Brouwer accomplished her first international notable result in 1950, when she won the silver medal at the European Championships, being part of the 4×100 metres relay team alongside Fanny Blankers-Koen. She competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics in the 100 m, 200 m and 4×100 m relay, and won a silver medal in the 200 m. A third silver medal was added in 1954, when she finished second on the 100 m at the European Championships in Bern. She also was a member of the Dutch team for the 1956 Summer Olympics; however the Dutch decided to boycott the Games, and Van Duyne, who was already in Melbourne, had to go home. Disappointed, she shortly afterwards retired from competitions.