Athletic Background

Yfke has a unique international athletic background, having lived and competed in multiple countries, which has shaped her into a versatile and adaptable athlete. She initially played a variety of sports, including hockey, before fully committing to water polo, where she quickly excelled.

In Sweden, she achieved major success at youth and senior level, including multiple national titles and individual recognition. Highlights include winning the U18 Swedish Championship (2024), being named MVP of the U18 Championship (2023), and securing multiple gold medals across U14 and U16 levels. She also won gold at the Nordic Championship at senior level (2023) and achieved both bronze (2023) and silver (2024) in the Swedish senior competition.

During her time in the Netherlands, Yfke continued her development at a high level, finishing 5th at the Dutch National Cup and earning selection for the Dutch National Team at U16 and U18 level. She participated in elite international training environments, including camps in Spain at CAR with the Spanish national team and in Hungary with the Hungarian national team.

In the United States, she gained additional high-level experience competing in major tournaments such as Junior Olympics qualifications (3rd place), Futures Tournament, and the Junior Olympics Platinum Division. She also competed in swimming at a high level, winning multiple races and representing county-level swimming in California.

Currently competing in Spain with CNAB, Yfke plays at both U18 and senior level. She participated in the 2025 Catalan Championships with the senior team and continues to compete in top-level national competitions, while preparing for the U18 World Championships in Tenerife.

International Experience & National Team

Yfke has been part of the Dutch National Team pathway since 2023, representing the Netherlands at U15, U16, and U18 levels. She is currently preparing for the U18 World Championships, reflecting her consistent presence at the highest international youth level.

Swimming Performance

In addition to water polo, Yfke is a strong swimmer, which translates directly into her performance in the water:

•  100 yard butterfly: 55 seconds 
•  100 meter freestyle: 54 seconds 

Strengths

Yfke’s strengths lie in her combination of leadership, discipline, and game intelligence. As a captain, she brings strong communication skills and ensures team cohesion both in and out of the water. Her work ethic, motivation, and perseverance make her a reliable and consistent performer.

In the water, she stands out for her exceptional vision and ability to read the game, often anticipating plays before they develop. Offensively, she is a strong finisher with accurate and powerful shooting, complemented by precise passing. Her speed in the water allows her to create advantages in transition.

Defensively, Yfke excels at reading opponents and intercepting plays, using her awareness to create turnovers. Her communication in the water further strengthens team organization and defensive structure.

Goals

Yfke is focused on improving her one-on-one play in both attack and defense, particularly in using her body more effectively to gain position. She is also working on increasing her explosiveness in the game, aiming to complement her calm playing style with more dynamic and aggressive actions when needed.

During her time in the United States, Yfke aims to develop her confidence in game situations and further improve her one-on-one performance. She is also focused on adapting her playing style by combining the European and American approaches to water polo, becoming a more complete and versatile player.

Her long-term ambition is to compete at the highest international level, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games in 2032. Additionally, she aims to compete in World and European Championships and pursue a professional career in Spain, with the dream of playing for CN Sabadell.