Dekker brothers : 1st General Champion Zeeland 2024

Frederik (30) and Jan-Willem Dekker (29) form the successful combination Gebroeders Dekker from Vogelwaarde. Two brothers, both with a passion for pigeons, who found their roots in an unexpected corner: rabbit breeding. In 2004 they came into contact with Adrie de Bruijne from Sluiskil, initially because of the exchange of rabbits. But the conversation soon turned to pigeons and Adrie's enthusiasm was contagious. The brothers went to watch the arrivals and were immediately sold.

In 2005 the first canary loft, until then used for exhibitions, was converted into a real pigeon loft. Without family or acquaintances in the sport, they started completely from scratch. Their first pigeons came from Adrie de Bruijne and Roger de Schoolmeester. In 2007 a serious step was taken with 40 youngsters from Tonny de Bruijn from Philippine. Under the guidance of Tonny and with the help of Gebr. Scheele from Terneuzen, the brothers grew quickly in the sport.

From 100 to 1000 kilometers

Frederik and Jan-Willem participate in all flights, from the sprint to the heaviest long distance classics. For program play (up to ±650 km) they have 23 couples that are played on total widowhood. They also keep 20 couples of long-distance pigeons for the overnight classics (both morning and afternoon release), which are first played on widowhood and then on nest towards the marathon flights. Annually about 100 youngsters are bred and 24 breeding couples are present.

The stock structure

The basis of their colony was laid with pigeons from Tonny de Bruijn and Gebr. Scheele, whose lineage still runs through their current colony. In their search for reinforcement especially the contribution of Buck and Martijn de Kruijf became of great value. Also successful long-distance pigeons came from Maurice Noordam and Henk Zegers. In recent years further investments were made in pigeons from Gerard Koopman, especially from lines of national winners and Olympiad pigeons. The first results of this are very promising, including a 4th and 5th provincial ace Marathon pigeon and 6th national on Tarbes. They bought their progenitor through the Herbots family at an auction of Danny de Voogd's program pigeons. Son Bram has a pedigree to make your mouth water. Father is Bram ( 1st Provincial Ace Pigeon Dagfond 2007) of Hans Vos . Mother of son Bram is a grandchild of stock pigeon “Super 02” of Gebr. Scheele.

Champion mentality

An absolute highlight was experienced by the brothers in 2018, when at the age of 22 and 24 they became the youngest Total General Champions of Zeeland. Frederik and Jan-Willem experience pigeon racing as an outlet, but they do want to belong to the top. They keep each other on their toes and want to perform at every distance. Whether it is a marathon race with six pigeons on St. Vincent or with 120 youngsters on Quievrain, only one thing counts: the first prize.

They also do not shy away from international challenges: in the Derby Costa del Sol they already won a 7th prize twice in the final and an 8th ace pigeon in 2018. In 2022 and 2023 they were 6th and 9th ace pigeons overall in Milan Best Pigeon Race. In 2024 followed a 15th place in the final of the Algarve Golden Race. Frederik also holds a board position as chairman of Division 1 Zeeland'96.

Titles and achievements at the old location ( Terneuzen)

• 1st National Ace Pigeon Marathon 2021 with “De Nachtvlinder”

• 2nd National Champion Distance 2020 NPO

Top 10 Provincial (Zeeland) 2010-2021

• 1st NPORuffec 3016p.
• 1st NPO Orleans 2246p.
• 1st Prov. Gien 2688p.
• 1st Quievrain 6061p.
• 1st Peronne 8224p.
• 1st Roye 4292p.
• 1st Roye 5390p.
• 1st Chateaudun 2273p.
• 1st Pt.St.Max 2808p
• 1st Breuil le Vert 2893p
• 2th NPO Agen 998p.
• 2th NPO Issoudun 2046p.
• 2th Prov. Fontenay 9062p.
• 2th Prov. Melun 10375p.
• 2th Roye 5390p.
• 2th Arras 3602p.
• 2th Pt.St. Max 5579p.
• 2th NPO Bergerac 1396p.
• 2th NPO Montlucon 2524p.
• 2th Prov. Fontenay 3143p.
• 2th Niergnies 6562p.
• 2nd Prov. Melun 4302p
• 3rd Prov. Melun 4302p.
• 3rd Prov. Chateaudun 2273p.
• 3rd Nat. Bergerac 9010p.
• 3rd NPO St. Vincent 1082p.
• 3rd Prov. Melun 8313p.
• 3rd Prov. Meaux 7032p.
• 3rd NPO Montlucon 2306p.
• 3rd Arras 3601p.
• 3rd Pt. St. Max 4561p.
• 3rd Roye 6647p.
• 3rd Quievrain 6061p.
• 3rd Prov. Melun 10375p.
• 3rd NPO Montlucon 2524p.
• 3rd Prov. Fontenay 3143p.
• 3rd Roye 4292p.
• 4th NPO Bergerac 2035p.
• 4th Pt.St.Max. 10046p.
• 4th Pt.St.Max 5529p.
• 4th Arras 3601p.
• 4th Niergnies 6425p.
• 4th Prov. Melun 10375p.
• 4th Roye 4292p.
• 4th Prov. Fontenay 3143p.
• 4th Roye 4971p.
• 4th Prov. Orleans 2924p.
• 4th NPO Montlucon 1666p.
• 4th Peronne 5785p.
• 4th Prov. Chateaudun 3702p.
• 4th NPO La Souterraine 3007p.
• 4th Breuil le Vert 2893p.
• 4th NPO La Souterraine 2928p.
• 4th NPO Bordeaux 1130p.
• 5th NPO Bordeaux 1130p.
• 5th NPO La Souterraine 1774p.
• 5th Prov. Melun 8313p.
• 5th Prov. Chateaudun 3702p.
• 5th Roye 7278p.
• 5th Arras 3601p.
• 5th Breuil le Vert 2893p.
• 5th Niergnies 3226p.
• 5th Prov. Fontenay 2869p.
• 6th NPO Montlucon 2524p.
• 6th Prov. Gien 2688p.
• 6th Prov. Sens 6129p.
• 6th Prov. Fontenay 5629p.
• 6th Roye 4292p.
• 6th Prov. Fontenay 6455p.
• 6th Prov. Fontenay 3143p.
• 6th Prov. Orleans 1201p.
• 7th NPO Bergerac 2035p.
• 7th Nat. St. Vincent 4031p.
• 7th NPO Tarbes 1169p.
• 7th Prov. Pontoise 3700p.
• 7th Prov. Melun 3075p.
• 7th Prov. Fontenay 9062p.
• 7th NPO Vierzon 1410p.
• 7th Roye 6473p.
• 7th Quievrain 6061p.
• 7th Prov. Fontenay 3143p.
• 7th Niergnies 5386p.
• 7th Prov. Fontenay 3291p.
• 8th Prov. Melun 3075p.
• 8th Prov. Gien 2688p.
• 8th Pt.St. Max 2808p.
• 8th Prov. Chateaudun 3702p.
• 8th Roye 4292p.
• 8th Melun 3089p.
• 8th Roye 7278p.
• 9th Prov. St. Vincent 851p.
• 9th Roye 5484p.
• 9th Arras 3601p.
• 9th Roye 6552p.
• 9th Prov. Melun 10375p.
• 9th Prov. Fontenay 3291p.
• 9th Prov. Meaux 4885p.
• 9th Prov. Gien 3729p.
• 9th NPO La Souterraine 2711p.
• 9th Prov. Melun 4302p.
• 10th Prov. Melun 4302p.
• 10th Prov. Fontenay 6455p.
• 10th NPO Orleans 2995p.
• 10th Prov. Gien 2688p.
• 10th Prov. Melun 5425p.
• 10th Prov. Fontenay 2471p.
• 10th Prov. Fontenay 2869p.
• 10th NPO Gien 2166p.
• 10th Prov. Chateaudun 3702p.
• 10th Niergnies 6425p.
• 10th Prov. Fontenay 3291p.
• 10th NPO Issoudun 2046p.

*in 2021 alone 29 top 10 Provincial places were achieved

New start at Vogelwaarde

In 2021 there was a break: all racers were sold because of a move to Vogelwaarde. In 2022 they started again with the young guard, followed by the first season with yearlings and old birds in 2023. The year 2024 would be the big test: could we still compete with the top? The answer came quickly and convincingly. With among others a new 1st General Championship Zeeland was proved that they are completely back.

Titles and achievements at the new venue

Rayon Midden Zeeland

• 3e  Unnominated old Vitesse
• 5e  Total old long distance
• 1e  Midfond old loft Total
• 4e ,6e ,9e  Ace Middle Distance old
• 3e  Undesignated Day Distance loft
• 1e  Undesignated Marathon loft
• 2e  Designated Marathon Hok 
• 2e  Marathon loft Total
• 2e ,4e ,7e  Ace pigeon Marathon
• 5e  undesignated loft
• 5e  Designated young loft 
• 4e  Total Races young loft
• 9e  Undesignated Middle Distance young loft
• 5e  Natour loft Total
• 1e  Undesignated General Breeding Champion
• 1e  Designated General Breeding Champion
• 10e  General Ace Pigeon

Zeeland Department

• 1e  Undesignated General Champion 
• 3e  General loft Total
• 6e  Undismissed speed old
• 7e  Undesignated Middle Distance loft old
• 4e  Undesignated fond loft old
• 2e  Undesignated Marathon Hok
• 4e  Designated Marathon Hok
• 4e ,5e ,10e  Ace Pigeon Marathon
• 9e  Total Speed Young Hok
•  

Top 10 provincial 2022-2024

• 2e  St Philbert 1686p.
• 2e  La Souterraine 1678p.
• 2e  Tarbes 671p.
• 2e  Pau 524p. (19th Nat.)
• 3e  Bergerac 2147p.
• 4e  Bergerac 2147p.
• 5e  Fontenay 6701p.
• 6e  La Souterraine 1678p.
• 7e  Tarbes 703p.
• 7e  Issoudun 1000p.
• 8e  Fontenay 3089p.
• 9e  Melun 2934p.
• 9e  La Souterraine 1678p.
• 9e  Chateaudun 2493p.
• 10e  Roye 7136p.

National

• 8e  unnominated loft champion Marathon

South Netherlands Federation

• 9e  and 10e  Goudencrack Marathon
• 12e  Golden Marathon Champion

Golden Pigeon

• 6e  place long distance July
• 15e  Int. heavy long distance

Some toppers of the loft

NL12-1667457 “Son Bram” progenitor

NL17-1337957 “Jazzlyn”

NL18-3827442 “Johnny Englisch”

NL19-1698122  “Mila”

NL22-2206845 “Puck”

The ambition remains undiminished. For 2025 the goal is clear: back at the front, at full war strength.
Congratulations to Frederik and Jan-Willem from the whole Herbots team!

Christophe Mathues