Zeskamp 1970-71 comprised 8 teams

Teams for Zeskamp 1970-1971:

Alkmaar, De Bilt, Doetinchem, Drachten,
Linne, Rolde, Winschoten, Zoetermeer

The format of Zeskamp was revised for 1970-1971 compared to previous years: there were now eight teams competing and qualification for each phase was based upon league tables, with heat winners awarded 8 league points down to 8th placed teams receiving 1pt. The series opened up with two preliminary heats after which two teams were eliminated. The six teams that were involved after this first stage all qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières and also continued to battle it out in Zeskamp, with the 1970-71 Zeskamp Championship being decided on league points at the end of Round 3, Heat 2. The Top 2 aggregate points scorers would reach the Zeskamp Super Final where they would meet Alphen aan den Rijn, the reigning Zeskamp Champions of 1969-70.

NL

Zeskamp 1970-1971

Round 1, Heat 2

Event Staged: Saturday 7th November 1970
Venue: Frieslandhal (Friesland Hall), Leeuwarden, Friesland, Netherlands

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
Nederland 1 (NL): Saturday 7th November 1970, 8.20-9.35pm (Live)

Weather Conditions: Not applicable as event was staged indoors

Teams: Alkmaar v. De Bilt v. Doetinchem v. Drachten v.
Linne v. Rolde v. Winschoten v. Zoetermeer

Team Members included:
Alkmaar - R. van der Gaast (Team 'Thinker');
De Bilt - A. Bouwmeester (Team 'Thinker');
Doetinchem - L.C. van der Meulen (Team 'Thinker'), Emiel Kaiser (Team Captain);
Drachten - Wim Ensing (Co-Team Coach), Jan Valkenburg (Co-Team Coach), Henk de Boer (Team 'Thinker'), Chris Rota (Team Captain, non-playing), Elisabeth Bergsma, Sytske de Boer, Gaitzen Debreczeny, Kanne Debreczeny, Jan Dolstra, Ruurd Ettema, Chris Jaasma, Chris de Jong, Errit Klaver, Harm Kooiker, Janneke Korthof, Peter van Leeningen, Fokje van der Meer, Truida Seinstra, Froukje van de Veen, Aaltje Veenstra, Frans van der Vinne;
Linne - Sjef Simons (Team Manager), Andreas Suntjens (Team Coach), H. Th. Dalemans (Team 'Thinker'), Harrie Beurskens (Team Captain);
Rolde - Gosse Berga (Team Manager), Fré Bos (Co-Team Coach), Roelof Brands (Co-Team Coach), M. Klaver (Team 'Thinker'), Frits Busscher (Team Captain, non-playing / Co-Team Coach), Henk Beijering, Lens Beijering, Annie Berends, Paul Bitter, Harry Dijkstra, Alberta H. Hadders, Peter Heidinga, Henk Komduur, Geesje Ottens, Henk Prins, Arie Regien, Klaas Regien, Albert Reinders, Ika Smit, Aafje Strijker, Geesje Ubels, Boele de Vries, Grietje de Vries;
Winschoten - Bauwie Huiting (Team Manager), Andries Lieven (Team Physio), W.C. Stoppe Lenburg (Team 'Thinker'), Gerke de Jong (Team Captain, non-playing), Fenneke de Boer, Dinie Buurman, Dick Garst, Henk Haan, Hemmo Lich, Rikus Nanninga, H. Nieboer, Jan Paap, Roel Ploeger, Jan Verbeek;
Zoetermeer - J. Keukelaar.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

League

Aggregate

1st
1st
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th

 L • Linne ● ●
 R • Rolde ● ●
 Z • Zoetermeer ●
 DO • Doetinchem ●
 W • Winschoten ●
 A • Alkmaar
 B • De Bilt
 DR • Drachten ●

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

16
14
10
7
9
4
6
8

The Host Town

Leeuwarden, Friesland

Leeuwarden (known locally as Ljouwert) is a city with a population of around 110,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the province of Friesland. It is located 26km (16 miles) east of Harlingen, 29km (18 miles) south of the island of Ameland, 51km (32 miles) west of Groningen and 80km (50 miles) north of Lelystad.

The area has been occupied since the 10th century, although recently remains of houses dating back to the 2nd century were discovered during a dig near the De Oldehove (an unfinished church tower), and was granted a city charter in 1435. Situated along the Middelzee, it was an active trade centre, until the waterway silted up in the 15th century. During World War II (1939-1945) and after extensive occupation by the German forces, the Royal Canadian Dragoons, disobeying direct orders, charged into the heavily defended city on 15th April 1945 and defeated the Germans, who were driven out by the next day. Since then, the Royal Canadian Dragoons still fly the flag of the city of Leeuwarden wherever they are stationed.

There is much uncertainty about the origin of the city's name. The second syllable is easily explained with warden being the Dutch word for an artificial dwelling hill or terp. The first part of the name, leeuw, means lion in modern standard Dutch. This interpretation corresponds with the coat of arms adopted by the city, which features a heraldic lion. However, modern Dutch was not used in this region in the Middle Ages, when the city was called Lintarwrde. Some scholars argue that the name of the city is derived from leeu, a corruption of luw (Dutch for sheltered from the wind) or from lee (a Dutch word for water circulation). The latter more fitting the watery province of Friesland.

Along the pedestrianised street of Nieuwstad is De Waaghuis (weigh-house) which was originally a public building at or within which goods, and the like, were weighed. With public control of the weight of goods deemed to be of great importance and prior to the establishment of international standards for weights, it was managed by the local authority which would use it for the levying of taxes on goods transported through or sold within the city. Therefore the weigh-house would often be near a market square or town centre. Between 1550 and 1690, a weigh-house would have had a more sinister use. People accused of witchcraft were at times brought to a weigh-house in order to be subjected to a ‘witch test’. If a person was found to be lighter than a set weight, he or she was deemed guilty! This was similar to the use of a ducking stool.

The Froskepôlemolen is the last surviving smock mill from over 130 known to have stood in Leeuwarden. Dating back to 1896, the mill was rebuilt and relocated to another part of Leeuwarden in 1962 after it had become surrounded by industrial buildings. A smock mill is a type of windmill that consists of a sloping, horizontally weather boarded or thatched tower, usually with six or eight sides. It is topped with a roof or cap that rotates to bring the sails into the wind. This type of windmill got its name from its resemblance to smocks worn by farmers in an earlier period.

Every year on Ascension Day (39 days after Easter Sunday), Leeuwarden traditionally organises the ‘Bloemetjesmarkt’ (flower market). It is the Netherland’s longest market with a sea of flowers as far as the eye can see, right through the city’s centre on the Lange Marktstraat and Tesselschadestraat. The market embraces some two hundred stalls selling flowers and plants. From early in the morning to late in the afternoon, it draws thousands of people who return home with bags, buckets and sometimes carts filled with plants and flowers. On average, the Leeuwarden flower market is visited by some 30,000 people per year. Leeuwarden is also the site of the country's largest cattle market.

The Visiting Towns

Alkmaar is located 95km (59 miles) south-west of Leeuwarden.

De Bilt is located 129km (80 miles) south of Leeuwarden.

Doetinchem is located 142km (88 miles) south-east of Leeuwarden.

Drachten is located 21km (13 miles) south-east of Leeuwarden.

Linne is located 227km (141 miles) south of Leeuwarden.

Rolde is located 61km (38 miles) south-east of Leeuwarden.

Winschoten is located 82km (51 miles) east of Leeuwarden.

Zoetermeer is located 154km (96 miles) south-west of Leeuwarden.

The Venue

Frieslandhal

The games were played at the Frieslandhal which has had a very chequered history over the years. On 1st June 1953, the city of Leeuwarden took the decision to move a cattle market site onto the Heliconweg, which itself was to become part of the future ring-road at Leeuwarden.

Originally designed as an open-air market hall, the Frieslandhal was opened to the public in mid-July 1956. During its construction, the idea for it to become a fully covered market increasingly gathered support. By October 1959, the local councillors relented to the continual pressure and decided that a larger hall, which could cover the entire market, would be constructed. Work on the covered hall began in February 1961 and the work was completed in just over 2½ years.

To mark the opening of the Frieslandhal on 16th September 1963 by Queen Juliana (1909-2004), a five-day exhibition was held from 16th-21st September 1963. By the early 1980s, the Frieslandhal had been demolished and a new hall - Veemarkthal - was built in its place.

By the 1990s, the Veemarkthal had been upgraded and was now entitled the EATC (European Agri-Nutri Trade Centre). However, following an accidental fire on 23rd November 1996 (thought to have been started by youths playing with matches in the hay), the hall was destroyed. Not to be perturbed the local council rebuilt the hall and it was given a new name of the FEC (Frisian Expo Centre). However in 2005, the FEC was renamed and re-branded and now stands proud as the WTC Expo Leeuwarden (World Trade Centre Exhibition Hall).

Additional Information

It is unclear how Doetinchem qualified over De Bilt, as the latter team appears to have had the same league points as the former (and were also awarded 3pts instead of 4pts for an equal 5th in Heat 1). There is of course the possibility that the results we have access to are not 100% accurate.

Made in Colour • This programme may exist in Dutch Archives

NL

Zeskamp 1970-1971

Round 2, Heat 1

Event Staged: Saturday 5th December 1970
Venue: Groenoordhal (Groenoord Hall), Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
Nederland 1 (NL): Saturday 5th December 1970, 8.17-9.35pm (Live)

Weather Conditions: Not applicable as event was staged indoors

Teams: Doetinchem v. Drachten v. Linne v.
Rolde v. Winschoten v. Zoetermeer

Team Members included:
Doetinchem - L.C. van der Meulen (Team 'Thinker'), Emiel Kaiser (Team Captain);
Drachten - Wim Ensing (Co-Team Coach), Jan Valkenburg (Co-Team Coach), Henk de Boer (Team 'Thinker'), Chris Rota (Team Captain, non-playing), Elisabeth Bergsma, Sytske de Boer, Gaitzen Debreczeny, Kanne Debreczeny, Jan Dolstra, Ruurd Ettema, Chris Jaasma, Chris de Jong, Errit Klaver, Harm Kooiker, Janneke Korthof, Peter van Leeningen, Fokje van der Meer, Truida Seinstra, Froukje van de Veen, Aaltje Veenstra, Frans van der Vinne;
Linne - Sjef Simons (Team Manager), Andreas Suntjens (Team Coach), H. Th. Dalemans (Team 'Thinker'), Harrie Beurskens (Team Captain);
Rolde - Gosse Berga (Team Manager), Fré Bos (Co-Team Coach), Roelof Brands (Co-Team Coach), M. Klaver (Team 'Thinker'), Frits Busscher (Team Captain, non-playing / Co-Team Coach), Henk Beijering, Lens Beijering, Annie Berends, Paul Bitter, Harry Dijkstra, Alberta H. Hadders, Peter Heidinga, Henk Komduur, Geesje Ottens, Henk Prins, Arie Regien, Klaas Regien, Albert Reinders, Ika Smit, Aafje Strijker, Geesje Ubels, Boele de Vries, Grietje de Vries;
Winschoten - Bauwie Huiting (Team Manager), Andries Lieven (Team Physio), W.C. Stoppe Lenburg (Team 'Thinker'), Gerke de Jong (Team Captain, non-playing), Fenneke de Boer, Dinie Buurman, Dick Garst, Henk Haan, Hemmo Lich, Rikus Nanninga, H. Nieboer, Jan Paap, Roel Ploeger, Jan Verbeek;
Zoetermeer - J. Keukelaar.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

League

Aggregate

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th

 L • Linne  ●
 DR • Drachten
 W • Winschoten
 DO • Doetinchem
 Z • Zoetermeer
 R • Rolde

25
23
22
20
14
12

22

13

13

10

12

15

The Host Town

Leiden, Zuid-Holland

Leiden is a city with a population of around 120,000 inhabitants in the province of Zuid-Holland and lies on the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) river, a 51km (32 miles) long branch of the Rhine. It is located at sea level elevation, 35km (22 miles) south-west of Amsterdam, 75km (47 miles) north of Bergen-op-Zoom, 90km (56 miles) south of Den Helder and 164km (102 miles) west of Enschede.

The city lies at what has traditionally been an important junction where waterways and roads cross and will enchant all who visit. It is famous for its almshouses, university, museums and glorious history. The spirit of the Golden Age lives on here, a place where artist Rembrandt (1606-1669) was born and inspired so many other influential painters. But even after this era, Leiden continued to attract scientists, artists and industry. The canals, the historical buildings, the alleyways, the treasuries of knowledge, culture and science in Leiden are definitely worth a visit.

By the end of the 15th century, Leiden was the largest city in the province of Holland. This was largely due to the international cloth-making industry. However, the economic tide began to turn with the advent of the 16th century. The reformation led to mass prosecution of Protestants and in 1572, Leiden joined the Dutch resistance against Spain's oppression. The people of Leiden succumbed to disease and starvation and the Spanish nearly conquered the city. However, they successfully drove the troops out on 3rd October 1574. The great liberation, known as Leidens Ontzet (Relief of Leiden), is still lavishly celebrated today (and was also the theme for Jeux Sans Frontières when the programme staged the International Final in the city in 1974). This huge party is not the only result of the Spanish occupation but also that the city was allegedly given the university as a reward for its heroic resistance.

The Relief marked the beginning of a new Golden Age. In 1577, tens of thousands of Dutch people from the south flocked to Leiden on account of their Calvinist faith. These were experienced textile workers and business people who helped revive the failing wool industry in Leiden with new products, techniques, capital and labour and Leiden became the second largest city after Amsterdam. Despite major plague epidemics, the population quadrupled resulting in the city being expanded in 1611, 1644 and again in 1659, when the network of canals was laid out in its current incarnation. At the height of the boom around 1670, the city was densely populated by some 60,000 people. After Amsterdam, Leiden is the city with the most canals, with the city’s historic centre boasting more than 29km (18 miles) of canals and waterways. To cross all these waterways, you obviously need bridges, and Leiden has no less than 88!

The city’s wool industry was steadily declining in the 18th century, with work drying up and people moving elsewhere. This downturn, caused by the failing wool industry, led to unrest and the ongoing war waged by Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) only aggravated the situation. The final straw came when Leiden was struck by catastrophic disaster. On 12th January 1807, a ship loaded with 17,400kg (38,360lb) of gunpowder exploded in the middle of Leiden, killing 151 people. Over 2,000 others were injured and some 220 homes were destroyed. King Louis Bonaparte (1778-1846) personally visited the city to provide assistance to the victims. Although located in the centre of the city, the area destroyed remained empty for many years, with the space eventually turned into a public park in 1886.

After 1815, the city began to show signs of recovery once more when Leiden's industry began to diversify during the second half of the century with emerging new sectors such as metal, printing and canning. Leiden underwent a dramatic transformation during the last 30 years of the 20th century. In the 1960s, it was a rundown industrial city with the university as its main claim to fame. By the early 1980s, the industries had disappeared, and unemployment was rampant. However, the city managed to again bounce back by tapping into new sectors.

The Visiting Towns

Doetinchem is located 124km (77 miles) east of Leiden.

Drachten is located 148km (92 miles) north-east of Leiden.

Linne is located 149km (93 miles) south-east of Leiden.

Rolde is located 172km (107 miles) north-east of Leiden.

Winschoten is located 204km (127 miles) north-east of Leiden.

Zoetermeer is located 11km (7 miles) south of Leiden.

The Venue

Groenoordhal

The games were played in the Groenoordhal, the largest of a complex of halls called the Groenoordhallen, which played host to a large regional cattle market for several decades. It was built in 1969 on land that had originally been part of the Groenoord Estate.

In 1355, Leiden was given an urban extension, which led to the Haarlemmerstraat being located within the city walls. The swampy area outside of the walls was reclaimed and on the polder, garden nurseries, fruit farms and the Groenoord were created.

In 1572, the city council decided that all wooden buildings on the nurseries had to be demolished to protect the city from being set alight during the current siege by the invading Spaniards. As the cloth industry expanded, a window field was set up in the western part of the Groenoord. On wooden windows, the painted wet sheets were stretched to dry.

In 1756, Johan Aegidius van der Marck (1707-1770), chief officer of the city of Leiden, requested that he be allowed to build a playhouse on the grounds of his country estate. This consisted of a house with a beautiful dome, a carpenter's house, a fishing pond, a park, a peach greenhouse, three pieces of warmus land and 50 rods of pasture (0.3125 acres or 1,264.64m²). The total area was about six hectares (60,000m² or 645,835ft²) and covered the area which today is surrounded by the main railway line to the west, Willem de Zwijgerlaan to the south, Gooimeerlaan to the east and the Stinksloot dyke to the north. After Van der Marck's death, the land was passed down to his brother. When he, too, died in 1788, the land and all its property were sold by his heirs and then, in the early part of the 19th century, it was resold to Abraham Harteveld, Jr. (1793-1866). He constructed a large house on the land in 1830 or thereabouts, which was given the name Groenoord. His mother died in 1837 at the Groenoord house.

The estate and house then remained in private hands for almost a century. The last owner of the estate was artist Floris Henrik Verster van Wulverhorst (1861-1927) who lived there with his wife Jenny Kamerlingh Onnes. In 1926, following her death a few years earlier, he sold the country estate to the municipality of Leiden for the princely sum of 27,000 guilders (roughly £2,500 at the time), equivalent to approximately £110,000 in 2020, under the proviso he could remain in residence until his demise. He was a one-eyed man and within a year of the sale, he was found drowned in the carp pond in the garden.

The house was then rented out to the art critic and expert Willem Cornelis Feltkamp and his cousin Willem Hendrik Mühlstaff (1894-1982), painter and director of the Rotterdam Academy of Art, who during the war offered shelter to amongst others, painter and graphic artist Dirk Hidde Nijland (1881-1955).

The forest of more than 400 trees remained standing for a long time, much to the delight of hikers and children at play. However, during World War II (1939-1945), it was cut down by mainly black-market traders for their own gain, barring one large chestnut tree.

In 1960, the lease on the property was cancelled by the municipality and the country estate was demolished in 1961 to make way for a new residential area and a complex of halls that would host the regional cattle market and other large events.

Comprising several small halls and one large hall (the Groenoordhal), the Groenoordhallen (Groenoord Halls) building was quickly put to effective use. In addition to its main purpose, it was also regularly used for sports meetings, television broadcasts and music concerts by bands such as Genesis, U2, The Police, Dire Straits, Iron Maiden, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Metallica, Santana, Kiss, The Osmonds and Backstreet Boys, among other events.

However, following the FMD (Foot and Mouth Disease) crisis of 2001, the cattle market was no longer viable and finally closed its doors in 2005. Following some renovation work, the hall was reopened and hosted many national and international trade fairs, exams, product presentations, conferences, parties, concerts and other events including Disney on Ice and paranormal shows.

In 2006, the Groenoordhal played host to tennis. A Davis Cup promotion / relegation match between the Netherlands and the Czech Republic was held there, with the Netherlands losing 1-4 and being relegated. However, despite all its uses, it was decided that the hall had run its course by the middle of 2009, and in order to make way for homes and business premises, the Groenoordhallen building was to be demolished.

The demolition was postponed until mid-2010 and then the work finally started, after which only the tower and part of Escher Groenoord Plaza remained.

Additional Information

The league tables continue to include the Round 1 scores into Round 2 and the points awarded run from 6pts for 1st place to 1pt for 6th place.

Made in Colour • This programme may exist in Dutch Archives

NL

Zeskamp 1970-1971

Round 2, Heat 2

Event Staged: Saturday 2nd January 1971
Venue: Brabanthal (Brabant Hall), 's-Hertongenbosch,
Noord-Brabant, Netherlands

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
Nederland 1 (NL): Saturday 2nd January 1971, 8.21-9.35pm (Live)

Weather Conditions: Not applicable as event was staged indoors

Teams: Doetinchem v. Drachten v. Linne v.
Rolde v. Winschoten v. Zoetermeer

Team Members included:
Doetinchem - L.C. van der Meulen (Team 'Thinker'), Emiel Kaiser (Team Captain);
Drachten - Wim Ensing (Co-Team Coach), Jan Valkenburg (Co-Team Coach), Henk de Boer (Team 'Thinker'), Chris Rota (Team Captain, non-playing), Elisabeth Bergsma, Sytske de Boer, Gaitzen Debreczeny, Kanne Debreczeny, Jan Dolstra, Ruurd Ettema, Chris Jaasma, Chris de Jong, Errit Klaver, Harm Kooiker, Janneke Korthof, Peter van Leeningen, Fokje van der Meer, Truida Seinstra, Froukje van de Veen, Aaltje Veenstra, Frans van der Vinne;
Linne - Sjef Simons (Team Manager), Andreas Suntjens (Team Coach), H. Th. Dalemans (Team 'Thinker'), Harrie Beurskens (Team Captain);
Rolde - Gosse Berga (Team Manager), Fré Bos (Co-Team Coach), Roelof Brands (Co-Team Coach), M. Klaver (Team 'Thinker'), Frits Busscher (Team Captain, non-playing / Co-Team Coach), Henk Beijering, Lens Beijering, Annie Berends, Paul Bitter, Harry Dijkstra, Alberta H. Hadders, Peter Heidinga, Henk Komduur, Geesje Ottens, Henk Prins, Arie Regien, Klaas Regien, Albert Reinders, Ika Smit, Aafje Strijker, Geesje Ubels, Boele de Vries, Grietje de Vries;
Winschoten - Bauwie Huiting (Team Manager), Andries Lieven (Team Physio), W.C. Stoppe Lenburg (Team 'Thinker'), Gerke de Jong (Team Captain, non-playing), Fenneke de Boer, Dinie Buurman, Dick Garst, Henk Haan, Hemmo Lich, Rikus Nanninga, H. Nieboer, Jan Paap, Roel Ploeger, Jan Verbeek;
Zoetermeer - J. Keukelaar.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

League

Aggregate

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
4th
4th

 R • Rolde ●
 DR • Drachten
 W • Winschoten
 L • Linne
 Z • Zoetermeer
 DO • Doetinchem

26
25
19
16
16
16

21
18
17
25
15
13

The Host Town

's-Hertogenbosch, Noord-Brabant

's-Hertongenbosch, literally translated as ‘The Duke's Forest’, is a city with a population of around 140,000 inhabitants in the province of Noord-Brabant. It is located 30km (19 miles) north of Eindhoven, 38km (24 miles) south-west of Nijmegen, 80km (50 miles) south-east of Den Haag and 92km (57 miles) south of Lelystad. In speech, the Dutch seldom use the formal 's-Hertogenbosch but rather the colloquial Den Bosch meaning ‘The Forest’.

The city's official name refers to Henry I, Duke of Brabant (1165-1235), whose family had owned a large estate at nearby Orthen for at least four centuries. He founded a new town located on some forested dunes in the middle of a marsh. At age 26, he granted 's-Hertogenbosch city rights and the corresponding trade privileges in 1185. His reason for founding the city was to protect his own interests against encroachment from Gelre and Holland (historical counties) and, from the outset, conceived the city as a fortress. However, the city was destroyed in 1203 in a joint expedition of Gelre and Holland, but was soon rebuilt. Some remnants of the original city walls can still be seen today. In the late 15th century, a much larger wall was erected to protect the greatly expanded settled area with artificial waterways being dug to serve as a city moat, through which the rivers Dommel and Aa were diverted. Until 1520, the city flourished, becoming the second largest population centre in the territory of the present Netherlands, after Utrecht.

After World War II (1939-1945), plans were made to modernise the old city, by filling in the canals, removing or modifying some ramparts and redeveloping historic neighbourhoods. Before these plans could come into effect however, the central government declared the city a protected townscape with most of the historic elements having been preserved. In contrast to cities like Rotterdam, 's-Hertogenbosch survived the Second World War relatively unscathed.

's-Hertogenbosch has the oldest remaining brick house in the Netherlands, 'De Moriaan', which was built at the beginning of the 13th century. In the 1960s, De Moriaan was renovated to its former glory based on a famous 16th century Dutch painting called De Lakenmarkt van 's-Hertogenbosch (The fabric market of 's-Hertogenbosch). In the north of the old city, the hexagonal powder arsenal, or Kruithuis, still exists, one of only two of its kind in the country. The city has its own food speciality, the Bossche Bol, a giant profiterole, 12cm (5½in) in diameter and somewhat larger than a tennis ball, which is filled with whipped cream and coated with dark chocolate.

Once a year, the city changes its name to Oeteldonk. Contrary to popular belief, ‘oetel’ in the name is not a referral to a frog but a facetious reference to the 's-Hertogenbosch Bishop Adrianus Godschalk (1819-1892) who came from the village of Den Dungen and often expressed censure against the 'pagan' carnival festivities. ‘Donk’ is a reference to a dry place in the marsh. The frog is however a symbol often used during Carnival, and it is a symbol of the Oeteldonk Marsh. This change however only lasts for the three days of carnival, even though the original meaning has long disappeared into the background. During this three-day festival, the current elected mayor hands over his duties temporarily to ‘Peer vaan den Muggenheuvel tot den Bobberd’, the bürgermeister of the carnival.

The Visiting Towns

Doetinchem is located 74km (46 miles) north-east of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Drachten is located 164km (102 miles) north of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Linne is located 74km (46 miles) south-east of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Rolde is located 171km (106 miles) north-east of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Winschoten is located 200km (124 miles) north-east of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Zoetermeer is located 69km (43 miles) north-west of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

The Venue

Brabanthal

The games were played in the Brabanthal which was the world’s largest livestock market when it opened its doors in 1931.

Very little is known of the building but its opening coincided with that of the then tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building in New York.

Made in Colour • This programme may exist in Dutch Archives

NL

Zeskamp 1970-1971

Round 2, Heat 3

Event Staged: Saturday 30th January 1971
Venue: Sportpaleis 'Ahoy' (Sports Palace 'Ahoy'), Zuidwijk,
Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
Nederland 1 (NL): Saturday 30th January 1971, 8.21-9.35pm (Live)

Weather Conditions: Not applicable as event was staged indoors

Teams: Doetinchem v. Drachten v. Linne v.
Rolde v. Winschoten v. Zoetermeer

Team Members included:
Doetinchem - L.C. van der Meulen (Team 'Thinker'), Emiel Kaiser (Team Captain);
Drachten - Wim Ensing (Co-Team Coach), Jan Valkenburg (Co-Team Coach), Henk de Boer (Team 'Thinker'), Chris Rota (Team Captain, non-playing), Elisabeth Bergsma, Sytske de Boer, Gaitzen Debreczeny, Kanne Debreczeny, Jan Dolstra, Ruurd Ettema, Chris Jaasma, Chris de Jong, Errit Klaver, Harm Kooiker, Janneke Korthof, Peter van Leeningen, Fokje van der Meer, Truida Seinstra, Froukje van de Veen, Aaltje Veenstra, Frans van der Vinne;
Linne - Sjef Simons (Team Manager), Andreas Suntjens (Team Coach), H. Th. Dalemans (Team 'Thinker'), Harrie Beurskens (Team Captain);
Rolde - Gosse Berga (Team Manager), Fré Bos (Co-Team Coach), Roelof Brands (Co-Team Coach), M. Klaver (Team 'Thinker'), Frits Busscher (Team Captain, non-playing / Co-Team Coach), Henk Beijering, Lens Beijering, Annie Berends, Paul Bitter, Harry Dijkstra, Alberta H. Hadders, Peter Heidinga, Henk Komduur, Geesje Ottens, Henk Prins, Arie Regien, Klaas Regien, Albert Reinders, Ika Smit, Aafje Strijker, Geesje Ubels, Boele de Vries, Grietje de Vries;
Winschoten - Bauwie Huiting (Team Manager), Andries Lieven (Team Physio), W.C. Stoppe Lenburg (Team 'Thinker'), Gerke de Jong (Team Captain, non-playing), Fenneke de Boer, Dinie Buurman, Dick Garst, Henk Haan, Hemmo Lich, Rikus Nanninga, H. Nieboer, Jan Paap, Roel Ploeger, Jan Verbeek;
Zoetermeer - J. Keukelaar.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

League

Aggregate

1st
1st
3rd
4th
5th
6th

 DR • Drachten ● ● ●
 L • Linne ● ● ●
 W • Winschoten ● ●
 R • Rolde ● ●
 Z • Zoetermeer ●
 DO • Doetinchem ●

23
23
20
17
16
14

24

31

21

24

17

14

Linne qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Riccione, Italy:
staged on Wednesday 9th June 1971

Drachten qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Solothurn, Switzerland:
staged on Wednesday 23rd June 1971

Zoetermeer qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Vichy, France:
staged on Wednesday 21st July 1971

Winschoten qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Offenburg, West Germany:
staged on Wednesday 4th August 1971

Rolde qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Blackpool, Great Britain:
staged on Wednesday 18th August 1971

Doetinchem qualified for Jeux Sans Frontières at Oostende, Belgium:
staged on Wednesday 1st September 1971

The Host Town

Rotterdam, Zuid-Holland

Rotterdam is the second largest city in Netherlands with a population of around 630,000 inhabitants. It is located on the Nieuwe Maas river in the province of Zuid Holland, 21km (13 miles) south-east of Den Haag, 50km (31 miles) north of Bergen-op-Zoom, 58km (36 miles) south-west of Amsterdam and 98km (61 miles) west of Arnhem. Its port is the largest cargo port in Europe and the 10th largest in the world. Its logistic success is based on its strategic location on the North Sea, directly at the mouth of the Nieuwe Maas, permitting waterway access into the heart of Western Europe, including the highly industrialised Ruhr region.

The city dates from at least 900 AD, with a settlement at the lower end of the fen stream Rotte (or Rotta, as it was then known, from ‘rot’ (muddy) and ‘a’ (water), thus 'muddy water'). Around 1150, large floods in the area ended development, leading to the construction of protective dikes and dams along the northern banks of the present-day Nieuwe Maas. A dam on the Rotte or 'Rotterdam' was built in the 1260s and was located at the present-day Hoogstraat (High Street). On 7th July 1340, Count Willem IV of Holland (1307-1345) granted city rights to Rotterdam, which then had approximately 2,000 inhabitants.

The port of Rotterdam grew slowly but steadily into a port of importance, becoming the seat of one of the six 'chambers' of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), the Dutch East India Company. The greatest spurt of growth, both in port activity and population, followed the completion of the Nieuwe Waterweg in 1872. The city and harbour started to expand on the south bank of the river.

During World War I (1914-1918), the city was the world's largest spy centre because of Dutch neutrality and its location in between England, Germany and occupied Belgium. During World War II (1939-1945), the German army invaded the Netherlands on 10th May 1940. Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) had hoped to conquer the country in just one day, but his forces met unexpectedly fierce resistance. On 15th May 1940, the Dutch army was finally forced to capitulate, following Hitler's bombing of Rotterdam the previous day and his threats to bomb other Dutch cities. The heart of Rotterdam was almost completely destroyed by the Luftwaffe. Some 80,000 civilians were made homeless and 900 were killed.

Rotterdam was gradually rebuilt from the 1950s through to the 1970s. It remained quite windy and open until the city councils from the 1980s on began developing an active architectural policy. Daring and new styles of apartments, office buildings and recreation facilities resulted in a more 'liveable' city centre with a new skyline.

One of the two most popular tourist attractions of the city is the Zomercarnaval (Summer Carnival) which takes place annually in late July or early August. The first carnival was staged on 4th August 1984 and it offers residents and tourists, the opportunity to experience a taste of those celebrated in Latin America and the Cape Verde Islands albeit some what dampened down by the cooler north European climate. Although the street parade attracts the most visitors, the carnival is a multi-day event and attracts almost one million people a year to the city. On Saturday, a week prior to the parade, a new Carnival Queen is elected at the Cruise Terminal Building on the Wilhelmina Pier. The following Thursday, a Beach Party is held at the Strand aan de Maas, an large open area on the opposite side of the Nieuwe Maas river to the Cruise Terminal Building, at which several brass bands, DJ's and the newly chosen Queen attend. On Friday evening, the Battle of Drums is staged, an event in which several brass bands compete to be named the official Zomercarnaval brass band and earn a spot in the street parade, as well as being invited to take part in the famous Notting Hill Carnival in London during the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The second of the top attractions is the Diergaarde Blijdorp (Blijdorp Zoo) which was designed by architect Sybold van Revesteyn (1889-1983) following damage sustained to the old zoo building during bombing raids on 10th May 1940. Constructed slightly north of its original location, street names such as Diergaardesingel (Zoo Lane) still recall the old zoo. Despite current trends for animal rights, the zoo houses a vast variety of animals and birds from all over the globe. However, with funding from the city being reduced annually, its survival is in jeopardy.

The Visiting Towns

Doetinchem is located 124km (77 miles) east of Rotterdam.

Drachten is located 172km (107 miles) north-east of Rotterdam.

Linne is located 129km (80 miles) south-east of Rotterdam.

Rolde is located 191km (119 miles) north-east of Rotterdam.

Winschoten is located 224km (139 miles) north-east of Rotterdam.

Zoetermeer is located 21km (13 miles) north of Rotterdam.

The Venue

Sportpaleis 'Ahoy'

The games were played at the Sportspaleis ‘Ahoy’ (part of the Ahoy Rotterdam complex), an indoor sporting arena standing in the Dijkzigtterrein, part of the reconstructed Rotterdam port area which had been severely damaged by bombing in the Second World War (1939-1945).

The site had been home to an exhibition hall which had been built to celebrate the reconstruction work with a special 'Rotterdam Ahoy!' exhibition. Amusingly, for some years after, when the dot of the exclamation mark had dropped off the sign, the exhibition hall became known as the Ahoy-Hal and no-one seemed to mind. The hall staged many national and international events, including a notable exhibition of the work of celebrated American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). It also proved its worth as a reception centre for the victims of the North Sea flood, a major natural disaster on the night of Saturday 31st January 1953 that affected the coastlines of the Netherlands, Belgium and England, claiming over two thousand lives and displaced thousands more.

Building work on the Ahoy Rotterdam commenced in 1968 and by 1970, three exhibition halls and the Sports Palace were completed. The first event to be staged at the new facilities was the Femina family fair, held in September 1970. Three months later, on Thursday 15th January 1971, the Ahoy was officially opened by HRH Prince Claus (1926-2002). Audience capacity of the arena was set at 10,000 spectators and the complex's impressive design by architects Van der Stoep and Groosman garnered a number of international awards for the special steel structures used in the arena's construction.

Since the Ahoy's auspicious opening, it has been the venue for the 1975 European Final of the BBC / Transworld Sport programme Superstars (hosted by British Jeux Sans Frontières presenter, David Vine (1935-2009)), the 2007 Junior Eurovision Song Contest and has played host to ATP World Tennis Tour and International Dog Show events for many years. It is also popular as a concert venue and has seen the likes of Elton John, Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Alanis Morissette, Rush, Shakira and the popular Dutch singer Lee Towers play and make live concert video programmes there. The Ahoy has been expanded on a number of occasions, including major renovation in 1998 to create today's multifunctional venue.

In May 2020, the semi-finals and final of the annual Eurovision Song Contest was scheduled to have been staged at the arena, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was ultimately cancelled, for the first time in the competition’s 65-year history. The event was re-scheduled and eventually took place between the 18th and 22nd May 2021.

The Ahoy celebrated its 50th Anniversary in January 2021.

Media Attention

In the days leading up to this event, there was some doubt over whether it would be possible to stage it as planned, as the Leidsch Dagblad reported on Wednesday 27th January 1971:

"ZESKAMP SETS BURNED - Almost all the sets and mounting materials for the NCRV game Zeskamp, which will be held on Saturday in the new Ahoyhal in Rotterdam, were lost last night in a fire in the workshop of the construction and installation company of C. Snoeij in Laren. Mr. Snoeij has always built the sets and props for the various Zeskamp broadcasts. Saturday's broadcast material was to have been collected from him today, but everything is burned, along with a number of sets and parts for other television shows. Mr. Snoeij also worked for the NOS and other broadcasters as a special effects man."

Additional Information

The qualifiers for Round 3 (Linne, Drachten, Rolde and Winschoten) were allowed to choose which Jeux Sans Frontières International Heats their teams would compete in, with Linne (as league leaders) getting the first choice.

The teams of Zoetermeer and Doetinchem were allocated their International Heats after the Round 3 qualifiers had chosen their preferred heats.

The Sportpaleis 'Ahoy' venue for this heat was utilised for the Dutch International Heat later in the year and would become the first summer Jeux Sans Frontières competition to be staged indoors. It was not on the original list of venues for Zeskamp 1970-1971, the initial announcements suggesting that the 30th January 1971 heat was to be staged at the Groenoordhal in Leiden.

In many ways, at least in terms of the destination of the 1970-1971 Zeskamp Winners' Trophy, the forthcoming Round 3 was a dead rubber. The team from Linne had already guaranteed the trophy after the end of Round 2, with two Round 3 4th places being all they would need, regardless of what their rivals might achieve. They were also guaranteed a place in the Super Final, to be played at Leiden on 24th April 1971. One of the other three teams would join them, dependent on results in Round 3.

Made in Colour • This programme may exist in Dutch Archives

NL

Zeskamp 1970-1971

Round 3, Heat 1

Event Staged: Saturday 27th February 1971
Venue: Groenoordhal (Groenoord Hall), Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
Nederland 1 (NL): Saturday 27th February 1971, 8.20-9.35pm (Live)

Weather Conditions: Not applicable as event was staged indoors

Teams: Drachten v. Linne v.
Rolde v. Winschoten

Team Members included:
Drachten - Wim Ensing (Co-Team Coach), Jan Valkenburg (Co-Team Coach), Henk de Boer (Team 'Thinker'), Chris Rota (Team Captain, non-playing), Elisabeth Bergsma, Sytske de Boer, Gaitzen Debreczeny, Kanne Debreczeny, Jan Dolstra, Ruurd Ettema, Chris Jaasma, Chris de Jong, Errit Klaver, Harm Kooiker, Janneke Korthof, Peter van Leeningen, Fokje van der Meer, Truida Seinstra, Froukje van de Veen, Aaltje Veenstra, Frans van der Vinne;
Linne - Sjef Simons (Team Manager), Andreas Suntjens (Team Coach), H. Th. Dalemans (Team 'Thinker'), Harrie Beurskens (Team Captain);
Rolde - Gosse Berga (Team Manager), Fré Bos (Co-Team Coach), Roelof Brands (Co-Team Coach), M. Klaver (Team 'Thinker'), Frits Busscher (Team Captain, non-playing / Co-Team Coach), Henk Beijering, Lens Beijering, Annie Berends, Paul Bitter, Harry Dijkstra, Alberta H. Hadders, Peter Heidinga, Henk Komduur, Geesje Ottens, Henk Prins, Arie Regien, Klaas Regien, Albert Reinders, Ika Smit, Aafje Strijker, Geesje Ubels, Boele de Vries, Grietje de Vries;
Winschoten - Bauwie Huiting (Team Manager), Andries Lieven (Team Physio), W.C. Stoppe Lenburg (Team 'Thinker'), Gerke de Jong (Team Captain, non-playing), Fenneke de Boer, Dinie Buurman, Dick Garst, Henk Haan, Hemmo Lich, Rikus Nanninga, H. Nieboer, Jan Paap, Roel Ploeger, Jan Verbeek.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

League Aggregate

1st
2nd
3rd
4th

 D • Drachten ●
 W • Winschoten
 L • Linne
 R • Rolde

19
18
16
15

28

24

33

25

The Host Town

Leiden, Zuid-Holland

Previously visited in Round 2, Heat 1.

The Visiting Towns

All teams had previously competed at this location and venue in Round 2, Heat 1.

The Venue

Groenoordhal

Previously visited in Round 2, Heat 1.

Team Personnel

After a major disagreement with Rolde team manager Gosse Berga on 15th March 1971, team captain and co-team coach Frits Busscher resigned and had the team’s training equipment that he had supplied removed from the practice hall. Berga explained to the local press that, after consultation with the team and the organising committee, they had hastily appointed Fré Bos as the new Team Captain. He further revealed the background to the disagreement between Busscher and himself. The cause had been the distribution of the access tickets we had for the next Zeskamp competition in the Groningen Martinihal on 27th March: “When Busscher came to ask me for a lot of tickets, I told him that I just didn’t have anywhere near as many as he wanted. Then he got mad. He shouted, “Rolde can go to hell and this is the last thing I do for Zeskamp!” By the time the team competed in Jeux Sans Frontières in August, Fré Bos was back in the role of Team Coach and Roelof Brands had been given the role of Team Captain.

Additional Information

With their victory in this first heat of Round 3, Drachten had all but confirmed their qualification for the Zeskamp Super Final to be held in Leiden on 24th April 1971. There was still the possibility of a tie with Rolde if Drachten were to finish 4th in Round 3, Heat 2 and Rolde won it.

There were reports of two injuries sustained during the course of the recording of this Zeskamp programme at Groenoordhal in Leiden. The first was an 18-year-old male from Voorschoten, who fell from the stands. He broke his right ankle and had to be taken by ambulance to the University Hospital. The other injury was to a female competitor, a 16-year-old from the Drachten team, who hit her head against the bottom of the pool whilst diving into the water. She suffered a concussion and had to be withdrawn from the event.

Made in Colour • This programme may exist in Dutch Archives

NL

Zeskamp 1970-1971

Round 3, Heat 2

Event Staged: Saturday 27th March 1971
Venue: Martinihal (Martini Hall), Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
Nederland 1 (NL): Saturday 27th March 1971, 8.21-9.35pm (Live)

Weather Conditions: Not applicable as event was staged indoors

Teams: Drachten v. Linne v.
Rolde v. Winschoten

Team Members included:
Drachten - Wim Ensing (Co-Team Coach), Jan Valkenburg (Co-Team Coach), Henk de Boer (Team 'Thinker'), Chris Rota (Team Captain, non-playing), Elisabeth Bergsma, Sytske de Boer, Gaitzen Debreczeny, Kanne Debreczeny, Jan Dolstra, Ruurd Ettema, Chris Jaasma, Chris de Jong, Errit Klaver, Harm Kooiker, Janneke Korthof, Peter van Leeningen, Fokje van der Meer, Truida Seinstra, Froukje van de Veen, Aaltje Veenstra, Frans van der Vinne;
Linne - Sjef Simons (Team Manager), Andreas Suntjens (Team Coach), H. Th. Dalemans (Team 'Thinker'), Harrie Beurskens (Team Captain);
Rolde - Gosse Berga (Team Manager), Fré Bos (Co-Team Coach), M. Klaver (Team 'Thinker'), Roelof Brands (Team Captain, non-playing / Co-Team Coach), Henk Beijering, Lens Beijering, Annie Berends, Paul Bitter, Harry Dijkstra, Alberta H. Hadders, Peter Heidinga, Henk Komduur, Geesje Ottens, Henk Prins, Arie Regien, Klaas Regien, Albert Reinders, Ika Smit, Aafje Strijker, Geesje Ubels, Boele de Vries, Grietje de Vries;
Winschoten - Bauwie Huiting (Team Manager), Andries Lieven (Team Physio), W.C. Stoppe Lenburg (Team 'Thinker'), Gerke de Jong (Team Captain, non-playing), Fenneke de Boer, Dinie Buurman, Dick Garst, Henk Haan, Hemmo Lich, Rikus Nanninga, H. Nieboer, Jan Paap, Roel Ploeger, Jan Verbeek.

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

League Aggregate

1st
2nd
3rd
4th

 D • Drachten ● ● ●
 R • Rolde ●
 W • Winschoten
 L • Linne ● ●

-
-
-
-

32

28

26

34

The Host Town

Groningen, Groningen

Groningen is the capital and largest city of its eponymous province in the north-east of the Netherlands. It has a population of just under 200,000 inhabitants and is located 51km (31½ miles) east of Leeuwarden, 85km (52¾ miles) north of Zwolle, 147km (91¼ miles) north-east of Amsterdam and 35km (21¾ miles) west of the German border.

The city was founded on the northernmost point of the Hondsrug area (a large ridge of sand on which much of the province and neighbouring Drenthe is built). Groningen was founded around AD 950 at the site of a Roman camp and has a rich history, which can clearly be seen from the old medieval buildings in the downtown area. However, the oldest document referring to Groningen's existence only dates from 1040. In the 13th century, when the city was an important trade centre, its inhabitants built a city wall to underline its authority. The city had a strong influence on the surrounding lands and made its dialect a common tongue. The most influential period of the city was the end of the 15th century, when the nearby province of Friesland was administered from Groningen. During this period (1492), the Martinitoren (Martini Tower) in the market square was built, which loomed over the city at a height of 97m (318ft 3in), making it the highest building in Europe at the time. The city's independence came to an end when it chose to join forces with the Spanish during the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) in 1594. It later switched sides, joining the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.

In 1614, the University of Groningen was founded, initially only for religious education and in the same period, the city expanded rapidly and a new city wall was built. That same wall was tested during the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672-1674), when the city was attacked fiercely by the bishop of Münster, Christoph Bernhard von Galen (1606-1678). Fortunately, the city’s wall resisted and this event, known as Gronings Ontzet (Siege of Groningen), is celebrated with music and fireworks on 28th August each year.

Groningen has been called the ‘World Cycling City’ because 57% of all journeys made within the city are by bicycle and, as is the case with most Dutch cities, it is well adapted to the high number of cyclists. A large network of bike paths make it convenient to cycle to various destinations and, within the city, the bicycle is the most popular means of transportation. Groningen's nightlife depends largely on the population of students studying at Groningen University (28,000) and the Hanze University of Applied Sciences (25,000). Its cultural scene is vibrant and remarkable for a city of its size with the Grote Markt, the Vismarkt, the Poelestraat and Peperstraat (the surrounding streets) crowded every night of the week, with most bars not closing until 5.00am!

An absolute must for any visitor to the region is an excursion to the village of Bourtange. Located in the province of Groningen, it is actually 48km (30 miles) south-east of the city centre near the German border. Although it only has a population of 430 inhabitants, thousand of tourists flock to the village each year to see the star-shaped Festung (Fort) Bourtange. It was built in 1593 during the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) when William I of Orange (1533-1584) wanted to control the only road between Germany and the city of Groningen which at the time was controlled by the Spanish. The fort was used until 1851, after which it was given up and it became a normal village. However, around 1960, living conditions in the village deteriorated to such a state that it was decided that Bourtange would be rebuilt to its former glory and today it is used as an open-air museum.

The Visiting Towns

Drachten is located 37km (23 miles) south-west of Groningen.

Linne is located 233km (145 miles) south of Groningen.

Rolde is located 26km (16 miles) south of Groningen.

Winschoten is located 32km (20 miles) east of Groningen.

The Venue

Martinihal

The venue for this heat was a large events hall known as Martinihal, located adjacent to playing fields which were part of the Stadspark sports facility.

In the late 1960s, the municipality of Groningen revealed that an exhibition complex was to be built on the edge of the Groningen City Park. The Martinihal would consist of exhibition space, meeting rooms and a restaurant. The official opening took place in 1969 and hall had a ceiling height of 30m (8ft 5¼in) in order for it to cater for exhibitions such as boat shows offering sailboats with large standing masts.

In the early 1970s, the building was extended with a multi-function hall for organizing (pop) concerts and sports competitions. The room was separated by a large open square area which could be used for car parking. The Event Hall had a capacity of about 2,500 visitors (concert) or 3,000 visitors (sports). Before the construction of the television studios in Aalsmeer, popular TV shows were frequently filmed here.

In 1978, the Martinihal Centre became a leading location in terms of conferences, meetings and exhibitions and in the early 1980s several extra rooms were built. In 1988, the name of the complex was change to Martinihal Groningen. The following year, the Martinihal was in need of renovation but this could not be financed by the Municipality of Groningen, so the Martinihal needed to find sponsors. However, there were no suitable candidates. The Martinihal was then transferred to the independent Art and Culture Department of the municipality and a new management team was appointed.

Another major renovation of the complex took place in 2000 with the former centre square being replaced by a new event and sports hall, which meets all international standards for sport. The former Event Hall was converted into the Martini Plaza Theatre and, with a capacity of 1600 seats, made it one of the five largest theatres in the Netherlands. In March 2002, the complex was officially reopened under the name Martini Plaza and later that year the complex was taken over by the Onderwijs Cultuur Sport Welzijn (OCSW) (Department of Education, Culture, Sports and Wellness).

The Martinihal became home to professional Dutch basketball club Nationale-Nederlande Donar in 1973, when Dutch company Nationale-Nederlande became the club’s first sponsor. This was to last for nine years after which the company stopped its sponsorship in 1982. Following this, the club reverted back to its original 1881 name of GBV Donar (Groninger Basketbalvereniging), and following several sponsorships between 1986 and 2009, its current name is the GasTerra Flames Groningen, following sponsorship by natural gas supply company GasTerra.

Interestingly some of the area now occupied by the Martiniplaza was host to the Dutch International in 1976.

Additional Information

Despite finishing in 4th place in this heat, Linne were confirmed as champions of the 1970-1971 season and celebrated with the Zeskamp Trophy. They and Drachten had qualified for the Super Final, in which they would face 1969-1970 winners Alphen aan den Rijn.

Made in Colour • This programme may exist in Dutch Archives

NL

Zeskamp 1970-1971

Super Final

Event Staged: Saturday 24th April 1971
Venue: Groenoordhal (Groenoord Hall), Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands

European Transmissions (Local Timings):
Nederland 1 (NL): Saturday 24th April 1971, 8.21-9.35pm (Live)

Weather Conditions: Not applicable as event was staged indoors

Teams: Alphen aan den Rijn v.
Drachten v. Linne

Team Members included:
Alphen aan den Rijn - C. Boer (Co-Team Coach), W.N. Verkerk (Co-Team Coach), S. van 't Wout (Team Physio), G. Blauw (Co-Team 'Thinker'), J.M. van Klink (Co-Team 'Thinker'), Ad van Ommen (Team Captain), Peter Britting, Jos Goedhart, Riet Heemskerk, Dini de Heij, Piet de Jong, Pinie de Jong, Juanita Kiliaan, Jim Koster, Margriet Peters-Bongers, Ria van Rietschoten, Ria Rietveld, Jan Rijvers, Marlène Spek, Kees Veenswijk, Cock Verkade, Dick Verkade;
Drachten - Wim Ensing (Co-Team Coach), Jan Valkenburg (Co-Team Coach), E. Bergsman (Co-Team 'Thinker'), Henk de Boer (Co-Team 'Thinker'), Chris Rota (Team Captain, non-playing), Elisabeth Bergsma, Sytske de Boer, Gaitzen Debreczeny, Kanne Debreczeny, Jan Dolstra, Ruurd Ettema, Chris Jaasma, Chris de Jong, Errit Klaver, Harm Kooiker, Janneke Korthof, Peter van Leeningen, Fokje van der Meer, Truida Seinstra, Froukje van de Veen, Aaltje Veenstra, Frans van der Vinne;
Linne - Sjef Simons (Team Manager), Andreas Suntjens (Team Coach), H. Th. Dalemans (Co-Team 'Thinker'), J. van de Loo (Co-Team 'Thinker'), Harrie Beurskens (Team Captain).

Game Results and Standings

Result

 Team

Points

1st
2nd
3rd

 A • Alphen aan den Rijn ● ●
 L • Linne ●

 D • Drachten ●

-
-
-

The Host Town

Leiden, Zuid-Holland

Previously visited in Round 2, Heat 1 and Round 3, Heat 1.

The Visiting Towns

Alphen aan den Rijn is a town with a population of around 150,000 inhabitants in the province of Zuid-Holland and is located 11km (7 miles) south-east of Leiden.

Drachten and Linne had previously competed at this location and venue in Round 2, Heat 1 and Round 3, Heat 1.

The Venue

Groenoordhal

Previously visited in Round 2, Heat 1 and Round 3, Heat 1.

Returning Teams and Competitors

Ad van Ommen, team captain for Alphen aan den Rijn, would participate again in the same role for the Dutch national teams at consecutive Jeux Sans Frontières Christmas specials staged in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in 1973, and Aviemore, Scotland, in 1974.

Additional Information

This Super Final pitched 1970-1971 Zeskamp Champions Linne and second place finishers Drachten against Alphen aan den Rijn, who had won Zeskamp in 1969-1970.

From photographic evidence found in Dutch newspaper Leeuwarder Courant of the time, it can be confirmed that eventual winners Alphen aan den Rijn had got off to a flying start after winning the first three games outright and were leading on the scoreboard with 9pts. Drachten, in the meantime, had finished second on two of those games and last on the other and had scored 5pts and were lying in second place. Linne had had the worst start of the three teams after finishing in last place on two of the games and in second place on the other and were lying in third place on the scoreboard with 4pts. The scoreboard also shows that two rounds of the Rode Draad (Fil Rouge) had already taken place with Drachten having scored 201cm / kg and Linne 178cm / kg of water.

It would appear that two games were altered shortly before the broadcast. The first of these involved competitors dressed as waiters, who had to slide across a balance beam in a sitting position, whereas it had been trained for and rehearsed by competitors sliding in a horizontal position on the beam. The second altered game involved the carrying of bottles on a large platter, and the change was that the female competitors playing the game had to carry these above their heads, rather than in front of them in their hands. The Linne team felt that these changes handicapped them slightly as they had practiced the games thoroughly for three weeks and had performed strongly in rehearsals. Despite this, they were reportedly very proud of their second place finish in this Super Final.

Made in Colour • This programme may exist in Dutch Archives