NEW: Maaslax Interview Series
Interested what being a Lacrosse coach, board member, or player is like? Never seen Lacrosse in real life before? Maaslax would like to introduce you to a number of its coaches, board members, and players. Interesting insights into the team and and the sport are a promise, but check it out yourself!
This interview will be starring Andries Metz, responsible for external relations of Maastricht Lacrosse.
What is your board position at Maastricht Lacrosse?
My position in the board is managing external relations. I manage, attract and keep in contact with companies, bars, stores and so on. I also try to get sponsors or professional relations with companies and individuals with whom we can work in a mutually beneficial way.
Is this your first board position in an association? In your opinion, how does a board position at Maastricht Lacrosse differ from similar positions at other associations?
At this moment I’m also project manager for the study association of my Master in Sustainability Science and Policy. For example, I’m currently working on a plan for an urban garden for a small plot on the bottom of the St. Pieter Berg. This is completely different from Maastricht Lacrosse because I’m dealing with seeds, seasons and flowers rather than people but it is also great fun and a nice experience! During my bachelor Human Technology Interaction in Groningen, I also enjoyed a board position in a study association where I did a similar position however combined with organizing events. One of the major differences is that for Maastricht Lacrosse I am much closer to my team members, since I have practice with them twice a week. This makes working for Maastricht Lacrosse more worthwhile because I know whom I am doing it for.
How would you describe your personal responsibilities towards the team?
When I joined Maastricht Lacrosse about 1,5 years ago, there already was a close existing team that took me in and let me enjoy the team spirit that makes Maastricht Lacrosse unique. I personally feel responsible to make everybody as welcome as I was and to teach what has been taught when I was a rookie. This means planning my other activities, so that I can make it to most practices and traditional social activities while also being available whenever a team member is in need, whatever the problem may be.
As the oldest lacrosse organization in the Netherlands, Maastricht Lacrosse is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. How would you describe the experience of being “Lama”?
Being a Lama is like being part of a family. It’s hard to describe but any Lama would and should know what I’m talking about.
What do you like best about Maastricht Lacrosse?
Close ties to everyone around you, the traditions that only Lamas know and a culture built on being a team.
In your opinion, what are the biggest improvements within the team since the implementation of the new board?
I am proud and happy to say that we have managed to get the team up and running after some struggles in the past. We could not have done this without the work of the previous president and coach Christoph Kreker. I also feel like we have managed to organize the team in a way that ensures continuity and existence of the team and the club in the future.
What could be improved within the organization of the team?
In the short term, we should aim to have permanent coaches and trainers so we can allow the current ones to play with us. Further, I think it would be awesome to grow the club to a level comparable to what I remember from soccer clubs in my youth. With this comparison I refer to having a club that has a large member base, unites families and friends in and around the pitch during and after matches and has volunteers that love the sport as much as we do. This is probably a dream for the long-term, yet a nice goal for the coming years!
Can you think of a team moment to remember?
There are too many, but I’ll try to sketch one. I’ve been talking about team spirit and I do think this is a very important team moment. To me, this team spirit is felt in every cheer we do before and after matches and practices but also (and this might sound a bit macho) when the team collectively shouts the number of push-ups we’re doing: one team, one voice!