Hans Jacobs, Vincent Van Genechten
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“Emotional abuse is something that happened to our group,” reveals attacker Hélène Rousseaux, who is currently working in Turkey. “I am very afraid to talk about it. I’m still scared. Not just me, I think. I am glad that I now dare to do that.”
The Tigers took bronze at the European Championships in 2013, and a year later they took part in the World Cup. Then it went downhill for the national team. “We became known then, but everyone had the wrong idea of us,” said Freya Aelbrecht. “When the gymnasts came up with their open letter, we thought, yes, this is exactly what it felt like for us too. Not the physical abuse, but the emotional one. That display of power, that control, that manipulation… That’s our story. Especially that fear with which we were guided from an early age. That was not the right regime with which you can take yourself to a higher level as a top athlete and as a young adult.”
© VDB
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“It was somehow a relief to know that (the stories from the gymnastics world, ed.) to see,” says Rousseaux. “It’s a shame it’s happening, but also a relief to see it happening there. There are so many beautiful images of that European Championship bronze from 2013, that should be such a beautiful story. And yet I have such mixed feelings about it. I remember when someone came and told me to enjoy it. I wanted to do that and I forced it too, hard. I wanted to forget everything, but I just couldn’t. I was really bullied out of the coach. Step by step, something was always taken away. That even went on to convince the team that I wasn’t good enough. That was the hardest thing for me, because no one was behind me.”
According to Aelbrecht, there was “coaching with a negative resonance”. According to the center attacker, it was mainly “shouting and yelling” by the coach and staff. “It was divide and conquer by using fear towards the group,” after which she read aloud several personal attacks from her cell phone. “Are you sponsored by obesity, whore, wimpy bitches, gang of girls, goat, dumb ass, farm horse, dancing nightclub bitches…”
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Fat shaming
Valerie Courtois, the meanwhile retired sister of Red Devil Thibaut Courtois, also told her story. “The coach’s idea was that we had to be dealt with hard if we wanted to make it abroad. However, I don’t think this was always necessary. So it wasn’t always an environment where you could feel good about yourself. There was also always pressure to follow what was being said. Because if you got out, you were mortgaging your own career prospects.”
According to Aalbrecht, there was also fat shaming. “When people constantly throw at you how fat you are, with swear words… Sometimes personally, but usually just towards the team. That weighs heavily on the group. After the lost semi-final at the European Championship in 2013, we were verbally abused for two hours for the dirt on the street. Also that we are all too fat, that was so derogatory. A number of players have cried for an hour.”
“Scandalous”
Vande Broek has always been praised as an authority on coaching. As a professor, he teaches at KU Leuven, including on coaching techniques. Vande Broek was informed about the documentary about a week ago by the VRT, but did not wish to respond. Not even last night after the broadcast. “I want to take a look at whether and how I will respond to the allegations.” Vande Broek has been an advisor to the Weyts cabinet for many years.
–© BELGA
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Kris Vansnick, Vande Broek’s assistant with the Yellow Tigers, does respond. “It is scandalous how the TV program portrays Gert,” it reads. “He is regarded by many colleagues both inside and outside the sport as an authority in coaching. Making a player better is his credo, for this he will do everything – both on and off the field. He is demanding on the pitch, but at least as supportive off the pitch.”
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