HALO student Mariet Luijken hunts for history with the Dutch national team

She is 22 years old, already working as a physical education teacher, and in the final phase of her studies. Fourth-year HALO student Mariet Luijken is a professional rugby player for the Dutch national team. This coming Saturday, she and the Dutch Women face a historic moment. In Amsterdam, they will play the decisive final  at the second-highest level for the European title against Spain. 

She grew up in Breda in a highly competitive team where she was often the only girl. Her talent did not go unnoticed. Through youth selections and a special elite sports school (LOOT school), she progressed to Jong Oranje (under 18) and eventually earned her place on the professional Dutch women’s team. 

Her love for rugby started at the age of six. “I used to love roughhousing in the mud and bashing into people”, she laughs. “I especially loved tackling, and that’s still one of my strengths.” 

Elite sport and studies 

Playing rugby at the highest level involves a lot of travel, international tournaments, and a demanding training schedule. Nevertheless, Mariet consciously chose not to move to a foreign professional club, as many other elite athletes do. “I really wanted to complete my internships and finish my studies properly”, she explains. “If I had gone abroad, I would have faced a significant delay in my studies. The current combination of work and studies allows me to play at this incredibly high level.” 

Thanks to her elite athlete status through NOC*NSF, she’s granted exemptions and guidance from an elite sports counselor. “Sometimes lecturers find it difficult when I’m absent for a period, but then the sports counselor steps in to mediate. At THUAS, they want to facilitate more elite athletes, and they really show that by always thinking with you.” 

The final against Spain 

At the moment, all focus is on Saturday. On that day, the Dutch team will face archrivals Spain in the final of the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship (REC) at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam. This competition represents the second-highest level in Europe. With this match, the team stands on the brink of making sporting history: winning the very first REC title in the history of Dutch women’s rugby. 

Looking ahead 

After Saturday, things will calm down for Mariet, but another adventure awaits in the autumn: the WXV tournament in Hong Kong. This is a new global competition launched by World Rugby to give women’s rugby a boost. There, the team will play against countries such as Hong Kong, Samoa, Fiji, and Spain. “Very exciting, but I’m currently in the final stage of my studies, so first I’m going all out to graduate!” 

Cheer on Mariet and the Dutch Women! 

The decisive final against Spain will be played on Saturday at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam. Mariet has one last message for her fellow students and colleagues at De Haagse: “We have the advantage of playing at home and can use all the Dutch support we can get. For everyone who’s free on Saturday: we hope you’ll come and cheer us on!” 

We wish Mariet the very best of luck!