Eliza Hakstege has been playing hockey since the age of six. Now in her third season with HCKZ Ladies 1, she shares her perspective on teamwork, competitiveness, and the parallels between top-level sport and business.
Teamwork as the foundation
For Eliza, “teamwork means striving for a shared goal and committing to it together.” An important part of this is understanding both your own strengths and those of your teammates, “so that together you can achieve the best possible result.”
That sense of togetherness becomes especially important after setbacks. “After a difficult match, I try to refocus the team on our goal. We’ve shown many times how good we can be together and how much enjoyment that brings. Bringing back those positive moments and recreating that ‘happy atmosphere’ often gives us renewed energy.”
According to Eliza, this is what distinguishes a good team from a championship team. “A good team can play strong matches from time to time. A championship team also finds a way on difficult days. Setbacks are part of the game -giving up is not.”
Ambition and personal development
Each season, Eliza challenges herself to keep improving, both technically and mentally. “The mental aspect is especially important to me. It allows me to be a stable and reliable presence within the team.” Success, in her view, is never defined by a single outcome. “Our goal is to get promoted, but only if we’re truly ready for it and know it’s really possible. If we’re not good enough, that can also be a conclusion – as long as we’ve taken everything out of the season that we could.”
One moment that still stands out is a home match against Leiden during her first season at KZ. “We won 3–1 in a difficult year. It was the first time I truly felt that I was important to the team and performing at my level. That moment gave me confidence and validation that I still benefit from today.”
Looking ahead, Eliza hopes to graduate this year and, in five years’ time, have a steady job she enjoys. “Whether combining that with hockey will still be possible remains to be seen. Above all, I hope to build a happy life with good people around me.”
Competitiveness and mindset
What motivates her to perform at a high level week after week is the joy of competing together. “Working hard as a team, pushing yourself to the limit in training and then sharing meals afterwards – that sense of team spirit is incredibly valuable and stays with you for life.”
Pressure is an inevitable part of elite sport, particularly in decisive matches. “Pressure can sometimes make it harder to find your rhythm. Patience and trust – in yourself and in the team – help you work through those moments.”
Much like entrepreneurship, top-level sport demands mental resilience. Eliza trains her mindset by staying focused on the bigger picture. “Trusting that everything you do is aimed at making yourself better – and, in turn, strengthening the team. Knowing your ‘why’ is essential, as are the basics: good nutrition and enough rest.”
The connection with Main Capital
Eliza believes companies can learn a great deal from elite sports teams. “You experience both highs and lows together. Turning setbacks into stronger bonds is incredibly powerful -in sport as well as in business.”
If she were to describe the culture of Ladies 1 as a company, it would be an open one. “Feedback is expected, shared and received. That openness helps us continue to grow.”
If she could pass on one value from HCKZ to Main Capital, it would be family. “The club is known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere -everyone enjoys being there.” In return, she sees responsibility as a Main Capital value that would further strengthen her team.
With a clear focus on the season ahead, Eliza’s ambition remains unchanged: to keep growing, to keep performing together and to get the very best out of the year – as a team.
