Can’t control when we could go home, so we don’t think about it: Sjoerd Marijne on life in lockdown

On March 14th, India girls’s hockey coach Sjoerd Marijne was set to go house to the Netherlands to spend a while along with his household. But with the coronavirus pandemic inflicting journey restrictions throughout the globe, Marijne determined to remain again at Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru along with his staff. A few weeks later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi imposed a nationwide lockdown in India, with Marijne, alongside along with his staff, nonetheless at SAI middle in Bengaluru.

Being on the camp for almost 9 weeks now, Marijne says he’s eagerly ready for the lockdown to carry in order that he and the gamers can go to their households. In an unique chat with Hindustan Times, the Dutchman opens up on how the staff is conserving themselves positive away from households amid lockdown:

HT SPECIAL – TOP SPORTSPERSONS TALK ABOUT LIFE IN LOCKDOWN

Here are the excerpts:

How have you ever been holding up in Bengaluru amid nationwide lockdown?

We have been doing very nicely right here at Sports Authority Center in Bengaluru. It has clearly been a very long time that we now have been right here, due to this fact everyone seems to be simply ready for the lockdown to recover from, so we will all go house to a well-deserved break.

You have been in your method to the Netherlands earlier than the lockdown, however you modified your thoughts. What occurred there?

Well, we had an excellent National Camp between February and March, and I used to be actually wanting ahead to seeing my household after 4 weeks. However, then I made a decision to not go due to the journey restrictions that have been already in place because of the unfold of the coronavirus. Even although I’d have liked to have spent that week with my household, I’m glad that I didn’t go, in any other case, I’d have been caught within the Netherlands away from the staff for therefore many weeks because of the journey ban.

In these unsure instances – how difficult it’s to remain aside from your loved ones – for you, and for them?

Well, as you’ll be able to think about, it is vitally tough for me and for all of the gamers, as nicely, staying away from household for such a very long time throughout these attempting circumstances. But we additionally perceive that everybody has their very own difficulties in these instances and so that is the most effective answer for us proper now – that we keep right here.

Of course, I keep in contact with my household day by day – we use FaceTime. They are used to me being away as a result of, in my job, I’ve to spend prolonged durations away from house. But talking over video calls helps us to remain involved. They are all doing nicely, and slowly the lockdown is getting lifted within the Netherlands so that offers them distraction as nicely, and one thing positive to stay up for.

How do you spend your time – heard you have been writing a ebook?

We are presently concerned in Hockey India’s Coaches Development Sessions the place we’re giving programs to coaches on-line. We even have particular person conferences, mindfulness periods with our gamers, after which there may be administration work (planning for this 12 months and subsequent 12 months).

Apart from that, I’ve been, certainly, writing a ebook about my experiences right here in India within the final three and a half years. It includes speaking about what my method of working is with the groups I’ve been working with; which probabilities we made; what have been the struggles; and how you can create a high-performance staff. I imagine numerous issues we’re doing can be utilized in enterprise life, and on the massive corporates. I wish to share my method of working – about management as an example. I feel each worlds can be taught lots from one another and therefore, the writing of this ebook.

What recommendation are you giving to the gamers – since they’re additionally residing away from household amid unsure instances?

This is the half the place we use mindfulness and attempt to keep within the second. We attempt to train the ladies how you can solely be busy considering and doing what you’ll be able to management, and the remainder you will need to not be busy with as a result of it brings detrimental vitality. We can’t management when we can go house so we don’t attempt to be busy with it. This doesn’t imply it’s all the time simple, and it’s possible you’ll really feel depressing, however we will attempt our greatest to all the time having a positive mindset.

How do you retain your self and the ladies motivated?

At the second, the gamers and the assist employees are actually motivated by the crowdfunding exercise that was initiated by the staff. This includes crowdfunding for poor households who don’t have meals now. It makes you conscious that some persons are in a far worse surroundings than us, and likewise makes you understand what you do have and never what you don’t have.

Fitness has been a vital motive for the rise of the staff. How are you continue to engaged on it amid restrictive protocols?

Well, health is clearly some of the essential facets of the modern-day recreation, and we’re making certain that the gamers are engaged on their particular person packages. Our Scientific Advisor Wayne Lombard makes a weekly aggressive schedule for the gamers to maintain them concerned and motivated, and that method they’ll keep their health ranges.

With Tokyo Olympics postponed – has there been a change in your plans?

Well, after all, the whole lot has modified now due to the postponement. But presently, as we converse, no person is aware of what is going to occur sooner or later, so we’re simply being pro-active and getting ready ourselves in one of the simplest ways we will for all potential eventualities.

What are your plans to do after the lockdown?

The very first thing we need to do is get again house. We have all been on the National Camp for 9 weeks now, so all of us want the break. I’m additionally very blissful that the ladies are doing so nicely, however I additionally really feel that they should see their households.