My name is Johan Hamstra and I live in Poortugaal, South of HollandIn the spring of 1967 I was born in the old Rotterdam city. This also is the place where it all started, thanks to Hamstra Senior as well as my grandfather Arie Vreugdenhil.For most of us I will be known as a writer for De Fondkrant. In my daily life I work at Koninlijke Shell pernis. Besides my daily job and my young family, pigeon racing stole my heart.

It all started because of my grandfather Vreugdenhil!!!

The Rotterdam Brabander Arie Vreugdenhil. One of the great long distance players, maybe even the best Rotterdam ever had. Grandfather Arie with one of his long distance topbirds:  "Oud Blauw" Hol 48-445605. 1st prijs St. Vincent 1951 Rotterdam, 7e Nederlandse Bond 4.463 birds en 41st National Eindhoven 9.337 birds. Results from N.P.Orgaan of march 27th. 1969; Dax 1 entry 1e National boven de rivieren with 1h and 35 minutes ahead. Dax 2 entry, stedelijk 3 and 4, National 6 and 8. Bergerac 3 entry, stedelijk 3, 4 and 7. St. Vincent 6 entry, stedelijk 1, 2, 3 and 4. Ever since a small kid I’m involved in pigeonsports. First with my father as well as with my grandfather in the old north of Rotterdam. But later on, as we moved to Hoogvliet in different combines together with my father. Alias, Tita Tovernaar, is a nickname I got this summer. I’m proud to fulfill this name that stands for a magician.

For years my dad and I played middle distance as well as one day long distance. At that time in the C.C Zuid West we were unbeatable with results like for instance St. Niklaas 5.907b. 1,2,8 etc Duffel 1.022b. 1,2,3,8 etc Strombeek 928b. 1,3,4,5,6,9,11,13 etc.We were the  regular  overall champion in this strong Combine with 400 members. At the end of this period in the 90’s almost all pigeons were sold to Eijerkamp Zutphen. After this we moved over to long distance. This proved to be a success quit fast with results like these: 3rd. Nat Cahors,12th. Nat. St. Vincent, 23rd. Nat. Dax etc. After a lot of thinking, in the mean time getting married and having children, I decided to proceed fancying on my own,  at my home adress. At my small loft I started with young birds in 1999. It’s impossible because of the small number of birds to get a championship the way I’m flying. But I prefer a good pigeon that comes early, over a championship. Despite that I succeeded to get the title of Worldchampion Long Distance 2005 at the International Internet Racing Pigeon 2005.

• 1st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Barcelona    18th nationaal   2005
• 1st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Perpignan    56th nationaal   2002
• 2st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Pau                28th nationaal   2006
• 2st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Int. Dax         60th nationaal   2003
• 2st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Narbonne     80th nationaal   2006
• 2st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Pau              191th nationaal   2007
• 3st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Pau                65th nationaal   2005
• 3st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Bordeaux     77th nationaal   2007
• 4st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Barcelona  149th nationaal   2005
• 4st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Pau              349th nationaal   2007
• 5st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    St. Vincent   77th nationaal   2005
• 5st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Narbonne  118th nationaal    2006
• 5st Fondclub Groot Rotterdam    Bordeaux   143th nationaal   2007