BACK TO HIS FIRST LOVE: Former Raider now runs handball team in native Netherlands

Moberly's Wendell Davis (50) snares a rebound in front of teammate Marcus Belcher (34) and Three Rivers players Joost Ooms (right) and Dusty Stephens (11) during their Jan. 21, 2000, Region XVI men's basketball game in Moberly. Ooms now is the general manager of HV KRAS/Volendam, a handball team in the Netherlands.

DAR file/Kyle Smith

Three Rivers College men's basketball fans remember Joost Ooms (pronounced “yoast oams” and rhymes with “toast roams”) as a talented big man who helped the Raiders win a Region XVI championship in March 2000.

However, Ooms's first love was another sport — and it's a love he has returned to since returning to his native Netherlands.

Ooms is now the general manager of HV KRAS/Volendam, a handball team in Volendam, a town located less than half an hour northeast of Amsterdam, the Netherlands' capital and largest city.

So what is handball? Some would say it looks a little like a mix of basketball and soccer. And it is very popular in Europe.

“Handball does share similarities with soccer and basketball, particularly in its fast-paced team dynamics, but it has its own distinct qualities,” Ooms said. “In Europe, especially in countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands, handball is incredibly popular because of its quick, high-energy gameplay and physical intensity.

“It’s a sport that’s easy to follow but offers deep tactical complexity, making it enjoyable for both players and fans. It has a great nickname: ‘the most American sport Americans don’t know’. The high level of competition in both domestic and international leagues also contributes to its popularity.”

Handball also is an Olympic sport, where Ooms said it is a major draw.

“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to recruit four American national team players — Christine Mansour, Aboubakar Fofana, Ariane Clerc and Alex Binderis — who played professionally at my club,” Ooms said. “And I employed Mark Ortega as head coach for a few years. I’m proud of the daily connections I maintain with the U.S. through these collaborations.”

Ooms's story begins almost half a world away — literally — in New Zealand, where he grew up and started playing rugby. But when he was 12, his family moved to the Netherlands and he was introduced to two new sports.

“I initially wanted to pursue basketball, but living in a small village without any nearby basketball clubs, I joined a local handball team instead,” Ooms said. “I quickly picked up the sport, though my love for basketball remained.”

By the time Ooms was 16, he was traveling an hour each way to play basketball. A year later, he met then-TRC assistant men's basketball coach Brian Bess at a camp in Missouri, leading to him coming to TRC for the fall semester in 1997.

After redshirting his first year at TRC, Ooms played the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons for the Raiders, helping Three Rivers go 28-3 his sophomore season and win a Region XVI title before the Raiders lost to eventual national champion Southeastern (Iowa) in the district championship contest.

From there, Ooms played two seasons at Binghamton University in New York, where he averaged six points and 5.4 rebounds per game in two seasons with the Bearcats.

Ooms describes his time playing for the then-fledgling Division I program in New York as “an incredible experience.”

“We faced top-tier teams like North Carolina, Syracuse, and other universities from the Northeastern Conference,” Ooms said. “I primarily played at the center and power forward positions, contributing in every way possible. Living on the East Coast was a new experience for me compared to the Midwest, but I was fortunate to be surrounded by great people who shared strong family values.”

Ooms earned two bachelor’s degrees at Binghamton in marketing and global management, which he said sharpened his leadership and teamwork skills and also prepared him “for a competitive professional environment.”

After Binghamton, Ooms played professional basketball in Europe before later returning to handball, where he played for three years as a defensive specialist and also became the first professional sponsor manager in the sport at HV KRAS/Volendam, which he said opened the door to a variety of management and organizational roles at the club, national and European levels.

Ooms made the move to the general manager position in January 2016. In addition, he also helped establish the Super Handball League, multiple handball schools, and founded Sport-koepel, his own sport foundation.

“We've competed at the highest levels in national and European handball, winning the league and national cup 15 times with the men's team,” Ooms said. “Currently, I'm focused on building up the women’s team too. While we’re in the top league, we’re not contenders yet, but I’m confident that in a year or two, we’ll be competing for both the league and cup championships simultaneously.”

As the general manager of HV KRAS/Volendam, Ooms oversees both the operational and strategic direction of the club.

“My responsibilities include organizing and hosting domestic and international matches, securing sponsorships and partnerships, managing the club’s finances and making impact with my teams, volunteers and colleagues,” Ooms said. “I also spearhead special projects such as fundraising, youth development initiatives, and grassroots programs.

“While my primary focus is on handball, my foundation, Sport-koepel, supports 16 other sports, including flag football and basketball. A significant part of my role involves ensuring the club’s success, not only by winning championships but also by fostering strong relationships with sponsors, personnel, stakeholders, and the community.”

Ooms, 46, is “happily married” to his wife, Hylke. The couple has three children — Wies (13), Loes (9) and Timo (9). The family resides in Limmen, a small coastal town in the Netherlands.