The Coaches
All John Heitinga wanted for his 7th birthday was a trial at Ajax. He got his wish, and 17 years on he is still living the dream, defending the colours of the club he grew up supporting as a boy. Here, several of the coaches who have worked with him over the years, recall how he first burst onto the scene, and how he has evolved into one of the team’s true leaders.
Patrick Ladru: A great footballer
“John was already doing well at Ajax as a seven year-old,” recalls Patrick Ladru, who coached Heitinga with the E-team (the 6-8 age group).
“He always had great presence on the pitch. Of course, he was also a head taller than most of his peers and was, quite simply, a great footballer. He had an amazing long range pass, he used to take all the free-kicks, and he was also able to curl corners straight into the goal.
“I remember an Ajax E1 match against Volendam. I was talking to Wim Kwakman, Volendam’s youth trainer. He predicted that John would one day end up in Ajax’s first team. “If he doesn’t make it, none of the juniors will,” he told me; and I couldn’t have agreed more.”
Jan Olde Riekerink: Perfect 10
According to Jan Olde Riekerink, who oversaw John’s progress between the ages of 12 and 13 the young defender’s dedication and leadership qualities made him stand out from most of his peers. And they earned him an unheard of ‘perfect 10’.
‘We used to give the lads marks out of 10,” explains Riekerink. “I had never given anyone ten before. John was the first and the only one who ever got ten points from me, and it was for his leadership skills. He was a sociable guy, and always prepared to practice. If it rained on Friday, John would ask whether there would be extra practice on Saturday in case the match was cancelled. He showed total commitment.
Riekerink also noticed the young centre-back’s attacking instincts already coming to the fore, along with that rarest of attributes in a defender, the ability to play with both feet. “By then, John was already showing that he was able to come forward out of defence, timing his runs at the right moment.
“His passing was his main asset, of course, but what I feel even more proud about is the way he managed to develop his ability with his weaker left foot. He has really worked hard on that.”
Hennie de Regt: John looked out for the rest of the team
Hennie de Regt, who coached John in between 13 and 14 says one incident sticks in his memory that marked the youngster out as a true team player and a future leader.
“If it was raining and one player had forgotten his waterproof, John would make sure the entire squad went out to train without one,” recalls de Regt.
“This way, the forgetful player escaped the manager’s wrath. John looked out for the rest of the team. He would say the rain wasn’t so bad and that there was no problem for the squad to train without waterproofs.”
“John was already doing well at Ajax as a seven year-old,” recalls Patrick Ladru, who coached Heitinga with the E-team (the 6-8 age group).
“He always had great presence on the pitch. Of course, he was also a head taller than most of his peers and was, quite simply, a great footballer. He had an amazing long range pass, he used to take all the free-kicks, and he was also able to curl corners straight into the goal.
“I remember an Ajax E1 match against Volendam. I was talking to Wim Kwakman, Volendam’s youth trainer. He predicted that John would one day end up in Ajax’s first team. “If he doesn’t make it, none of the juniors will,” he told me; and I couldn’t have agreed more.”
Jan Olde Riekerink: Perfect 10
According to Jan Olde Riekerink, who oversaw John’s progress between the ages of 12 and 13 the young defender’s dedication and leadership qualities made him stand out from most of his peers. And they earned him an unheard of ‘perfect 10’.
‘We used to give the lads marks out of 10,” explains Riekerink. “I had never given anyone ten before. John was the first and the only one who ever got ten points from me, and it was for his leadership skills. He was a sociable guy, and always prepared to practice. If it rained on Friday, John would ask whether there would be extra practice on Saturday in case the match was cancelled. He showed total commitment.
Riekerink also noticed the young centre-back’s attacking instincts already coming to the fore, along with that rarest of attributes in a defender, the ability to play with both feet. “By then, John was already showing that he was able to come forward out of defence, timing his runs at the right moment.
“His passing was his main asset, of course, but what I feel even more proud about is the way he managed to develop his ability with his weaker left foot. He has really worked hard on that.”
Hennie de Regt: John looked out for the rest of the team
Hennie de Regt, who coached John in between 13 and 14 says one incident sticks in his memory that marked the youngster out as a true team player and a future leader.
“If it was raining and one player had forgotten his waterproof, John would make sure the entire squad went out to train without one,” recalls de Regt.
“This way, the forgetful player escaped the manager’s wrath. John looked out for the rest of the team. He would say the rain wasn’t so bad and that there was no problem for the squad to train without waterproofs.”
