By Jim Dyson, Head Coach of the Netherlands wheelchair rugby league programme Wheelchair rugby league is rightly celebrated as one of rugby league’s most inclusive formats. Disabled and non-disabled athletes can play together, share the same jersey and compete for the same team. That is a remarkable strength of our sport. But inclusion should not require us to pretend that disability makes no difference. My vision for the Netherlands is clear: our duty is to create opportunities for disabled...

For Kaylee Geerlings, rugby has always been part of the family. Twenty-one years after taking up the sport, she is still discovering new challenges—and helping the Dutch Lionesses build their future is one she particularly enjoys. From Sassenheim, Kaylee balances rugby with her work at daily deals website iBOOD. Away from the pitch, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, although sport is never far from her thoughts. With both parents having played rugby, her introduction to the...

Monischa Hieroms tried plenty of sports before finding one that felt right. An introduction from a friend brought her into rugby, and a willingness to try something new later led her to the Dutch Lionesses. Born in the Netherlands, with Caribbean roots, Monischa runs a remote business helping brands with design and automation, including websites, logos and marketing. Her route into rugby was far from inevitable. “I tried many sports when I was younger and didn’t fit into most. I wanted to try...