during his time with the Air force
as he played for the representative football team. This team harboured some players of celebriy status and was therefore under regular observation by KNVB
officials. It was, therefore, in these matches that he caught the attention of the KNVB, who would later call him up for the national team, whilst under contract with Donar. This is and was unique, as it makes Roel Wiersma the only player in the history of Dutch football, that has ever been called up for the national side while playing for a 3rd division amateur club.
Airbase near Eindhoven. In 1954 he signed a contract with the Eindhoven outfit and was simultaneously employed with its founder Philips
's corporate division. Besides football, Wiersma played also played a lot of other sports at a high level as well, such as baseball
, tennis
, basketball
and table tennis
. In addition to this he also combined his career with a study and obtained a title as an engineer
. The arrival of Wiersma at PSV ushered in a golden age for the club. With him on the right fullback position, the club gradually rose to the top. His greatest qualities were his endurance, strength, his aerial ability and his tenacity. Qualities that would later earn him the captaincy of the national side
and allowed him to enjoy a string of 35 consecutive matches played without interruption, starting from his debut for Oranje
. Wiersma was also a very influential person within the club and was said to have regular meetings with president-director Ir. Frans Otten, to talk about the future of the club. Wiersma also had influence with regards to hiring new coaches and prospective new players. In 1965, Wiersma played his 400th match for PSV, but left later that season on a free transfer to EVV Eindhoven
. After just 4 matches, he fractures his shin and was forced to quit playing professional football.
. Later still, he would become involved with the KNVB
. On 4 February 1995, he suffered a cardiac arrest
during a game of tennis and died. Roel Wiersma played 11 years for PSV and attained 316 league matches, in which he scored 2 times. In 1963 he became champion of the Netherlands with PSV.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
, who played almost his entire (professional) football career for PSV and also capped 53 times for The Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
.
Early career
Wiersma started his football career with the HilversumHilversum
is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Located in the region called "'t Gooi", it is the largest town in that area. It is surrounded by heathland, woods, meadows, lakes, and smaller villages...
based amateur side Donar, where his father was on the board of directors. He would go on to make a lasting impression, during his time with the Air force
Royal Netherlands Air Force
The Royal Netherlands Air Force , Dutch Koninklijke Luchtmacht , is the military aviation branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Its ancestor, the Luchtvaartafdeling of the Dutch Army was founded on 1 July 1913, with four pilots...
as he played for the representative football team. This team harboured some players of celebriy status and was therefore under regular observation by KNVB
Royal Dutch Football Association
The Royal Dutch Football Association is the governing body of football in the Netherlands. It organises the main Dutch football leagues , the amateur leagues, the KNVB Cup, and the Dutch national football team. It is based in the municipality of Zeist.The KNVB came into being on 8 December 1889...
officials. It was, therefore, in these matches that he caught the attention of the KNVB, who would later call him up for the national team, whilst under contract with Donar. This is and was unique, as it makes Roel Wiersma the only player in the history of Dutch football, that has ever been called up for the national side while playing for a 3rd division amateur club.
PSV and Oranje
During his time in the Airforce, Wiersma also trained with PSV a few times because he was frequently stationed at the WelschapEindhoven Airport
-Facilities:Passenger facilities available include: Exchange office, Lost property office, Luggage lockers, Baby changing area and a Health centre. Wireless internet access is provided free of charge throughout the airport. A business lounge is available too. Major car rental companies have their...
Airbase near Eindhoven. In 1954 he signed a contract with the Eindhoven outfit and was simultaneously employed with its founder Philips
Philips
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
's corporate division. Besides football, Wiersma played also played a lot of other sports at a high level as well, such as baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
. In addition to this he also combined his career with a study and obtained a title as an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. The arrival of Wiersma at PSV ushered in a golden age for the club. With him on the right fullback position, the club gradually rose to the top. His greatest qualities were his endurance, strength, his aerial ability and his tenacity. Qualities that would later earn him the captaincy of the national side
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
and allowed him to enjoy a string of 35 consecutive matches played without interruption, starting from his debut for Oranje
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
. Wiersma was also a very influential person within the club and was said to have regular meetings with president-director Ir. Frans Otten, to talk about the future of the club. Wiersma also had influence with regards to hiring new coaches and prospective new players. In 1965, Wiersma played his 400th match for PSV, but left later that season on a free transfer to EVV Eindhoven
FC Eindhoven
FC Eindhoven is a Dutch football club based in Eindhoven, North Brabant. They current play in the Eerste Divisie , and are one of two professional clubs which are based in the city of Eindhoven, the other one being PSV Eindhoven....
. After just 4 matches, he fractures his shin and was forced to quit playing professional football.
Post player career
Despite this dramatic exit from football, Wiersma did remain involved in sports and would go on to coach the PSV waterpolo team and would also go back to football to coach TOP OssTOP Oss
FC Oss is a professional football club from the Netherlands, which was founded on April 9, 1928. They currently play in the Eerste Divisie.-History:...
. Later still, he would become involved with the KNVB
Royal Dutch Football Association
The Royal Dutch Football Association is the governing body of football in the Netherlands. It organises the main Dutch football leagues , the amateur leagues, the KNVB Cup, and the Dutch national football team. It is based in the municipality of Zeist.The KNVB came into being on 8 December 1889...
. On 4 February 1995, he suffered a cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
during a game of tennis and died. Roel Wiersma played 11 years for PSV and attained 316 league matches, in which he scored 2 times. In 1963 he became champion of the Netherlands with PSV.