Dutch handballer Nathalie Hendrikse is a globetrotter and not afraid of finding her luck and happiness in new places. Besides her home country, she has already played in Norway and Germany. Read further to find out what keeps her striving for more.

Lefty advantages

There are two positions on the field which are usually easier for a left-handed to be on. As there are not so many left-handed as for right-handed people, they have an advantage in those two positions!

The juice

Handball is a team sport so everything you do, you do it for the team! I think that’s something important. Also, I am quite a competitive person so I’m good at pushing myself. I don’t have any mantra or phrase actually, but I know that after hard days it can only get easier!

Fun is the goal!

For me, the most important thing is that I am having fun in whatever I do. I love to be creative and would like to use that in daily life. So I don’t have a certain goal I’d like to reach, but I’d rather enjoy every day where I do what I like most.

Handball influencers

I think I’ve been taught to work together with and for my teammates.
Also, I’ve always been very dedicated and since I have been young I had to be very disciplined and choose handball above everything else (like hanging out with my friends from school and parties). Since I’ve also lived in both Norway and Germany I learn languages and culture which could be useful later.

Woman with the means

Haha, yes I do quite a lot of different things. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right balance, but for me, handball is always on number one. I would say you should buy a planner and become really good at planning (which I should be a bit better at). And when you do something you like, it gets a lot easier!

Chilly Norway or social Europe?

Så bra! I have lived for two years in Norway and loved it. The winters were cold and long and it was really nice but I am also happy to be in an area with a little less snow haha. The culture was easy for me and I learned a bit of the language. However, Germany is more similar to The Netherlands and there is much more to do here when I have some time off. Norway has a beautiful nature, but I am happy to be able to a lot more social and cultural things here!

The not so difficult difficulties

For me, it has been a lot easier than I thought. My family comes over a lot and now I live in Germany it is even easier and quicker to go home or have some visitors here. However, I have heard from many other players that they find it difficult to be so far away from family. So I guess it just depends on the person.

Stats

• Born 19.04.1995 in Amsterdam
• Nat.: Dutch
• Height: 1,70 m/5’69”
• Club: Neckarsulmer Sport-Union (Germany)
• Position: right-winger (left-handed)
• No: 6
• Division: Handball Bundesliga Frauen

Check out Nathalie’s online jewelry shop!
https://bluebuddhajewelry.com/