Last weekend, talents gathered in Arnhem for the revival of the national team.
The junior and senior teams began laying the foundations for what is expected to be a very prosperous period within the Netherlands. Head coach Fred Armstrong assembled an impressive coaching staff, all of whom were on hand to assess the talent. Malik Jackson, former defensive coordinator of the Raiders Tyrol, defensive coach of the Leipzig Kings and current member of the coaching staff of the Berlin Rebels, was involved in overseeing the talents.
The 2021 ELF All-Star, Roedion Henrique, along with Bart Hendricks, will be in charge of the defensive backs, Dylan Bakker is in charge of the linebackers, while Shaq Peters will coach the defensive line. Brian Spapens is in charge of the tight ends and Wesley Kuils the wide receivers. Veteran Emmanuel Lewis will coach the quarterbacks, while Chantalle Huis and Geraldo Boldewijn will oversee as team manager and assistant head coach, respectively. Dutch scout Robbert Drost will also help Armstrong develop the team.
AFBN general manager Johan Oosterhuis:
"As the AFBN, we are very pleased that we are taking the right steps together with Coach Armstrong and his dedicated group of coaches. We are executing and making sustainable plans for the future. With the seniors, we will participate in the 2024/2025 European Championships, and we have our first game in the third weekend of October this year. Poland is coming to the Netherlands. In the coming days we will take the first steps on the organizational level, and we will leave the technical side to the capable hands of Coach Armstrong. For our youth, we have just started and we have a good idea of the current status of the players. We will work to get more kids involved and get them excited about our Dutch Lions trip. Lets go lions!"
Juniors
Starting with the juniors, the team shows depth in talent at various positions.Defenisive back is a point of interest for fans of the U19 international scene. The Netherlands will in all likelihood compete against local rivals Belgium and the Great Britain team in 2024. Joshua Lopes, Thayrancel Pinas and Xander Mathijse are just some of the talents that should be on the watch list of academies and teams within Europe.
Seniors
The senior team also shows some very talented players. Tight end is a potential gold mine. Robin Merjenburgh, a recent acquisition from the Cologne Centurions, was outstanding and showed the distinction, ball skills and blocking of a top European tight end. Joel Van Gelder may also be a generational player at tight end position. Jason Denneboom and Dion Henrique are two standout cornerbacks and Samuel Bhoedjang is one of the best young receivers in Europe. Players who did not participate could still be involved, as this was the first step in a big plan for Holland's growth.
Many ELF and German Football League players have Dutch nationality, which means we may be seeing the beginning of a huge increase in the reputation of the Netherlands among the European ranks.
Fred Armstrong:
"Every player on the junior and senior teams will deserve THE ORANGE. There is no greater honor in any sport than playing or coaching for your country. The players who have passion and respect are the ones we want to have at the Dutch lions."
Overall, this is the most exciting time for Dutch American football in recent years. This national team can compete in 2024 given the number of players who have committed to the system and the culture that Fred Armstrong and his team have created!
(Source: https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/earn-the-orange-the-dutch-national-team-is-officially-back/)
