Athletic History

Joy’s water polo journey began at the age of seven when he joined ZV Haerlem, where he quickly developed a love for the game. His passion and talent led him to De Zijl (now ZVL-1886) in Leiden, where he played for two years in the Eredivisie U15. During this time, he helped his team win the Dutch Cup and secure fourth place at the National Championships. He also gained valuable international experience, traveling to Hungary and Serbia for training camps and competitive matches against top local teams.

At the U17 level, Joy moved to De Ham in Krommenie, playing his first year in the 1st Division before stepping up to the Eredivisie in his second season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, youth competitions were canceled, but he took the opportunity to train and play with De Ham’s Men’s Eredivisie team, gaining experience at the highest national level. He also participated in two training camps in Montenegro, where he faced strong international competition that further enhanced his game.

His journey continued at AZC Alphen aan den Rijn, where he played two seasons in the U19 1st Division while also competing with the Men’s Reserve-Eredivisie team. Currently, Joy is in his second season with Z&PC Katwijk, where he competes in 1st Division-A, focusing on team development and individual growth.

High-Performance Experience

Joy was selected for WOC training at the age of eleven and later invited to trial sessions for the Dutch Youth National Teams. While he did not make the final selection, these experiences provided him with exposure to elite-level training and competition, shaping him into the athlete he is today.

Strengths

One of Joy’s biggest strengths is his speed and swimming ability, which allows him to break open defenses and create scoring opportunities for his team. His game intelligence is another key asset. Defensively, he excels at closing gaps and maintaining structure. 

Athletic Goals

Joy is focused on improving his offense, particularly in taking more initiative when attacking and finishing under pressure. He is also working on refining his shooting technique to generate more power and accuracy in his shots. Additionally, he aims to become more physically assertive in confrontations with larger opponents, ensuring that he can hold his ground effectively in high-intensity matches. Joy’s primary goal is to continue developing as a well-rounded water polo player while competing at a high level in the U.S.