Blog and photos

Name: Jesse Morssinkhof
Position: Goalie
Currently playing at: Domstad Devils – Utrecht Lacrosse
Played at: Domstad Devils – Utrecht Lacrosse

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? What do you do in daily life? When did you start playing lacrosse?

I’m 25 years old and live in Utrecht. At this moment I work full-time in a bar in Utrecht, but next year I want to go to college again, to become a paramedic or a occupational therapist. I started playing lacrosse 4 years ago, and I played 2 years as a midfielder and the last 2 years as a goalie.

Congratulations with your spot on the team! What was the first thing you did when you heard?

First thing I did when I made the team: I called my parents, girlfriend and everyone else to share this news.

What are you most looking forward to in Denver?

Of course I want to play as much as possible, but next to that obvious. I really want to see the players I’m watching on the television, play in real life.

What are your expectations for Denver?

I think we need to work hard as a team and that we will get tough games, but in the end I see us ending up in the blue group.

How do you interpret the MDNT 2014 motto “Destination Denver and Beyond”?

I think that it’s wonderful to play lacrosse. And at the MDNT training days I’ve played a lot and learned a lot. So I think it is a really good project to improve the overall level of lacrosse in The Netherlands.

Name: Hielke-Martijn de Vries
Position: Midfield
Currently playing at: Amsterdam Lions
Played at: MDNT U19

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? What do you do in daily life? When did you start playing lacrosse?

I’m 21 years old and this year I started with my Master of Medicine which is comprised of the medical internships. In 2,5 years I will be a qualified doctor. Before I came to Amsterdam to study and play lacrosse I played field hockey at a high level in my home town Laren. Before moving to Amsterdam I already knew that I wanted to play lacrosse because my brother Jelle-Eric was already playing and I also needed to play this awesome sport lacrosse. In the summer before I started I used to play with his old stick in the garden to practise. In my four year lacrosse career I have won the Cup every year and have been in the Dutch final three times and won twice! This year we aim to add another National Championship to this list. Two years ago I went as a captain to the U19 WC in Turku Finland at which we ranked eleventh. This year I personally want to rank higher than eleventh and hopefully even better! Go Orange!

Congratulations with your spot on the team! What was the first thing you did when you heard?

I told my family and friends.

What are you most looking forward to in Denver?

Working with the team to push to the limits of our abilities.

What are your expectations for Denver?

To have a great tournament and rank in the top 10 teams!

How do you interpret the 2014 MDNT motto “Destination Denver and Beyond”?

That it is not only about the World Championship but about growing a sustainable, financially healthy lacrosse basis to build and grow on in the future to reach a higher level of lacrosse during the championships but also for Dutch lacrosse in general.

Name: Adrian Shaproski
Position : Midfield
Currently playing at: Amsterdam Lions
Played at: Mercer Island High School, Linfield University, Seattle University

Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? What do you do in daily life? When did you start playing lacrosse?

I am somewhat of a global nomad, to which I have lived in six different countries on three different continents. However, currently Amsterdam is where I call home. Although, I spent my formative years in Seattle, Washington, USA. There I started playing lacrosse at the age of 12 years old and further honed my skills into the player I am today. I have seen and participated in the game of lacrosse from almost every possible vantage point, having coached youth and high school lacrosse, officiated, played and been an avid spectator. I came to Amsterdam to pursue my Masters in Marketing at the Vrije University of Amsterdam, wherein in December of this year I will have earned a Masters in Marketing.

Congratulations with your spot on the team! What was the first thing you did when you heard?

Started training! Championships don’t win themselves!

What are you most looking forward to in Denver?

Being able to compete at the highest level of lacrosse the world has to offer. This is truly a unique and once in a life time experience. Having the honour of representing our nation through sport and the game I love is truly something I will always cherish.

What are your expectations for Denver?

I expect nothing short of one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of not only my playing career but also in general. Much like ourselves, each competing country is representing their nation with pride and honour, wherein the best players are selected thus providing a high level of intensity and skill sets. Given the high number of entrants into the 2014 FIL Worlds, I expect that Team Nederland will finish first in its group, to which we will place at least 8^th overall if not higher!

How do you interpret the 2014 MDNT motto “Destination Denver and Beyond”?

Destination Denver and Beyond is mantra in which the Dutch National Lacrosse Team abides by, wherein we are not only looking forward to the imminent challenge at hand (2014 Worlds), but rather growing the program into a top world contender in years to come.