Peter Johannes Gerardus Mies, born in 1936 in Neerbeek in the province of Limburg, the Netherlands, was a remarkable figure in Tasmanian football and in the Dutch-Australian community. At the age of 14, Pete joined his father and brother working in the mines of Limburg, contributing to the family’s livelihood Read more
Dutch Odyssey is a collective history of Dutch migration, based on the experiences of families who settled in the South East of South Australia from the late 1940s onwards. The authors spent five years gathering stories from first and second generation migrants and expanded their research by consulting archives to Read more
Simon Boegheim – born in Gouda – has dedicated much of his life to the development and preservation of Dutch-Australian football in Queensland. From the mid-1960s, Simon became deeply involved in the administration of Hollandia Soccer Club, working alongside other prominent figures such as long-serving president John Morcus. During this Read more
Fred van Breemen stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Dutch migrants on Australian football and community life. Born in the Netherlands, Fred migrated to Australia in 1954 aboard the Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. His family settled in Coopers Plains, Brisbane, where his father contributed to the construction of Read more
Dutch migrants and their descendants have made an important contribution to Australian football, not only at club level but also in the national men’s team, the Socceroos. From the 1950s onwards, Dutch-Australians have helped shape the squad during key periods of its development. This article highlights those players of Dutch Read more
The Matildas, Australia’s national women’s football team, are celebrated not only for their sporting achievements but also for reflecting the diverse cultural tapestry of modern Australia. Among this diversity, Dutch migrants and their descendants have played a notable role in shaping the team’s history, from its formative years to its Read more
At the age of 11, Mary and her family relocated from Cairns, Australia, to the Netherlands to support the football aspirations of Mary and her siblings. They settled in cities such as Rotterdam and Arnhem, immersing themselves in the Dutch football culture. During this period, Mary played for BVV Barendrecht, Read more
Mandi Langlar’s football journey reflects the contribution of Dutch migrants and their descendants to the development of Australian football, particularly on Sydney’s northern beaches. As a second-generation Dutch-Australian, Mandi carried forward a family passion for the game, achieving national honours at a time when women’s football was still fighting for Read more
Frans van Balkom was born on 23 October 1939 in Kerkrade, Netherlands, in the heart of the Limburg coal mining region. Like many from his community, Frans worked as a coal miner in the Limburg mines before their closure in the 1960s. His work in the mines took a toll Read more
Liz Elliott (née Vervoort) was born in 1956 in Venray, the Netherlands, where her parents ran a farm. Growing up as the only girl among six brothers, Liz developed her football skills in the backyard, playing alongside her siblings. Despite her enthusiasm, her father did not allow her to join Read more