Thierry Brinkman

About Thierry Brinkman

Standout hockey player Thierry Brinkman was born in Bilthoven, Netherlands, the son of international hockey player Jacques Brinkman and the brother of football player Tim Brinkman. The family he was born in has sport and discipline ingrained in them, regardless, he sought to make a name for himself through sheer hard work and prodigious talent. <br/><br/> Thierry Brinkman’s professional journey began at Waterloo with a local hockey club, SCHC. But in 2010, he moved to SV Kampong which helped him take his career to the next level. He went on to make his debut at the age of 17 years during the 2012-2013 season. Three years later, he joined HC Bloemendaal, which sparked a new phase in his career. <br/><br/> Thierry Brinkman proved to be a great asset to the club during his time at Bloemendaal. He played a crucial part in the Euro Hockey League victory of the club in the season of 2017-2018, and in his fourth year with the club helped them clinch the Dutch national title for the first time in years by beating his ex-club Kampong. Across the span of 9 seasons, the team dominated at the top, winning several Euro Hockey League and Hoofdklasse achieving domestic and European hockey dominance. Most recently, he has joined Den Bosch and is set to stay there until 2028, thus helping him bring his experience further as he began a new journey with the new team in 2024. <br/><br/> Like his national career, his international career has been stellar as well. His international debut was with the Dutch team in a test match against South Africa where he ended up being an integral part of the team in a quick span of time. He was a prominent player during the 2018 Hockey World Cup and scored four goals in the tournament, helping his team reach the finals. Thierry’s performance in the tournament cemented his place as one of the world’s best in the game. <br/><br/> Over the years, Thierry has enjoyed success with the Netherlands squad, winning several EuroHockey medals in 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2023, alongside two back-to-back FIH Pro League titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23. And most importantly he has achieved a big career milestone as the captain to lead Netherlands to its first men’s hockey gold in 24 years at the 2024 Paris Olympics. <br/><br/> Thierry Brinkman is known for his excellent skills, astute match understanding, and a never-give-up attitude toward the game. Widely regarded as a versatile forward and midfielder, the mix of individual and team honours signifies his focus on persistence and hard work. He is an icon of Dutch hockey, representing the Netherlands in over 176 games and scoring more than 76 goals. Currently, as a forward for the Kalinga Lancers, Thierry is set to dominate the hockey field in the Indian Hockey League. <br/><br/> Thierry Brinkman’s journey as an athlete from the suburbs of Bilthoven to the Olympic podium in Paris showcases a legacy and a love for the game of hockey, that is filled with brilliance, humbleness, and resilience, which has set an example for future generations to look up to.