Meet the Team

  • Larissa Derks

    Head Goal keeper coach and Head of Marketing

  • Grant Thomson

    Head coach and owner of Thomson hockey

  • Emma Kircher

    Coach

  • Yara Vogels

    Coach

  • Bibi Smeets

    Coach

  • Renske van Griensven

    Coach

  • Grant is the head coach of Nova's ladies' first team in the Netherlands' 2nd division. Apart from coaching, Grant is also the founder of Thomson Hockey and technical manager at a Dutch hockey club.

    In his role as coach, Grant leads a high-intensity program at Hockey Club Nova, where his ladies are playing a really aggressive pressing game.

    In his role as technical manager, Grant is responsible for the way the club trains its youth and coaching staff.

    Grant is Scottish-born but has been in the Netherlands since 2012, and in that time, Grant has achieved the following:

    7 youth championships (field)

    2 Senior Championships (Field)

    1 undefeated season (24 field games)

    4 senior championships

    5 youth indoor championships

  • I am Larissa Derks.

    I spent almost my entire youth career at MHC Bemmel before moving on to another club to play at one of the highest youth levels in the Netherlands in 2020.

    I now play for MHC Oss.

    I have been a goalie as long as I can remember and started coaching at 12 years old. At 14 years old, I became head coach of the goalies up to U12. I soon started to assist the head goalie coach for the other youth goalies up to U16.

    I train with the EKA goalkeeper academy myself. It has not only taught me a lot of skill for my own goalkeeping, but it has also taught me a new way of approaching goalkeeper coaching. I believe it is very important to let goalkeepers have their own style and build on top of that. There is not just one way of goalkeeping that is the right one!

    I was the goalkeeper coach for the Thomson Hockey Camps in 2022 and can't wait to continue coaching at these camps.

  • My name is Emma Kircher, I am a rising senior at Eastern University. I am from Philadelphia PA and have been playing field hockey since I was 6 years old.

    At Eastern I have primarily played defense as well as midfield. Vision and communication are key assets to my game play. Being a team captain has allowed me to take leadership roles on and off the field.

    Coaching has always been a passion of mine. Being able to help others learn the game of hockey and the hard work behind the sport is something I have been able to do over the years. Coaching at summer camps, hosting clinics at my University and holding 1 on 1 private lessons have allowed me to do.

  • Hello everyone,

    My name is Yara Vogels.

    I have a passion for hockey for 15 years. I spent my entire career at Hockey Club Oirschot. Over the past 9 years, I’ve been actively involved as a trainer, dedicating 4 years to coaching various teams. I also did the schooling to became a HT-2 trainer.

    As a player, I initially specialized as an attacker. But my skills and understanding of the game led me to embrace the role of a defender as well. A few years ago, I’ve been coached by Grant, who played a significant role in shaping my coaching style and approach to the game.

    Now, I am absolutely excited to bring my experience and knowledge across the ocean to share with you all. I am eager to contribute to your hockey journey and create a fun, educational, and rewarding experience for everyone involved. I can't wait to meet each one of you and make some fantastic hockey memories together.

  • Hii everyone,



    My name is Bibi Smeets and I’m 21 years old. I’m from the Netherlands and I have been playing field hockey since I was 10 years old. My previous clubs are: HV Meerssen, HC Scoop and NMHC Nijmegen. Currently, I play for the first woman’s team of Maastricht and we just became champions! Besides hockey I’m quite busy with my studies (I’m a first year law student). Other interests op mine include cooking, reading and traveling.



    With that being said, follows the most important question: what will I bring to the USA? As a (central) midfielder I’d like to give you some tips and tricks on how to be dynamic on the field, make accelerating actions and deceptive moves. In addition, I’d like to share some defense techniques with you. I really believe that hard work pays off.



    I’m thrilled to be joining you this summer! Looking forward to meet all of you and have a fun and memorable time together. See you soon! ☺️

  • Hi everyone,



    My name is Renske van Griensven, I play in the D1 team of HCG. My passion for field hockey started at the age of 10 and since then I can often be found on the field hockey field as a player. All this time I spent at the same club in the village where I live.



    I like variety and that is why I am in many different positions on the field. Although I am comfortable playing midfield and in the front, center back has my heart. Why? because then I have a good overview of the whole field.



    For five years I have been training four different teams and for one year I have been coaching the ladies under 18s. I enjoy doing all this and I learn every single week.



    this summer I will fly across the ocean to share my passion and knowledge with you. this will be my first time. I am looking forward to getting to know you all and I hope we will have a fun, educational and memorable time together.