Hockey Dreams Foundation, formerly known as the Kadish Foundation, was founded by Gijs Hardeman in April 2012. He started the organisation after setting up a half year project in Zambia on behalf of the Dutch Hockey Association. Invited by the International Olympic Committee, that project supported a hockey program at a new artificial grass pitch in Lusaka whereby local coaches introduced the sport to the community. When this project ended, Gijs decided to start a foundation which would continue with its objectives. Hockey Dreams Foundation was born.
About us
The kickoff
OUR DREAM
A brighter future...
Our dream is to work in ten different developing countries. We would like our coaches to find jobs which enable them to take care of themselves and their families. It would be amazing if the coaches could keep the organisation alive by: a) pursuing local sponsorships to finance their local projects and; b) passing on their skills to a new generation of coaches. This would complete our cycle of sustainable change. Hockey Dreams Foundation headquarters in the Netherlands would, in that case, slowly handover all major operational matters and support from the sidelines.
OUR MISSION
... through hockey ...
Hockey Dreams Foundation aims to create a better future through sport. Worldwide we stimulate the development of young coaches. These coaches – besides being a coach – also finish their school and have the opportunity to attend college. We create a healthy sport community, which enables coaches to make dreams come true, develop people personally, socially and sportive wise and keep all hockey players away from drugs and criminal activities.
OUR VISION
... for every coach ...
We are committed to provide the opportunity for a better future for every coach and his/her pupils, irrespectively origin, believe, race or nature. Our aim is to achieve this through sport and specifically through our local coaches. They are the key for our organization. They can develop personally by finishing their school, attend college and find a job as a young professional. And, they can transfer the message towards others. It is their job to create a safe sport environment where children can play and have fun.
OUR CONTRIBUTION
... in a better world.
Our mission supports the Global Goals (also known as Sustainable Development Goals) with gratitude – created by the United Nations – aiming to make the world a better and more sustainable place by 2030. As an organisation, we are focusing on these goals hoping to spread this message.

Meet our people
We are very proud of our awesome group of people involved in our foundation. So, we would like you to meet them.
Our hard working local coaches in Zambia 🇿🇲, Malawi 🇲🇼 and Uganda 🇺🇬
Gift 🇿🇲
Benjamin 🇲🇼
Conssy 🇺🇬
Ulemu 🇲🇼
Innocent 🇺🇬
Ulemu 🇲🇼
Andrew 🇿🇲
Esnarth 🇲🇼
Teddy 🇺🇬
Martha 🇿🇲
Godfrey 🇿🇲
Doreen 🇺🇬
Kelvin 🇿🇲
William 🇺🇬
Mundayi 🇿🇲
Lawrence 🇺🇬
Martin 🇺🇬
Ritah 🇿🇲
Lilian 🇲🇼
Chisomo 🇲🇼
Temwa 🇲🇼
Peter 🇿🇲
Alexander 🇲🇼
Kudakwaishe 🇲🇼
Geoffrey 🇲🇼
Beauty 🇿🇲
Richard 🇿🇲
Our enthusiastic group of extra block coaches
Joseph 🇿🇲
Stella 🇿🇲
Wilson 🇲🇼
Queen 🇿🇲
Kayla 🇲🇼
Jack 🇿🇲
Grace 🇲🇼
Geoff 🇲🇼
Our representing ambassadors
Maria Verschoor
Bjorn Kellerman
Tristan Algera
Terrance Pieters
Derck de Vilder
Our professional board of directors and advisors
Jan Willem Bredius
Claudia Makumbe
Tjarko Tadema
Hugo van Donselaar
Freek Tönis
Gijs Hardeman
Daniël Mens
Our dedicated team
Merel van Amerongen
Malou Janssen
Rogier van Putten
Sarah Hays
Marlène Döderlein de Win
Charlotte Menting
Kayleigh Schmitz
Illona Hartman
Sjoerd van der Sluijs
Ana Laura Nario
Wouter Schotman
Nicole Maarse
Publications
Newsletters
Would you like to support us in our mission?
With your help, we can keep supporting our coaches and kids. No matter how big or small the donation is.