Lies Van Hamme (36) is proud measurer U14 Sparks Cup: “Dare to believe in yourself”
Friday, the Klauwaarts Bassevelde grounds will be the setting for the first-ever “U14 Sparks Cup,” an elite soccer tournament for girls. With the “Sparks Cup,” U13Cup organizers want to inspire young girls and women. That now includes, with Lies Van Hamme, a meter that inspires. Lies made it from the Devils of Bassevelde to the top of Belgian women’s soccer.
The U13 Cup in Bassevelde will also have a girls’ tournament this year. With KAA Gent Ladies, KRC Genk Ladies, RSCA Women, Club YLA, OHL and SL16, the entire top six of the Super League are present. Not coincidentally, the tournament was launched on International Women’s Day and is in line with the Pro League’s goal of giving women’s soccer in our country more opportunity and taking it to the next level.
The slogan “It starts with a spark, ends with a flame” tells the whole story. Something that also Lies Van Hamme (36) ) – the brand new meter of the U14 Sparks Cup – is 100% committed to. Lies started playing soccer at the Klauwaarts in Bassevelde, played at the U13 Cup herself and later made it to the top of national women’s soccer. Thus, she played soccer for KSV Jabbeke, Club YLA as well as Waasland Beveren Sinaai Girls at the highest level in our country. Twice she also got to don the Red Flames’ jersey, and she played for years on the national futsal team. Today she defends the colors of KSCE Mariakerke and plays in the national women’s indoor soccer team with which she finished 2nd at the European Championships in Spain in November.
As a meter, she also has a special message: “Always keep believing in yourself and, above all, keep working hard. With the right attitude you can get very far, but the reverse is also true. You can have such good feet, without the right mentality you won’t get there. I am the best proof that by believing in yourself and working hard you can achieve many dreams. I am still incredibly proud every time I get to put on my soccer shoes. Putting on the national team jersey is the most beautiful feeling there is. That I still belong to the national indoor soccer selection at age 36 makes me proud. I am proud to be meter of the “U14 Sparks Cup. It’s nice to be able to share the knowledge I’ve built up over the years with younger players. The U14 Sparks Cup fits perfectly into that picture.”
