The Netherlands Rugby League Bond hosted an afternoon of games at the Kongingsdag Sport Festival, where over 1400 children from the surrounding areas worked around a carousel of different well known Dutch sports.

Over 600 enjoyed a 20 minute rugby league coaching session led by NRLB head coach Kane Krlic and three other qualified colleagues, who and were supported by four students from Landsede, the local college.

The children played a series of mini games to teach them the core skills of the sport.

Netherlands Rugby League Bond Development Officer, Jason Bruygoms, said, “We would like to thank Mathijs van Faassen and the Harderwijk local government for inviting us to the day. It’s been fantastic to see so many children playing rugby league. The feedback we received from the players, parents and teachers has been overwhelming. We hope this is the start to something special and we are excited and committed to continue our development in Harderwijk.”

He added, “Kane has been delivering sessions in the local school and keeps mentioning to the Bond about the potential rugby league has in Harderwijk and this proves his point.”

Mathijs van Faassen Combination Function Officer for Gemeente Harderwijk commented, “It was great to have the Netherlands Rugby League Bond down for the afternoon, their support and guidance was a massive benefit.

“It’s a new sport for this area and it was pleasing to see just how much the children enjoyed it. We want to support the NRLB as much as possible in their development of rugby league in Harderwijk.”