Marjan Ridder was honored for more than 50 years of coaching at Duinwijck.© Foto United Photos/Laurens Bosch
Theo Plasschaert
Today at 15:53
Haarlem
Marjan Ridder-Luesken was awarded the silver medal by Badminton Netherlands on Saturday. The award has been awarded for her long-standing, demonstrable performance of multiple functions that have furthered the development of the sport of badminton.
The 68-year-old Haarlem, wife of multiple national champion Rob Ridder, has been a youth trainer at the Duinwijck club for 53 (!) years now. In that period, it is estimated that between 2000 and 3000 children had lessons from her, including the later top players Jacco Arends, Jorrit de Ruiter, son Koen Ridder and Paula Rip.
As a player herself, together with Joke van Beusekom, she became the first and to date only Dutch couple second at a world championship. That was in 1977. For a long period she was a teacher for the federation and occasionally she did coaching work for the regional and national selection.
Ridder was completely surprised by the federation award that was awarded prior to the main force’s competition match against Velo. ,, As long as things go well, I will continue, but now as assistant to our head coach Sophie Brown. As a result, I am no longer ultimately responsible and that feels nice.”
Herman Leidelmeijer (75) former top player and trainer/coach was appointed as a member of merit of the Haarlem club.
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