Ron van der Hoff departs as head coach of Dutch team

Olympian Ron van der Hoff, in a joint statement issued with the Dutch archery federation, has announced he will be leaving his position of head coach.

He was on the field with the team for Laura van der Winkel’s silver medal last weekend at the season opener in Antalya.

“Being a national coach is a great job, in which I have been able to experience beautiful things, work with good and talented athletes and be a part of a team that has achieved great results,” read the statement from Ron published on the Handboogsport.nl website.

The 45-year-old cited a need to find a better work-life balance as the reason for his departure, which will become final in mid-May.

He has held the position for more than nine years.

The head of the Dutch federation, Arnoud Strijbis, thanked Ron for his commitment to the sport and numerous international results.

“One of the highlights is, of course, the achievement of the Olympic silver medal by the mixed team in Tokyo,” said Strijbis.

“Ron has made great contributions to archery in the Netherlands and we wish him every success in the future.”

As of now, it’s unclear what that future holds as Ron has confirmed he will take time to reflect on his next move. The former elite archer also founded and still owns Socx Arrow Wraps.

Without Ron, the Dutch coaching team still boasts the experienced Jacqueline van Rozendaal and world record holder Peter Elzinga.

Another former Dutch Olympic archer and head coach, Wietse van Alten, recently returned to the coaching box in neighbouring Belgium after a hiatus away from the sport.

The Dutch team is slated to compete at next month’s Hyundai Archery World Cup stage in Gwangju, Korea.