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Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma 4
Another Change for Harm Wiersma in 2001.
During the past twenty years or so, the Royal Dutch ‘Dambond’ or
checkers federation of the Netherlands had
sponsored Harm Wiersma as coach and trainer.
However, over the years, there had evolved
some differences of opinion between Wiersma
and the KNDB concerning the role of a trainer/coach
within the field of checkers. There was also
the issue of funding for the coaching position
within the KNDB, and monies paid out for
this job came under scrutiny more frequently.
As with everything in the 21st century the
organization was trying to find ways to economize
on expenses and so the focus turned to the
position Harm Wiersma held within the auspices
of the Dutch federation.
Ultimately, Wiersma and the KNDB decided that to part ways, though whether this will be a permanent arrangement only time will tell. Firstly, all parties must come to a consensus on the new structure for a modern training program that will lead to the creation of top level mind sport champions.
Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma in Politics.
During the summer of 2001, Harm Wiersma discovered a new interest outside of the checkers arena. This became an involvement in local politics. Several new parties had formed in surrounding towns and soon the Leefbaar Leeuwarden party had been created from the group Dolstra, mother of dammer Erwin Heslinga. Leefbaar Nederland established Pim Fortuyn as foreman and Wiersma became chairman of LL. Soon Fortuyn’s ideals were recognized as somewhat apart from LL and Pim Fortuyn broke with Leefbaar Nederland and created the LPF (List Pim Fortuyn) political party. Wiersma ran for a political post for Leefbaar Netherlands as an LPF and tried for the kamerlidmaatschap, wherein the sport portfolio appealed to him with his background in mind sports. This became more than just an expression of one’s casual political beliefs; this was a serious endeavor on Wiersma’s part.
His new interest was so strong and sincere
that he consulted with the heads of the party
about running as a candidate in the election
for the sport portfolio in the Dutch House
of Representatives. Harm Wiersma consulted
with the board from the Boerenpartij or literally translated, Common Party, about becoming a candidate for the election. The current head stated that “Checker players are thinkers and he fits with us. Wiersma is not in the first ten candidates on the list, since he was nominated by our members, but has made himself a candidate, "commented BP Group Koekoek. Wiersma said that the philosophy of the Boerenpartij appealed to his own beliefs because it comes for the middle class.
In May 2002 Harm Wiersma was a Frisian who
was elected as one of the 26 members of the
LPF to the Lower House in the Dutch House
of Representatives. Wiersma held office in
Foreign Affairs dealing with the Third World
and Eastern Europe, in Sports and in Social
Affairs and Expenditures. Harm’s son,
Joeri Wiersma, who studied government management
and public administration at the Thorbecke
Academy, worked as his personal assistant
during Harm’s tenure in office.
As a result of his position in elected office, Harm Wiersma acknowledged that he would not be participating in forthcoming Netherland or European checkers championships because of the time commitment and busy schedule involved with his position as a member of parliament in the Dutch House of Representatives. He did still take the opportunity to be a guest speaker at different functions on different topics such as the nature of the mind sport called checkers.
Harm Wiersma
2002
Guest Speaker on Checkers
Huizum Jeugdamclub
(Checkers Youth Club) |
Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma
Speaker in Politics |
However, despite his desire for public service,
Harm Wiersma’s political career was troubled and short lived. He was strongly impressed with and influenced by the views of Pim Fortuyn. As an elected member of the List Pim Fortuyn party, his main concerns were the development of Eastern Europe and sports. His knowledge and experience suited his political position because the former checkers player had worked with East European companies. In fact, his business involvement with the Eastern block of countries resulted in his marriage to a Russian woman with whom he later had two daughters.
Harm Wiersma interviewed with son, Joeri,
Member of the House of Representatives,
LPF in 2002.
Unfortunately, 2003 resulted in Wiersma’s departure
from the House of Representatives because of difficulties
within his municipality of Leeuwarden and the fact that the
LPF lost some of its popularity. His past position within
government politics, combined with the fact that he was a
checkers player, led to the pun that Wiersma was a
“Dutch politician with a
checkered past.”
Since Harm was no longer in a working relationship with the KNDB,
he joined the
board of the FMJD ~ the World Checkers/Draughts
Federation and will use his skills within that
organizing body for the benefit of the International
checkers arena. However, Wiersma also moved
back into the checkers circuit and participated
in various competitions, simultaneous displays,
and demonstrations within the checkers arena.
Checkers Champions
Harm Wiersma
&
Alexander Georgiev
Singing a song at Ufa 2004 |
Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma at Valkenburg
2004
Simultaneous Play |
2005
Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma in Varazze, Italy
World Team Championship Teammates:
Rob Clerc, Kees Thijssen,
&
Alexander Baljakin
for Netherlands. |
Checkers Champions
Daniel Bof
vs
Harm Wiersma
5th in checkers tournament. |
Checkers Champions
Alexander Georgiev
vs Harm Wiersma
Russia vs Netherlands,
Varazze, Italy |
Checkers Champions
Harm Wiersma, Rob Clerc,
& Ron Heusdens
Blindfold Checkers Championship Schiedam, NL |
Dutch Championship, Culemborg 2006
Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma coaching
Kees Thijssen |
Checking out the Checkerists. |
Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma with
personal interpreter. |
Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma playing at the club. |
2007
Checkers Champion
Harm Wiersma
& Mongolian Winners
Checkers Championship September
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Checkers Champions Joeri
&
Harm Wiersma |
Checkers Champions
Harm Wiersma at
Barnsteen Tournament |
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