Frans Hoek has played, coached and taught soccer all over the world.
But despite the hopes and dreams – and optimistic claims – of many players and coaches in the United States, Hoek’s opinion is that soccer will never be a top sport in this country, especially when it comes to drawing spectators.
“In Holland, soccer is number one,” said Hoek, who recently put on a week-long training camp in Rohnert Park for the Sonoma County Alliance youth club. “In the U.S., what is it … fifth, sixth, seventh?”
Hoek, who has most recently been a coach with international powerhouses FC Barcelona (six years) and Ajax (12years), said Major League Soccer and women’s soccer in general “have done very well in this country, but you have to have realistic goals.”
He said while soccer is No. 1 in his native Holland, and in most countries throughout the world, “it’s not the top sport here and might never be, probably won’t be … you have to accept that.”
But while Hoek has a definite opinion about soccer’s place in America’s overall sports picture, he is zealous when it comes to imparting his knowledge of the sport to youngsters.
“I am on a mission with this program,” said Hoek, who at age 48 looks like he could still compete. “And I won’t stop until I feel I’ve accomplished that mission.”
Holland has long been known as one of the best areas for youth soccer in the world.
“It’s a small country, but we make an effort to influence clubs – players, coaches, parents and administrators – to be on the same page,” he said.
That’s what Hoek said he hopes to do with SCA, a relatively new club that started a few years ago. This is the only club camp Hoek runs in the United States – not that he doesn’t get constant offers.
He committed to the camp because of a 12-year friendship with Andrew Ziemer, who helps run the soccer club.
“When SCA started, Andrew asked me if I would do a special camp for his players, and I agreed,” Hoek said.
His SCA club camp costs $1,800 a team – but club spokesman Josh Sterling said that after club subsidies, the per-player cost is about $85.
The camp, staged at Sonoma State, is five full days, compared to the usual two- and three-day offerings of other camps.
“Frans wants to base the SCAprogram on what they do in Holland,” Sterling said. “It’s not just coaching … it’s education, a total soccer experience.”
Hoek traveled with a staff of 12 coaches, selected specifically for the camp.
“Last year it was pretty basic because we were still getting organized,” Sterling said.
Hoek, married with two grown daughters, said he has a six-year plan for SCA.
“We want to educate everybody in the program to think the same and understand each other,” Hoek said.
“Developing our club this way is our vision,” Sterling said. “This is what we feel will separate us from other clubs.”
Once the week is over, coaches are required to keep in touch with Hoek’s staff via e-mail.
Coaches fill out forms denoting the progress of their team. If they have problems or questions, they send an e-mail.
“This is not a ‘thanks for the money’ deal,” Hoek said. “It’s a year-round program.”
SCA coaches get a “menu,” a thick book of guidelines, and “the bible,” a laminated page they can refer to at games or practices.
Hoek said he misses coaching and doesn’t rule out the idea of doing it again. But for now, his goal is to get the word out on his soccer philosophy.
“When we wanted to learn soccer, we looked to Europe,” said Ziemer, one of the four soccer-playing Ziemer brothers. “And everything we heard about youth soccer was that you have to look to the Dutch.”
Hoek said he believes the way youth soccer is taught in Holland “may be the best in the world.”
Sterling understands success will not happen overnight, but is confident in the program.
“We add things to ‘the menu’ each year,” said Hoek, who has turned down several offers to coach in recent months. “What we teaching are not just skills, it’s insight into the soccer.”
Sterling said knows the emergence of SCA with Hoek’s help will not be an overnight success.
“But when we get where we need to be, nobody will catch up with us overnight either.”
