She competed at the pre1972 Summer Olympics and the 1976 Summer Olympics in the coxed fours and finished in respectively first and in fifth place.
She won a European title in this event in 1973, won a silver medal at the 1974 World Championships and finished fifth at the 1975 World Championships.Until 1975 she competed under her maiden name Steenman, and since 1976 as van Rooijen-Steenman.