Willem (Willy. Wil) Slager born in 1941 in Ede near Arnhem. His family was evacuate to Friesland in 1944 when the Allied launched operation ‘Market Garden’ with bitterly fighting around Arnhem. He arrived in Australia in 1957 and settled in the suburb of Elizabeth in Adelaide. Het got a job Read more
According to Adam Muyt in his book Clogball, Ballarat fielded a range of football clubs with typical Dutch football names: Juliana, Wilhelmina, Hollandia, and Fortuna. By the end of the 1960s, these clubs had folded, merged, or were no longer majority Dutch. In 1967, what was left merged into the Read more
Born in 1968, he largely grew up in, the New South Wales town of Dubbo to a family of Dutch and English heritage. He played from Under 10 – Under 14 with SASS Strikers Junior Soccer Club in the Dubbo & District Soccer Association. Whilst with SASS, he represented Western Read more
The Laidlaw World Cup Down Under, nestled amidst the post-war resurgence of football fervor in Victoria, stands as a testament to the multicultural tapestry woven into the sport’s fabric. Its origins traced back to 1949 with a diverse array of teams taking to the field, including representatives from Great Britain, Read more
Born on September 18, 1934, in the Netherlands, Van Alphen left an indelible mark on Australian soccer, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. Dick passed away on May 21, 2009, at his home in Hervey Bay, Queensland. Van Alphen’s journey in soccer began in his native Amsterdam, Read more
Paul Vander Haar was born in the Netherlands on 7 March 1958 and was one of five children born to Dutch migrants, Bernardus Josef (Ben) and Judith. His surname was originally spelled: van der Haar. On the field he is often referred to as ‘Vander’. Paul Vander Haar’s legacy in Read more
Michaël “Sjel” (Mike) de Bruyckere, born in Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands, on 6 February 1928, was a remarkable Dutch and Australian footballer whose legacy extended beyond the pitch. Early Years and Dutch Success. De Bruyckere commenced his football journey as a junior player in his local club before catching the eye Read more
Morwell in the Latrobe Valley saw a large influx of Dutch emigrants in the 1950s. In 1954 12% of the population was Dutch this increased to 15% by 1961. Dutch Clubs followed soon as it is no wonder that many of the Dutchies became involved in football. Fortuna ’60 Soccer Read more
Adrian (Aad) Harmsen was born in Leiden in 1925. From a young school age he played football and became a key player in the local football club. During WWII he became involved resistance work and in 1945 he was employed as a translator at the Royal Dutch Aiforce. Worried about Read more
Wens de Jong was born in 1938 in Oude Wetering (Zuid Holland). At the age of 18, he embarked on a journey to Melbourne in 1956 alongside his parents John and Regina, along with their six siblings. His father, who worked as a baker in their village, had a passion Read more