The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union wants to wish Stan van den Hoven, Angus Scott-Young, and Nathan Harris all the best as they depart on new chapters in their professional and personal lives.

Van den Hoven and Scott-Young both depart the Steamers to continue their rugby careers at different clubs; Van den Hoven will play next season over in the United States for the New England Free Jacks and Scott-Young returns to Australia for Super Rugby 2022 with the Queensland Reds.

Nathan Harris, meanwhile, has announced his medical retirement from the game of rugby due to a recurring ankle injury. The players have all provided statements and want to personally thank the supporters and fans in the Bay for making their experience a special and memorable one.

Stan van den Hoven

I am going to the United States next year to play for the New England Free Jacks. I will go home

to the Netherlands on Thursday 18 Nov for 5 weeks.

I haven’t been home in two years, which is a long time away from home, so I am looking

forward to seeing my family. I will then fly to the States sometime in January.

When I first came to New Zealand 5 years ago, I played for the U19’s and was a part of the

academy.

One day being a part of the Steamers set up was always the dream. A few years later, I played

with the guys I was watching on the television, and it was pretty special.

Living in the Bay and getting to play rugby for a living - it doesn’t get much better than that.

Hopefully, I’ll come back here one day. I’ve lived here for 5 years, and it’s a pretty big part of

my life.

Angus Scott-Young

As my time in NZ draws to an end and I reflect on all that has happened across the past 4

months, I am overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude.

I would like to sincerely thank the BOPRU and the Reds for the opportunity to play across the

ditch in the NPC.

When I first arrived at Blake Park and nervously introduced myself as an Aussie battler keen on

learning all that I could, I immediately felt welcomed and respected by the playing group.

Since then, I’ve had a lot of fun playing some tough Kiwi footy, visited many incredible places

and made some friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I am so proud of this team and genuinely in awe of the strength of character shown by my peers

when faced with extreme adversity.

This experience has, without a doubt, been one of the hardest of my life for many reasons. I’ve

learned so much about myself and grown both as a rugby player and as a man.

I will forever consider myself a proud Steamer and hope to return to the Bay as soon as I can. Up the Bay!

Nathan Harris

When I grew up, I never had aspirations to be an All Black; my goal was always to be a Steamer.

I held people who played for the Steamers in high regard, so playing for the Steamers and being

from the province meant a lot for me.

A steppingstone for that was to play for Te Puke Sports. Making my debut in 2012 was an epic

occasion - I remember the coach saying that he’d never seen a player run onto the field so fast!

Moments like those are a massive part of who I am as a person and what I am today.

I’ve made the hard decision to medically retire from the game. My ankle has really struggled

after years of operations and not playing. Trouble walking, a lot of swelling, and not being able

to train and play to the best of my ability were the biggest things.

Also, looking at the bigger picture, I want to be able to run around with my kids when they get

older. It was time for me to stop playing and think about my future and family as I need another

operation.

The next steps for me - I have always wanted to be a P.E. teacher. I have two more years of study

over in Hamilton, and from there, I hope to come back to the Bay and teach in the region I grew

up in.

Article added: Friday 19 November 2021