Dutch National Ultimate Team Program (2026–2028)
Commit. Compete. Represent.
This Dutch National Team Program marks a new beginning for Dutch Ultimate.
The NFB is launching a three-year high-performance program that brings together the country’s top athletes in a structured, professional environment. The goal is simple and ambitious: develop players over time, build strong national teams, and compete at the highest international level.
The program is designed to prepare Dutch National Teams for:
[Link to the flyer attached] NTFlyerDarkOrange.pdf
What this program offers you as an athlete
This is your opportunity to train, develop, and compete at the highest level Dutch Ultimate has ever offered.
Unlike short tournament cycles or one-off selections, this program provides you with the time, structure, and support to develop into an international-level athlete. If you are ready to commit, this environment is designed to help you become your best.
Why join the National Team Program
Long-term development, not one-off selection
There are no traditional tryouts.
Athletes apply to the program, and all applications are evaluated. From this process, approximately 60 to 70 players are invited to the national team training weekends. These weekends allow coaches to assess how athletes train, compete, and progress over time. Athletes who are not initially invited are expected to improve and reapply later in the year.
Selections for the final teams will be based on:
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Commitment and professionalism
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Performance and progression
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Contribution and team fit
This approach rewards athletes who invest consistently in their development.
Train in a high-performance environment
You will train in a professional, demanding environment that reflects international standards, including:
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Multiple national team weekends each year
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Clear expectations and elite training standards
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High-intensity, game-focused preparation
You will be challenged physically, tactically, and mentally, because that is what international competition requires.
Support beyond the field
Your development goes beyond on-field reps.
The program includes:
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Guest coaches and specialist expertise
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Strength and conditioning support
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Sport psychology and mental performance tools
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Video analysis and structured film sessions
The goal is to develop complete athletes, not just skilled players.
The pathway to international championships
This program prepares the Dutch National Teams for EUC 2027 and WUC 2028.
Which divisions represent the Netherlands at major championships will be confirmed by the end of the year preceding each event, based on:
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Athlete development within the program
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Depth and quality of available talent
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Competitive potential and expected results
This flexible approach ensures the strongest possible Dutch teams take the field and that athletes who earn it get the opportunity to represent the Netherlands.
Program structure
Three-year elite pathway (2026–2028)
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Grass division national teams
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Approximately 60 to 70 selected players across divisions
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Elite national team training weekends
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Integrated performance support
Program timeline
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2026: 4 national team weekends (Mar 7–8, Apr 11–12, Oct 24–25, Nov 21–22)
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2027: 6 national team weekends, preparation tournament, EUC
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2028: 5 national team weekends, preparation tournament, WUC
Coaching, ambassadors, and culture
Coaching staff
The program is led by Rowan McDonnell, working closely with the national coaching team:
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Tim Laverty
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Igno van Hees
Additional coaching roles will be added as the program develops.
Program ambassadors
Floor Keulartz and Jette Bardoel are ambassadors of the National Team Program. They represent its values and ambition, and actively support the visibility and development of the national pathway.
National Team identity
This program introduces a renewed National Team identity, including new official uniforms.
The community will be involved through an open design contest, shaping how the Netherlands represents itself on the biggest international stages and reflecting the new direction of Dutch National Teams.
[Link to Design Contest Form]
Visibility and representation
High performance also means being visible and setting the standard for the sport.
The National Team Program is committed to actively showcasing its athletes, teams, and culture through structured communication and social media. This includes professional storytelling around training, competition, preparation, and the people behind the program.
This visibility serves two purposes.
It gives athletes a platform to represent themselves and their journey at the highest level.
It promotes Ultimate in the Netherlands from a top-sport perspective, helping inspire and attract the next generation of players.
Looking good and playing well go hand in hand with representing the sport with pride, professionalism, and spirit on and off the field.
Get involved beyond playing
The success of this program depends on more than athletes.
There are opportunities to contribute as:
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Coaching staff, will have the chance to help shape the next era of the Dutch National Team. Whether you are an experienced coach or just starting out, we would love to hear from you. We are encouraging women coaches to join the program as we continue to build a diverse and strong coaching team.
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Program Coordinator, a paid role responsible for coordinating and running the program
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Media and content creators, volunteer-based roles supporting storytelling and social media content
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Operational and event support, volunteer-based roles supporting training weekends, logistics, and execution of the program
If you want to help build a professional, sustainable national program and are interested in any of these roles or have other ideas to contribute, you are invited to get involved.
Please contact us at nationaleteams@nfbultimate.nl
Be part of the journey
This is a commitment to high performance.
This is a chance to grow over time.
This is your opportunity to represent the Netherlands at the highest level.
Applications are open.
Final application deadline: February 8th, 2026
[Link to application form]