Henk Thijssens (1937–2020) was a cornerstone of the football community in Canberra — a respected referee, coach, and club volunteer whose Dutch-Australian journey reflected a life shaped by resilience, service, and love for the game. From Winterswijk to the world Henk was born in 1937 in Winterswijk, a town in Read more…
John Vlietstra is one of the most respected figures in the Dutch-Australian community of the Illawarra region, NSW. A tireless football administrator, community leader, and cultural advocate, his life story reflects the resilience of postwar Dutch migrants and their deep-rooted contributions to local Australian life — particularly through sport and Read more…
Dutch Origins and Migration The Witschge family is a notable Dutch-Australian football family that made its mark in Western Australia (WA). Theie eldest son Henry Witschge was born in Amsterdam and in 1954 his family emigrated to Australia. In WA, Henry became involved with the Windmills soccer club (later Morley-Windmills Read more…
John Van Hoek (1933–2016) was a passionate football coach, administrator, and community leader whose Dutch roots and tireless dedication helped shape the sporting landscape of Western Australia for over four decades. From Den Bosch to Ashfield Born in Den Bosch, the Netherlands, in 1933, John Van Hoek emigrated to Melbourne, Read more…
David Schrandt, born in Breda, the Netherlands in 1946, is a prominent figure in Western Australian football, known for his contributions both on and off the field. After emigrating to Australia, he grew up in Perth and began his football career as a goalkeeper, later transitioning to a striker. He Read more…
Tony Franken, born on 11 January 1965 in Perth, Western Australia, stands as one of Australia’s most accomplished goalkeepers — and a proud product of Dutch migrant heritage. Frank Franken His story begins with his father, Frank Franken, born in the Netherlands in 1935. Like many Dutch migrants who arrived Read more…
Rene de Koning is a Dutch-born footballer who made a significant impact on the Western Australian soccer scene as a versatile defender and midfielder. He was born in Nijmegen, 1963 emigrated to Western Australia with his family in 1980 and joined Bayswater as a schoolboy. At 17, he debuted in Read more…
Hendrik “Henk” Beumer (1919–2000) was a pivotal figure in the development of soccer in Western Australia, particularly within the Dutch-Australian community. Born in Haarlem, the Netherlands, Beumer immigrated to Australia in 1950, a period marked by significant Dutch migration seeking new opportunities and contributing to Australia’s multicultural fabric. Founding of Read more…
Chris Wissink is a notable figure in Australian soccer, particularly within the Dutch-Australian community. Born in 1946 in Eindhoven, Netherlands, he emigrated with his family to Australia in 1954 and became a distinguished goalkeeper in Western Australia’s soccer scene. Club Career and Achievements Wissink’s soccer career in Australia was marked Read more…
Johannes (Joh) Oost (1928–2024), born in the Netherlands in 1928, led an extraordinary life that seamlessly blended his Dutch heritage with the adventurous spirit of an Australian migrant. His story is one of resilience, innovation, and enduring contributions to his adopted homeland. A Dutch foundation Born in the village of Read more…