Lionesses Spotlight: Kaylee Geerlings — 21 years of rugby and an appetite for more

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 game felt almost inevitable.

“Both my parents used to play, so there was really no other choice but to take up rugby,” she says.

“It turned out to be the best choice, because I still really enjoy rugby after 21 years and get a lot of satisfaction from it!”

One sport, plenty of possibilities

Kaylee’s enthusiasm extends across several forms of rugby. Sevens, tens, Union and League all offer something she enjoys, and an invitation from a teammate introduced her to the newest addition to that list.

“A teammate asked me to give this version of rugby a go, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I really enjoy the variety between sevens, tens, Union and League!”

While the details of her first League session have faded, she remembers what made her stay: the opportunity to experience the game differently and the people alongside her.

“Being able to play yet another variation of the game I love caught my attention, and I’ve never stopped since. The girls and the staff are also really lovely people.”

Leading the team around the pitch

Kaylee plays at stand-off or loose forward for the Lionesses, taking on a playmaking role that draws on her experience as a Rugby Union fly-half.

Whichever number she wears, she enjoys the responsibility of organising those around her and helping the team make good decisions.

“I really enjoy leading the whole team and playing the right system to secure the win.”

It is a role that combines her experience with her enjoyment of the tactical side of rugby, as the Lionesses continue to develop their understanding of League.

Representing the Netherlands adds another dimension to that responsibility.

“I was born in the Netherlands, and it’s always a special feeling to represent my own country.”

Building with ambition

For Kaylee, being part of a relatively new international team offers an opportunity to help shape what comes next.

The Lionesses are still developing, but her ambitions for the side are high.

“We’re a fairly new team, and building this side—and hopefully competing at the very top of the world as soon as possible—is truly special and makes the challenge fantastic time and time again.”

That longer-term ambition starts with progress from one match to the next. Ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Scotland, Kaylee wants the team to demonstrate what they have been learning together.

“For this coming Saturday, I hope that we as a team can show that we’re really making progress and improving with every match.”

An invitation to the next Lionesses

Kaylee wants more women and girls to discover the opportunities Rugby League offers in the Netherlands. Having embraced the variety herself, she believes a growing player base can help the sport reach a wider audience.

“Do come and give League a go—it’s a new variant in the Netherlands, and with as many girls as possible taking part, we can really put this form of rugby on the map.”

“If you look at Australia, for example, it’s massive there. Hopefully we can bring that to the Netherlands too.”

After more than two decades in rugby, her enthusiasm remains strong. There is still plenty she wants to experience, contribute and enjoy.

“What a lot of people don’t know is that I’ve been playing rugby for 21 years now, and I hope to keep playing what I consider to be the most wonderful sport for many years to come.”

The Dutch Lionesses face Scotland on Saturday 17 October at Castricum Rugby Club, with kick-off at 14:00 local time.