The international career of Dutch forward and midfielder Naomi van As commenced on 20 June 2003 during a match against South Africa. Since that debut, she established a track record at the highest levels of global field hockey, securing multiple Olympic gold medals and earning international recognition as one of the sport's most consistent offensive threats.
Early Career and National Breakthrough
Born in 1983 in The Hague, Van As attended Aloysius College before entering the professional ranks. Her progression led to a position with the Dutch club MHC Laren, where she developed her skills as a forward and midfielder. Following her 2003 national team debut, she became a foundational member of the Netherlands squad, contributing to the team's success at the 2006 Women's Hockey World Cup and the 2007 Champions Trophy.
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Van As reached the pinnacle of international competition at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. During the final against China, she scored the opening goal of the 2–0 victory, helping secure the gold medal for the Netherlands. She repeated this achievement at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Her international participation concluded at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where the Dutch team finished with a silver medal following a shoot-out loss to Great Britain.
Awards and Honors
The International Hockey Federation recognized her individual performance by naming her FIH Player of the Year in both 2009 and 2016. In 2012, following the team's gold medal success, the state acknowledged her contributions by naming her a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau. These accolades reflect a career defined by sustained high-level performance across over a decade of elite competition.
Fast facts
- Born: 26 July 1983, The Hague
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Education: Aloysius College
- Club: MHC Laren
- Olympic Gold: 2008, 2012
- FIH Player of the Year: 2009, 2016
- Award: Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau
Questions readers ask
How many times was Van As named FIH Player of the Year?
She received this award twice, in 2009 and 2016.
What was the final international tournament of her career?
Her career concluded at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
