author
Willem Westra
A Dutch schoolteacher who helped shape the organized sport of Frisian handball, he is remembered for writing a lively guide to the game that blends instruction, history, and song. His work captures both the rules of play and the culture around it.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Arum in 1862 and later working as a teacher in Franeker, Willem Westra became an important figure in the world of Frisian kaatsen, or handball. He helped turn a local tradition into a more organized sport and is remembered as a leading early advocate for the game.
Westra wrote Het kaatsspel, a handbook that does more than explain how the sport is played. It also preserves historical notes and songs connected with kaatsen, making the book useful both as a practical guide and as a snapshot of Frisian sporting culture.
He died in 1923, but his name remained closely tied to the game he promoted for so many years. Today he is remembered not only as an author, but as a teacher and organizer who helped give kaatsen a lasting public life.