WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao U16 girls’ field hockey team has achieved a historic milestone by winning gold at the prestigious Shooting Star Tournament in Boston. Widely regarded as one of the premier youth field hockey events in the region, the tournament drew competitive teams from across the United States and beyond.
Led by coach Robbert-Jan Prince, the young team received special training in preparation for the event from former Olympic sprinter Churandy Martina, who focused on enhancing the players' speed and explosiveness. “The players truly earned this reward,” said Prince. “I’m incredibly proud of this group.”
The annual tournament, organized by College Connection, celebrated its tenth edition in Boston this year, cementing its reputation as a cornerstone event in the international youth hockey scene.
Team captain Noor Veenendaal highlighted both the athletic achievement and the personal growth of the team. “I hope every player walks away with an unforgettable hockey experience. When you can grow as a team and win at this level, a tournament like this is a total success.”
The squad included Zara Avci, Marin Berkhout, Gwenn Gilbert, Aimee van Hoey Smith, Victoria van Hoey Smith, Emma Hofman, Stephanie Luursema, Veerle van Rooij, and Noor Veenendaal.
Diederik van Buuren, president of Curaçao’s hockey federation, emphasized the broader impact of the victory. “This shows that Curaçao’s talent can compete at the international level. Hopefully, it inspires even more young players to chase their dreams.”