Dutch women's coach Marjolein Van Unen steps down

Dutch national coach Marjolein van Unen steps down as women’s coach due to health problems. Van Unen has been coaching the Dutch women for 18 years and truly regrets to step down, but doesn’t have a choice. "Unfortunately I have to step down, my health doesn’t allow me to proceed the work that you can expect from a headcoach.” 52-year old Van Unen wasn’t able to attend the World Championships in Astana and European Games in Baku, and in fact suffers with health problems mainly in her neck. Not just because of the tough medication but also heart rhythm disorders doesn’t allow her any pressure and in October she will get an operation and she will need the time to recover.

“For me it’s important that the athletes take medals at the Olympic Games and they will need a coach giving the full 100% for their goal. For me it was a very emotional decision to step down. In my head I had planned to retire after Rio, but it’s very hard to take this early decision.”

During her period as an athlete she claimed four World Championships medals, seven European medals and three European titles. She retired in 1986, two years before the first Olympic Games for women in Seoul. In 1997 she was asked to become national coach. She won her first world title exactly today 10 September in 2005 with Edith Bosch and with Marhinde Verkerk in 2009, she won 18 World Championships medals in total. Van Unen delivered eleven European champions (38 medals), six Olympic medals and with the women’s team she won the European team title in 2012 and World title in 2010.

The athletes were still in touch with her during her absence but today also responded publically via social media. World bronze medallist Marhinde Verkerk thanked her coach who taught her so many lessons. “A super coach with passion and commitment! I  learned a lot from you.”

World Ranking leader Kim Polling thanked Van Unen for her contribution as personal coach and national coach to her developed over years.

Edith Bosch: "My coach quits due to health reasons. WHAT a SUPER woman she is! So grateful for all the energy. You are the best!"

IJF President Marius Vizer said: “I would like to extend my best wishes to @judobond coach Marjolein van Unen who has stepped down due to health reasons.”

Van Unen is the longest ever seeded national coach of the Netherlands over all sports.