Beach volleyball player Wies Bekhuis receives support from Reggeborgh Foundation
Wies Bekhuis has been accepted into Reggeborgh Foundation's Groene Appeltjes programme. ‘I am very happy with the support, which allows me to focus fully on my sport,’ says the beach volleyball player, who has her sights set on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. ‘That is the ultimate goal we are training for, but we must also enjoy the journey along the way.’
Bekhuis (23) came close to qualifying for the Paris Olympics last year with Brecht Piersma. The pair won the Olympic qualifying tournament together with Emi van Driel and Kirsten Bröring, but missed out on a top 5 finish at an Elite tournament, which meant they were not selected.
This season, that goal has already been achieved. Recently, Bekhuis, who now forms a duo with Emi van Driel, took fourth place at an Elite 16 tournament in Brazil. ‘We never dared to dream that beforehand. This is a nice step in the right direction.’
The girl out of Twente native started playing volleyball at the age of 6 at Dynamo Tubbergen. She quickly made it to the Regional Talent Centre and moved to premier league club Set-Up 65 in Ootmarsum. ‘I was asked to play beach volleyball. I was a dynamic player and could jump easily. Around the age of 15, I also started playing on sand.’
It immediately proved to be a good match. ‘I am an all-round player, which suits beach volleyball well,’ says Bekhuis. ‘The two of you are immediately the core of your team. I like that responsibility. You have a big share in everything,’ says the volleyball player, who left Tubbergen three years ago for The Hague, where she trains with Beach Team Netherlands.
At the beginning of this year, she completed her higher professional education in Architecture, allowing Bekhuis to focus on her sporting ambitions. ‘I'm glad that Reggeborgh Foundation came my way. It allows me to focus fully on my sport and do what I really want to do. Beach volleyball is my passion and I want to get the most out of it,’ says the volleyball player, who does not have A status from the NOCNSF. Her first major goal is to qualify for the World Championships in Australia at the end of this year.
Inge Wessels of the Reggeborgh Foundation: ‘Wies lives and breathes beach volleyball; her enthusiasm is infectious. We love to see that. She is also an inspiration to young people and will continue to dedicate herself to that cause. We are proud to add her, a talented athlete from our own region, to our Groene Appels selection.’
Reggeborgh Foundation is committed to a healthy future for everyone. ‘Together, we are working towards a society in which everyone can enjoy sports and exercise and where medical research contributes to a healthy future.’