Meet my 29 year old son, Thomas Haitsma, the dedicated goalie for the national lacrosse team of the Netherlands. Currently, he’s also that country’s only male lacrosse sports influencer on social media. As a parent, it’s been amazing to watch Thomas’ journey. Lacrosse isn’t just a sport for him; it’s a calling that he’s worked incredibly hard to pursue since his early teen years.

Growing up (and learning to play lacrosse) in several countries as his Dutch and American parents moved him around the world, Thomas brings a unique perspective and a lot of passion to the game. He’s put in countless hours of training, and has risen to represent the Netherlands on the world stage. He got to compete in the sport’s World Cup games in San Diego last year— which was a really special experience for our family.

The 2023 event was Thomas’s second Lacrosse World Cup competition, but it was an exciting first for me and for the American side of our international family. Living just two hours from San Diego, many of our American relatives and friends were able to come together to support him. Some of Thomas’s Dutch friends made the trip to California, too, creating an unforgettable gathering of his Dutch and American fans.

Watching his two cultures merge to support him with cheers was one of the most special things we’ve shared as an international family.

The Heritage of Lacrosse

Lacrosse has a long history, with deep roots in Native American culture, particularly among the Iroquois Confederacy, which includes the Mohawk, Onondaga, Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, and Tuscarora nations. The game, known as “the Creator’s Game,” dates back as far as the 12th century and was originally played through the forest from one village to another, or across vast fields — often involving hundreds of players and lasting for days. For the Iroquois and other tribes of modern-day Canada and New England, lacrosse was more than a game; it was deeply spiritual, connecting players to their communities and honoring their beliefs.

One of the unique aspects of lacrosse is the equipment it’s played with, including a stick with a net on the end that’s used to block other players, and to catch and throw the ball down the field and into a goal.

Early players crafted sticks from hickory wood, which were curved at the end to hold a handmade net, designed specifically to cradle the ball. The ball itself was traditionally made from materials like wood, leather, or even animal bones. Today it’s hard rubber, which can cause terrible bruises, though Thomas never seems to mind – especially if he used his body to successfully block the ball.

Since the 1980s, lacrosse has been growing internationally and has spread to places like the Netherlands, where passionate players like Thomas are helping establish the sport. Now, with its inclusion in the upcoming 2028 Olympics, lacrosse is gaining even more attention and sparking excitement as nations around the world prepare to compete. For Thomas, the possibility of representing the Netherlands on the Olympic stage is not only an athletic goal but also an opportunity to share the rich cultural heritage of lacrosse with a global audience.

Building Support as an Athlete and Influencer

Like many athletes today, Thomas has been sharing his journey on Instagram. But he and his girlfriend (also a lacrosse player on the Dutch women’s national team) are actually the only lacrosse players in the Netherlands with a social media presence. Thomas’s main goal for his social media channel is to be an ambassador for the sport.

Over the past three years, he has built a loyal IG following by sharing his mesmerizing workouts, the highs and lows of his training, competitions, nutrition and daily life. Recently, he’s even acquired a few sponsors. He hopes to attract more athletes to the sport in the Netherlands and Europe. A successful sports influencer presence might even be able support some of the team’s financial needs for the journey to Los Angeles in 2028.

For our family, it’s thrilling to see Thomas’s efforts to become a sports influencer start pay off. Building a social media presence hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been a great way for him to connect with others who love lacrosse, and want to see it grow. I’m so proud to see his journey inspiring others to support or start playing this amazing sport.

Be Part of the Journey!

Supporting Thomas is not just about following an athlete; it’s about being part of an exciting story. By joining him on Instagram, you’re helping him work toward his dreams and growing lacrosse in the Netherlands and beyond. Every follow brings him one step closer to new sponsorships and, hopefully, to the Olympic stage in 2028.

Follow Thomas Haitsma on Instagram and join us as we cheer him on from around the world.

Let’s talk about it:

• What is your favorite sport? What do you love about it? Are you more of a sports watcher, or a sports player?
• Think of something exciting that you or someone you know has achieved. What happened? How was it for you to be part of that journey?
• Have you ever tried to build a presence on social media? How did it go? Have you achieved any personal goals through your channel(s)?

Talking about sports, achievements, and even social media trends is a great way to expand your vocabulary and build fluency. And as an experienced coach, I make English conversation practice engaging and effective!

Join me on Italki for one-on-one conversation practice, so we can dive into these topics and others that interest you. There’s no better way to improve your speaking skills than by having real, meaningful conversations. Looking forward to chatting with you soon!