VAN BARNEVELD COLLABORATION UNDER SCRUTINY

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD’S collaboration with Rafael van der Vaart has come under scrutiny as the pair have not even met.

‘Barney’ recently revealed that the former Real Madrid and Tottenham midfielder wants to help him rediscover his best form. 

But despite the announcement, there has been no sit-down and no clear discussion over what that support will actually involve.

Former Olympic hockey gold medalist Ellen Hoog highlighted the issue and believes the responsibility ultimately lies with the five-time world champ. 

She told Sportnieuws.nl: “In the end, Van Barneveld really has to do it himself. He has already brought in so much support in the past. 

“They haven’t even had a conversation together yet. So we don’t really know what that help will involve. 

“He’s already delighted that Van der Vaart wants to help him. 

“That’s all very nice, but it doesn’t say anything yet about the effect. 

“I fully support Van der Vaart helping him.  

“But whether he will really get him back on the right track, I think that takes a lot.” 

Hoog questioned how Van der Vaart could truly help Van Barneveld, noting that the darts legend has never been receptive to psychological guidance. 

She added: “Van Barneveld is not open to mental coaching, so that’s not where it lies. So how is he going to help him? 

“I think darts is 80 to 90 percent mental. It’s all in the head. 

“He can go to the gym, and I encourage that, but to really become a top darts player again, it has to be right between the ears.” 

Van Barneveld returns to action on Monday afternoon at the Players Championship One in Hildesheim.

Image by Taylor Lanning.