The The Netherlands they are finally in Hong Kong. Before even boarding the flight, the Dames XV had time to go to the commando camp and claimed a solid 33-0 win Scotland And to start their campaign.
With the team ambitious for much more, head coach Gareth Gilbert and his staff decided to compete in a challenging military camp provided by the Korps Commandotroepen, the Special Operations Forces of the Dutch Army.
They were in for a demanding few days that would test their commitment, mental toughness and physical endurance, while also requiring them to demonstrate adaptability, a challenge that most people would feel at least a little apprehensive about.
However, the Dutch women’s team did not shy away from the challenge, and Inger Jongerius explained what happened there and why it was essential preparation for the WXV Global Challenger Series.
“It was a special experience, just being there on site and hearing about the work they do,” explained the veteran utility forward.
“You immediately feel a lot of respect for them. The tasks were physically and mentally demanding, but they served as good preparation for the upcoming games.”
Prop Sydney de Weijer agreed with her teammate, noting how incredible and unforgettable the experience was, while also admitting how hard it pushed them.
“When we got physically tired, it really came down to our mental strength and our ability to keep going. I think some of the girls really had to dig deep and mentally fight with themselves to keep pushing forward,” the prop revealed.
“When you’re tired and under pressure, it’s easy to lose focus or make small mistakes. We had to learn to stay focused, communicate with each other and keep working together, even when things didn’t go as planned. It was definitely a challenge, but it taught us a lot about ourselves and each other.”
With Holland facing Samoa, Brazil and Fiji at the WXV Global Challenger Series, Jongerius said experiences like the Commando Camp are key to unlocking the team’s true potential in September.
“We know that a good work rate alone will not be enough. We have to keep fighting for the full 80 minutes and make sure the details are on point. It was also a valuable lesson in leadership, showing that you can only succeed if you work together as a team.”
At the same time, the FC Grenoble Amazones lock explains that the hard work put in over the past few weeks has played a key role in bringing the team together.
“Something else I took away from them is that they know each other well on a personal level as well. They know exactly who they are working with and how to use each other’s strengths to achieve the best result, but also how to support each other in areas that others find more challenging.”
As for De Weijer, she firmly believes that the experience of the commando camp and the game against Scotland A will boost the team’s chances, mainly in the way they move as a unit.
“It brought us closer as a team and taught us how important it is to work together, especially when things get tough,” she said. “We learned more about our strengths and weaknesses as a team and most importantly how we can support each other when someone is struggling.
“I think mental toughness and trusting each other is really important for WXV. This experience showed us that we can keep fighting together, even when we’re tired, under pressure or when things don’t go as planned.”
According to the 23-year-old, the experience made each player realize how strong the team is and why they are capable of achieving even greater things.
“Honestly, the whole day was a memory we will never forget. What I remember most was how we stayed in the fight as a team, even when things went wrong, or we didn’t finish something on time. We showed how relentless we can be and most importantly never give up.”
At the end of the day, Jongerius and de Weijer believe the team’s commitment exceeded expectations and will serve as a foundation for the team to continue.
The prop concluded, “Seeing us support each other when someone was struggling was special. I think those moments are what make us stronger as a team.
“We were all individually challenged, but we continued to look out for each other and push each other forward. That’s something I will definitely take with me from this experience.”
