What does it mean to you being voted Goalkeeper of the Year?
I’m extremely happy and I feel very honoured, especially considering all the other great goalkeepers that were nominated for this title. It’s the first time that I have received an individual award, which makes this particularly special for me.
Do you feel you have performed differently this season, or is it simply a case that things have fallen into place for you this year?
I’ve been working hard over the last few years to keep on improving year on year. The last couple of seasons already went well, but in 2014 and especially during the World Cup, everything came together. Not only did we play our best hockey but it was also unique that we only conceded one goal.
(FIH: This goal was conceded when Joyce had been substituted, meaning Joyce actually conceded no goals the entire tournament.)
Have you approached training differently this year?
I wouldn’t say that I fundamentally changed my training regime in 2014. I always train hard and I aim to work on every aspect of the game. My focus was on hockey, yet I still managed to find some time for medicine study.
Has a change in coach changed the way you and your team play?
Definitely, every coach has his own style and I try to learn from all of my coaches. Max (Caldas) helped us to be the best we could be at the Olympics in 2012 and the World Cup in 2014. Currently we’re working with Sjoerd (Marijne), who brings some fresh ideas and will help us to get to the next level.
What do you feel are the strengths in your game?
I think that my key strengths are good reflexes, being athletic and flexible and reading the game. But one aspect in particular, which I think is really important as a goalkeeper, is the mental aspect of the game.
And what do you feel you still need to work on?
I’m always trying to improve my technique together with my goalie trainers Bart van Gaalen and Simon Zijp. Another thing that I’m further developing are my coaching skills.
With Jaap Stockmann winning the men’s award, do the Netherlands have a winning formula for producing great goalkeepers?
The importance of having a good goalkeeper is being more recognised. As a result, many clubs are giving goalkeepers specific training and attention from an early age.
Tell us about your partnership with your defence
Like every other aspect in hockey, defending the goal is a team effort. My teammates are very determined to gain ball possession and then do what we also love: play some fast combinations and score. I’m lucky to have so many great players standing in front of me and I believe that one of our most important qualities is the fact that we’re such a strong team.
What do the next few months hold for the Dutch national squad?
In 2015 there will be two important tournaments, the Hockey World League and the European Championships, and we’ll be very eager to win these tournaments.
