State of the Nation: Netherlands

Joel Morgan - 20/12/2011

Rugby League Planet interviewed the Nederlandse Rugby League Bond Chairman Mr Jason Bruygoms recently about the current situation of rugby league in Netherlands, its past and where it's headed.

The Dutch are relatively new pioneers for rugby league within Northwestern Europe. Rugby league has regularly being played since 2003 under the NNRLB with small domestic growth along the way. The first rugby league club match was played between Te Werve Bustards (Den Haag) and touring Essex Eels. After rugby league ceased in 2008 a new board the Nederlandse Rugby League Bond (NRLB) was entrusted to administer and grow the game in the Netherlands in 2009 with Jason Bruygoms appointed as Chairman of the NRLB.

What many may not know is the Dutch actually participated in 1989 Student Rugby League World Cup in England, against Australia, England, France, New Zealand, Wales, Ireland and Scotland - with current RLIF International Development Manager Tas Baitieri even involved with coaching sessions. It is also reported the first rugby league match in Netherlands was a preparation match for the tournament against the French Army side at the Royal Military Academy in Breda. While in the late 1980's they faced Toulouse to earn a 20 all draw.

Having played their first international against Scotland A in Sassenheim only narrowly losing 18 to 22, introducing the Rotterdam Cup in 2004 with a 24-14 loss to Scotland Students and debut 24 to 14 win against strong grassroots developers Serbia. At the height of the Dutch international success 3 wins featured in 2005 against Serbia (26-10), Scotland Presidents XIII (17-10) and 34 to 28 against traditional rivals Germany, while losing 34 to 14 away to Georgia.

In the 2006 RLWC European Zone Qualifiers Netherlands started off the campaign with a 40 to 14 loss against a strong Russia squad along with a 57 to 16 loss to Georgia, but ended with a win over Serbia at home (38 to 26). The Dutch increased their record against the Eastern Europeans with a 34 to 28 international win. Rotterdam also held the Nederlandse International Rugby League Nines Festival for visiting European teams between 2004 and 2007.

In a technical sporting landscape, rugby league could be the contact sport to create some attention within the Netherlands as Mr Bruygoms says "it is small scale but is growing in interest every year as people are looking for a new fast paced game that is also entertaining to watch." ESL coverage is also helping to increase rugby league exposure within the nation through limited Super League games via BBC 1 and BBC 2 TV coverage and highlights.

At present the NRLB are a nonprofit sports association for rugby league with their main goal "to get the game exposure and attract more people to get involved". The NRLB have a short summer season (4 rounds + Finals) with the Netherlands 3V Sports Grand Prix 9's competition for clubs Capelle Spartans, Delft Rugby League, Nootdorp Musketiers and Te Werve Bustards, while they host teams for 13-aside matches including the annual clash with Oxford University Old Boys (in the Kermis Challenge) and varying teams from the UK. Netherlands as national and developmental squads have participated in away tours in tournaments such as the Heidelberg 9's in Germany and UK based events. In recent seasons the Dutch have also participated in a Cross Border Challenge with select German clubs, National Selection matches (Select GPN vs Residents) and promotional games (combined squad vs Capelle Spartans).

At youth level this year, the Dutch staged a BARLA U17 tour against a Netherlands Tasman U17 select in July at Nootdorp and Delft, with the scores being high, however reports of players (new to rugby league) learning a lot and taking keen interest.

Like most development rugby league nations there are restrictions that the Dutch board face within early stages of development. With NRLB Chairman, Jason Bruygoms listing; funding, sponsorship support and promoting rugby league to parents who fear injuries to their children with contact sports over the vastly popular soccer as items to overcome. Whilst the obvious focus is planting the rugby league culture into Dutch soils, the NRLB are positive toward any involvement of people from rugby league strongholds that want to support their development through coaching, refereeing, playing and general support.

Bruygoms states their ambitions in the next 10 years: "would be to have a fully self-supportive domestic competition running for at least 6 months of the year and to have multiple self-standing Rugby League clubs all over the country. The national squad back on the international stage competing with the best."

A short term goal for the NRLB is to gain RLEF membership, in which they are currently working towards, but "still need to have a few fundamental things in place before becoming eligible but keep in contact (with the RLEF) and are receiving help toward training of coaches and referees for rugby league". It makes sense that rugby league in Netherlands is supported with its proximity to both the UK and France - it's now up to the NRLB to increase development and the opportunity will arise.

Rugby League fans across the world can support Rugby League in the Netherlands through purchasing Dutch (off and off-field) merchandise on the 3VSport website at - http://shop.3vsport.co.uk/product-catalogue/categories/club-shops/holland-rugby-league

Netherlands will be among many nations eligible for the Rugby League Planet International Rugby League Club grant, originally formed as a way for the members of the www.rugbyleagueplanet.com forum to not just talk about growing our great game, but get hands on and assist well deserving nations, it now has limitless potential. It's hoped that the club can at least double the grant for the 2011 -2012 period. The Rugby League Planet International Rugby League Club are always on the lookout for new members and have kept the price at the affordable level of $10 AUS per month or $120 a year. However, one off donations are always welcome. If you want to help grow rugby league and gain voting rights for the grant, Click here to join up. Email webmaster@rugbyleagueplanet.com or check out the specific forum.