Your Netbal Nederland journey can start anywhere in the world

Think you need to live in the Netherlands to represent Netbal Nederland? Think again.

As Netbal Nederland continues to build its national programme, we are looking for eligible athletes wherever they are in the world. Whether you grew up in the Netherlands, have Dutch heritage, or have a connection to the country through family, there is an opportunity to be part of this journey.

Two athletes who embraced that opportunity are Tom Nelson and Claire Janssen members of the first National Pilot Programme. Both living abroad when they put their names forward for trials — and both discovered that taking the chance opened the door to something much bigger.

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“Why not give it a go?”

For Tom, netball was a relatively new sport. Born and raised in the UK with Dutch heritage through his mother from Groningen, he began playing just two and a half years ago after joining the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Men’s Netball team, having previously played basketball.

As Captain of the RAF men’s team, Tom saw the Netbal Nederland national team as an opportunity to continue developing as a player while reconnecting with his Dutch heritage.

Claire’s journey began much earlier. Born in the Netherlands, but raised in the UAE, she started playing netball at school before progressing through the UAE pathway, eventually playing in the UAE National U17s team. When she saw the announcement about the Netbal Nederlnd pilot programme on Instagram, her decision was simple. “Why not give it a shot?”

That mindset is something both athletes believe more players should embrace.

Don’t make the decision for the selectors

Putting yourself forward for a national trial can feel daunting, especially when you are overseas and unsure how you compare to other athletes. Tom shared his doubts before applying.

“I definitely had self-doubt as to whether I was good enough to make the team,” he explained. “Having never played with or against any of the other triallists before, it was hard to gauge my ability.”

But his advice to anyone considering trialling is clear: “Don’t rule yourself out. Somebody else can make that decision, but if you never put your name in the hat and give it a shot, you’re just ruling yourself out.”

Claire shares the same belief. “The worst thing that can happen is that you don’t make it, but you’ve experienced it and can learn for next time. The best thing that can happen is you can make it.”

A high-performance environment with a family feel

Both Tom and Claire were impressed by the professionalism and ambition of the programme from the moment they arrived. The trial process included fitness testing, measurements, positional drills and match play, giving athletes the opportunity to experience the standards expected at international level.

For Tom, the quality of the coaching really stood out to him.

“The quality of the coaching has been absolutely superb. We have coaches who played internationally and coach professionally for some of the largest teams in Europe.”

Claire highlighted the balance between high standards and a supportive environment.

“It pushes you to become a better player while still feeling comfortable making mistakes as long as you learn from them.”

Despite coming from different countries and backgrounds, both athletes quickly found a strong sense of belonging within the squad.

“When I arrived, I literally knew nobody,” said Tom. “But everybody has been really welcoming.” The team’s international mix has become one of its strengths, with players bringing experiences from across the world while sharing a common connection to the Netherlands. Everybody brings their own culture to the team, but we are all there because we love the Netherlands and are proud to represent the country.”

Making history in orange

Representing the Netherlands has already created unforgettable moments for both players.

For Tom, leading the Dutch Mixed Netball Team onto court for the country’s first-ever international match was a moment he will never forget.

“Standing alongside your teammates before shaking hands with the French Captain was truly a surreal moment.”

For Claire, the emotion came before the match even began.

“One moment that was really special was the team locker room brief before the match, when we all hyped each other up with ‘Links Rechts’ by the Snollebollekes. It wasn’t just that we were becoming the first group of players to represent the Netherlands in international netball. It was that we were sharing that piece of history with such an incredible group of people.”

The opportunity is yours

Both Tom and Claire understand that joining the programme from overseas requires commitment. Travel, planning and balancing other responsibilities can be challenging, but they believe the opportunity is worth it.

“The travelling does add a substantial amount of time and stress,” Claire said. “But you get used to it and learn to use that time effectively.”

Her advice?

“Use your resources and communicate with those around you. If people know your situation, most are more than willing to help.”

For Tom, the message is even simpler: “Just register. You genuinely have nothing to lose.”

The next generation of Dutch international netballers could be anywhere in the world.

The question is: will you give yourself the opportunity?

If you are eligible to represent the Netherlands, register your interest for upcoming national trials and be part of the future of Netbal Nederland.