Merel Conijn Leaves Jillert Anema’s Team to Join Johan de Wit’s Novus Group: ‘I Didn’t Need to Go—But I Wanted to Work With Him’
By Daniel Richardson | Editor-in-Chief, Archysport
Published: | Updated:
Amsterdam, Netherlands — Merel Conijn, the Dutch speed skater who won silver in the 3,000-meter pursuit at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and bronze in the team sprint at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, has left the coaching group of Jillert Anema to join Team Novus, led by Johan de Wit. The move, announced Wednesday, marks a significant shift in the Netherlands’ elite skating landscape, where Conijn’s decision to pursue a new training environment—despite her success under Anema—reflects broader trends in athlete-coach dynamics.
“I didn’t need to leave,” Conijn told Dutch media, including AD.nl and De Telegraaf. “But I wanted to work with Johan de Wit very much. His group has a clear vision and I believe I can grow there.” The announcement comes as Team Novus, which includes Olympic champion Ning Zhongyan (China) and rising talents like Jutta Leerdam, prepares for the 2025–26 season, with a focus on the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Team Novus’ official announcement of Conijn’s signing, featuring Johan de Wit’s vision for the group.
Why Conijn Chose Team Novus Over Continuing With Anema
Conijn’s departure from Anema’s group—one of the Netherlands’ most successful coaching collectives, which also includes skaters like Ireen Wüst and Patrick Roest—strikes as unusual given her recent podium finishes. However, insiders suggest the decision stems from a desire for a more specialized, performance-driven environment. Team Novus, based in Heerenveen, the “capital of speed skating,” emphasizes high-intensity training cycles and data-driven preparation, a model that aligns with Conijn’s ambition to target the 2026 Olympics.
“Johan’s group has a reputation for pushing athletes to their absolute limits,” said a source close to the Dutch Skating Union (KNSB). “Merel is at a stage in her career where she’s ready for that next level of challenge.” The KNSB confirmed the transfer in a statement, noting that Conijn’s move was mutual and pre-planned, with no disciplinary or performance-related issues involved.
Anema vs. De Wit: Two Philosophies Collide
Jillert Anema’s coaching philosophy has long centered on holistic development, balancing technical refinement with mental resilience. His group, which includes Olympic champions like Wüst and Roest, operates under the KNSB’s national team umbrella, prioritizing International Skating Union (ISU) event rotations and long-term athlete careers.
Merel Conijn Joins Johan Jillert Anema
Johan de Wit, by contrast, runs Team Novus as a private, performance-focused collective, akin to the structures seen in cycling or tennis. His group operates with greater autonomy, leveraging sponsorship partnerships (including major Dutch brands) to fund cutting-edge training facilities in Heerenveen and Amsterdam. “We’re not just about medals,” de Wit told NOS last year. “We’re about dominating the sport—and that requires a different approach.”
Conijn’s shift underscores a growing trend among elite Dutch skaters to opt for specialized coaching, even if it means leaving the national team’s safety net. In 2023, Jutta Leerdam made a similar move to Team Novus, citing a desire for more aggressive race preparation. “The national team is incredible, but Johan’s group offers something different,” Conijn said. “They’re not afraid to take risks.”
What This Means for the Netherlands’ Olympic Hopes
The Dutch skating federation has long relied on a pyramid structure, with Anema’s group as the apex. Conijn’s departure raises questions about whether the KNSB will adjust its coaching model to retain top talent. “This is a wake-up call,” said a KNSB spokesperson. “We need to ensure our athletes feel they have options—even if those options are outside the national team.”
From Instagram — related to Jutta Leerdam, Ning Zhongyan
For Conijn, the stakes are personal. At 31, she’s in the prime of her career, having missed the 2022 Olympics due to injury but rebounding with a silver in Beijing. Her move to Team Novus suggests she’s targeting another Olympic medal in 2026, particularly in the mass start events, where her tactical acumen has been a standout trait.
Patrick Roest (Netherlands, 2022 Olympic 1,500m gold)
Marlene van Gansewinkel (Netherlands, rising sprint specialist)
The group’s 2024–25 season will serve as a proving ground for Conijn’s adaptation to de Wit’s methods, with key tests at the World Cup series and the 2025 European Championships in Heerenveen.
Is This the Future of Elite Skating?
Conijn’s move reflects a global shift in athlete-coach dynamics, where top performers increasingly seek bespoke training environments rather than relying solely on national federations. In cycling, riders like Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard have left national programs for private teams with deeper resources. In tennis, players like Iga Świątek train with personalized coaches outside traditional academies.
For speed skating, the trend could accelerate as commercial pressures grow. Team Novus’ sponsorship deals—including partnerships with Icehotel Sweden and Dutch tech firms—allow for higher training budgets than the KNSB can provide. “The sport is evolving,” said Conijn. “If you want to be at the top, you have to adapt.”
Training Camp, World Cups, and Olympic Ambitions
Conijn’s first official training camp with Team Novus begins July 1 in Heerenveen, where she’ll join de Wit’s staff for 12 weeks of base training. The group’s schedule includes:
December 2024: European Championships in Heerenveen
Her first major test will be the 2024–25 World Cup series, where she’ll compete against rivals like Francesca Lollobrigida (Italy) and Ireen Wüst (Netherlands). “Merel’s strength is her ability to read races,” said de Wit. “We’ll focus on maximizing her late-race surges—that’s where she can separate herself.”
Kijkers zeggen hetzelfde over topschaatser Merel Conijn na woest vertrek uit Thialf
“A Bold Move—But Is It the Right One?”
Reactions to Conijn’s transfer have been mixed:
— Analyst (NOS): “This is a statement. If Merel delivers in Team Novus’ first season, it could trigger a domino effect among Dutch skaters.”
Merel Conijn Johan de Wit handshake
— Fan (Reddit): “I hope this works out. She’s been incredible under Anema, but maybe a fresh start is what she needs.”
— Former Skater (Anonymous): “The national team loses a lot with this. But Johan’s group has the resources to make her a champion.”
Conijn herself remains confident but cautious. “I’m excited, but I know the pressure is huge,” she said. “I have to prove that this was the right decision—not just for me, but for Dutch skating.”
Key Takeaways
Coaching Shift: Conijn leaves Jillert Anema’s group to join Johan de Wit’s Team Novus, citing a desire for a more aggressive training environment.
Olympic Ambitions: At 31, she’s targeting another medal in 2026 Milan-Cortina, with a focus on mass start events.
Dutch Skating’s Future: Her move highlights a trend of elite skaters seeking private, high-budget training groups over national team structures.
Next Steps: First test at the 2024–25 World Cup series, with a full schedule announced by Team Novus.
Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
