Five reasons to watch Dutch Girls Rugby (DGR)
Went all the way up to Galashiels to watch my niece Noortje play in the DGR Under 16 team!
In the small rugby community in the Netherlands girls just play along with the boys even up in the Under 16 age category. Rugby of course being a physical sport, this is serious challenge for these girls. A couple of years ago the “Dutch Girls Rugby” initiative was started providing the girls an opportunity to play with only girls against another all girls team. Matches were organised in the Netherlands but next step was to play abroad.
Girls Festival in Gala: Lessons from the dominant DGR
The Girls Festival in Gala brought together teams from Wales, Scotland and the Netherlands. The S.R.U. fielded an East and a West team, while the W.R.U. sent their top players from North Wales. It was set up to be a competitive day, but the Dutch Girls Rugby (DGR) swept aside all opposition. Despite the one-sided results, there was plenty to celebrate and learn from their performances. Here are my five key reasons why the DGR are worth watching—and studying:
1. Energy and enthusiasm that drive excellence
The DGR girls played with an unmatched spirit, fueled by a mindset of “this is our time to shine.” Without the boys on the pitch, they wanted to showcased their potential and proved how capable they are. That ambition turned into a relentless energy that was evident in every match.
Coaching takeaway: Encourage players to embrace opportunities to lead and prove themselves. Confidence can be a game-changer.
2. Fearless, dynamic attack
Their attacking game was a spectacle. Think French flair and heads-up rugby: attacking the space, keeping the ball alive, relentless forward momentum, and constant support from players running intelligent lines. Yes, it is high-risk, and yes, there were moments of chaos—but their ability to adapt and find solutions was remarkable.
Coaching takeaway: Teach players to take calculated risks and support each other in attack. Offloading under pressure and maintaining continuity should be key focuses in training.
3. Physicality with a purpose
These girls did not just play with skill—freed up from the boys they played with real physicality. From powerful ball carries to dominant tackles, they set a standard that the Welsh and Scottish teams struggled to match. Their physical approach was not reckless; it was controlled and effective.
Coaching takeaway: Build physical confidence in players by focusing on tackle technique, ball-carrying drills, and conditioning. When players believe in their strength, they dominate the contact area.
4. Calm and empowering coaching
The coaching team of Marcel and Mats (Femke was not in Scotland) took a refreshingly calm approach. No yelling from the sidelines, no over-coaching or joy-sticking the players—just quiet encouragement and trust in their players. It is inspiring to see the players look to the coaches and receive a simple nod from Marcel and then Mats’ short, impactful one-on-one conversations spoke volumes. Their laid-back style allowed the players to take ownership of their performance.
Coaching takeaway: Step back and let players think for themselves. Empower them to solve problems on the pitch rather than relying on constant instruction.
5. Passion, fun, and team spirit
While the DGR girls took their rugby seriously, they never lost sight of the fun. After the matches, the players came together for team photos and then broke into spontaneous dancing when the DJ played classic Hong Kong Sevens tracks. It was not long before the Scottish and Welsh teams joined in, proving that rugby is as much about camaraderie as it is about competition.
Coaching takeaway: Foster a culture where hard work and enjoyment go hand in hand. A united, passionate team is a winning team.
DGR have a Youtube channel
Related information
The DGR’s performance at the Girls Festival in Gala was not just about dominating matches—it was a masterclass in combining skill, energy, and team spirit wrapped up in a powerful coaching style. Coaches and players alike can take plenty of inspiration from these rising stars. More please! This DGR set-up is not a Rugby Netherlands initiative, I do hope this approach will continue in the National Under 18, and those coaches trust these girls to do it all!
- More on the development of an adaptive playing style on this blogpost;
- Pierre Villepreux his LPM organisation and DGR will be organising a three day camp in the Netherlands in May 2025 – makes total sense, see you there?
- Dutch Girls Rugby has a website;
- Gala and the S.R.U. hosted a well organised tournament, thanks for the effort!
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