Name: Feline Voordouw

Born: 13 Feb. 2004
Sports: Woman’s Water Polo
School: University of California – Berkeley

Placed: Spring 2024

A water polo talent on its way to the top

Feline Voordouw is one of the greatest water polo talents in the Netherlands. She started playing water polo at age five and quickly became a regular on the national youth circuit. With her drive, strength and perseverance, she impressed at a young age at Polar Bears Ede, a regular competitor in the Dutch highest league. In January 2024, she made the move to California Berkeley, one of the most prestigious universities in the United States, where she combines her athletic and academic dreams.

From youth team to international tournaments

Feline’s road to the top started early. At age eleven she was scouted for the Dutch youth team and not much later she was accepted into the water polo academy in Eindhoven, where she lived, studied and trained. Twice a day in the water, premier league matches at the weekend – Feline’s life at an early age was all about top-level sports.

In 2019, she made her debut at the European Championships in Russia, followed by three more European Championships and two World Championships. She has since advanced to the B-selection of the Dutch team, with the ultimate goal of breaking through to the A-selection and representing the Netherlands at the very highest level.

Spotted in Serbia, landed in California

During the World Cup in Serbia, Feline was approached by several universities. A unique opportunity to combine her top sports dream with an academic adventure. Through her high school, she came in contact with Slamstox, which helped her with the last, crucial steps of the journey.

From paperwork, visa and sports registrations to applications and flights – Slamstox took care of everything so Feline could focus on her sports and studies. By March 2023, she was already visiting the Berkeley campus, which allowed her to tie the knot with even more certainty.

A flying start in the Spring

Where most student-athletes start in August, Feline began her adventure in January 2024. Not from the Netherlands, but straight from a training internship with the team in Greece. There she joined her new teammates and flew with them to California. Right away full time, with no start-up phase – exciting, but also a unique way to become part of the team right away.

At California Berkeley, Feline found everything she was looking for: a nearly full athletic scholarship, a world-class team AND an academic environment that challenged her. With her experience and ambition, she quickly adapted to the American system.

Are you interested in playing sports and study in America just like Feline? Then schedule an introductory meeting!