He took a break from a year after top and tropical years with the ladies of SCHC. In the meantime, Lucas Judge is back in the Dugout, with the Nijmegen men’s team. In the promotion division, in other words. Even after the top match against Tilburg (5-3 victory) And are therefore in the first place with twelve points.
It was clear in advance that Sunday would not be easy for the men of the judge. They had to visit the number three of the competition, Tilburg,, which was still unbeaten until that moment. In an exciting game, the guests eventually turned out to be slightly stronger and managed to achieve a 5-3 victory thanks to late goals from Tijn Stuve and Dylan Wotherpoon.
In the fall sun after the game, Judge said that he was especially satisfied with the way his team played the game. ‘Last week we did not decide the game early, so that it remained exciting until the end. Fortunately we were able to continue today and we brought 3-5, what the game decided. ‘
Judge with Nijmegen Striker Dylan Wother Spoon. Photo: Joris refers/Orange Pictures
Back from the Lee
The former international emphasized that in this phase of the competition he is especially happy with the progress that his team makes. “If we learn from our mistakes and show them in the next week, then I am happier at the moment than with a victory.”
Yet the victory will do the experienced coach well. Tilburg participated last year in the play -offs for promotion to the big league, while the Nijmegen men themselves were relegated from that level. Simply put, these are two teams that are expected to be at the top in the spring.
Judge is back after a season in the crazy people. In June 2024 he retired through the side door of SCHC, where he was head coach for four years. A few weeks earlier, the Australian Born had lost the final of the Play -offs with his team for the third time. Yet he does not look back on his menstrual period in Bilthoven with a sour feeling. ‘We have won several prizes and I had a time that I still enjoy thinking about. I still have a warm heart for SCHC. ‘
Judge at SCHC. Photo: Willem Vernes
‘Coaching is where my heart is’
He took a gap year, in which field hockey took a back seat. Judge was not a head coach last season, although he was on the field from time to time. Last winter for example with the HDM Men’s team. There he acted as a sparring partner for the staff, who fought relegation against the team of The Hague. “I can recommend all my colleagues such a gap year,” laughs the coach. “I used the year well, you could say. I spent a lot of time with my family, went back to Australia and did a marathon and a hyrox. ‘
The judge was sure that he would return along the line. ‘Coaching is where my heart is. I have had many conversations in the past year, but the conclusion was always that I want to continue. ‘
Photo: Joris refers/Orange Pictures
The blue dream
And as a result, the former striker was in the spotlight for the first time in March. That is the moment when Nijmegen enthusiastically announced the arrival of the judge, who would follow Rob Haantjes in the Waloon City that started the new season. At that time it was still unclear whether Nijmegen would play in the Promotion League or the big league.
However, that made no difference to the court. ‘I chose this club because I enjoy their vision, The blue dream. As a club they want to grow into structural top hockey, both for the ladies and men. I felt that I could contribute to that. That is why I chose this adventure. ‘
Judge does not think that the difference between working for a team for women and men is so great. “Although there are of course.” Smiling: ‘I have received a lot of that question lately. By the way, I have been a coach with the men of Oranje-Rood in the past, so the coaching for men is not really new for me. ‘
Photo: Joris refers/Orange Pictures
“He is immediately,” says striker Kars Schreuderers, good for the first goal of Nijmegen on Sunday. ‘If Lucas thinks something is bad, he will say that, but I personally love that way of coaching. He is good in the group and so far he really likes it. ‘
The striker, who has already scored five goals in the competition, also sees that it is nice that the team can now be a bit more careful, now that they are playing a lower level. “Last year it was mainly defensive, now we can attack more. As a striker that is sometimes very nice, but the goal remains to be back in the big league as quickly as possible. ‘
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