Shot

This week, we spoke to SHOT. This is the student hockey association of Tilburg. Of course, the game is central, but very closely linked to that are two hugely important other factors: sociability and beer! You can see that in everything. Every year, fun parties, events and weekends are organised. So SHOT is the place to be if you love the game and also like to drink a beer in the third half. They have something for every level, from fanatical to recreational! In addition, there are several committees in which you can develop yourself even further. Curious? Then read on!

What is Shot?

"SHOT is the student hockey club in Tilburg. With over 450 members spread over six men's teams, twelve women's teams and a training team, SHOT is the largest student sports club in Tilburg. Everyone plays hockey at SHOT, but with seventeen committees and activities and drinks almost every week, there is also plenty of room for socialising!"

What typifies Shot?

"SHOT is typified by a lot of sociability and great openness. With us, you can become as active as you want, but there is no doubt that the more active you are, the more sociable it is!"

How do you become a member of Shot and how are the teams formed?  

"The first step to becoming a member is to register yourself through our website. At the moment, we work with a waiting list at SHOT, because unfortunately we don't have enough space for everyone. If there is then a spot for you, you will be informed by our secretary. Based on your answers on the registration form, you will eventually be placed in a team that plays hockey at your level. For the first and second teams, selections are organised in the summer. Trainers and coaches decide who gets into the selection."

What typifies a member of Shot?

"A typical member of SHOT is, of course, a hockey player. On Sundays, you play a game with your team. Afterwards, SHOT'ers stand along the line with a beer in hand to cheer on other teams. Then a typical SHOT'er goes to a get-together with his or her own team and another team, only to end the evening at Olympia Sports Bar or Café Brandpunt!"

What are the informal activities like?  

"The informal activities are mostly very sociable. Every member of SHOT is welcome and, as an association, we also try to involve as many people as possible in the activities. We have different types of activities organised by different committees. We organise many different activities, so there is something for everyone. This varies from cantussen to beer bikes and from a tour of houses where SHOT'ers live to a members' weekend."

What are the highlights in a year?

"Surely the highlights in the year are the Sintercantus and the Blue Ball Tournament we organise. We celebrate the Sintercantus with Sinterklaas and Piet. These are always former members who quit the previous year. Each team is assigned another team, for which they have to write a poem. This is recited in front of the whole association and of course includes all the good times. We then end the evening with a cantus. The Blue Balls Tournament has been a household word for twenty years. With over 500 participants from all over the (student) Netherlands, this is one of the biggest tournaments of the year. You have to think about theme parties, a cantus, hockey, a lot of beer: you can't think of anything crazy or at 'BBT' it can be done."

What are the opportunities to develop yourself?

"At SHOT, we have 17 committees. As a committee member, you can develop yourself with us. Committees organise all activities with us, from Thé Dansants to an auction. We also have 'serious' committees. These committees do projects at the Move Foundation, among other things, or check the processes within SHOT."

What are the traditions and customs? 

"Within the teams there are different customs, but one thing that is common is that every team organises a date dinner. Preferably as posh as possible!"

If you had unlimited resources right now, what would you change?

"SHOT currently has a long waiting list which unfortunately means we cannot offer it to everyone who wants to play hockey. With unlimited resources, a third pitch would be very convenient for us in the future. Apart from that, we mainly want to continue everything on the same footing and stick to what SHOT stands for: hockey, sociability and beer!"

Got curious? Take a look at SHOT's site!