The Ultimate Professionals: Netherlands Women's 7s

Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands Women’s 7s team have become the first of their kind to be awarded full professional status.

Three years ago the Dutch women’s 7s team were the first squad in the series to be given full professional status, thanks to the help of full-time coach Chris Lane – an Australian who used to coach there national team.

Last year the Dutch women had a disappointing run in the World Series which saw them finish outside of the top eight and lose their core team status, therefore, inhibiting them from qualifying for all of the tournaments this season.

However, after the Atlanta and Sao Paolo events this year the team proved that they belong in the top flight and moved up a place in the world rankings. The team are fully committed to returning to the top eight and are going to fight incredibly hard for it.

The main goal, however, as with every other sevens nation, is to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Rugby sevens will feature at the games for the first time, both men’s and women’s, with the ultimate goal being to win gold at the games.

Talking Rugby Union and partners Total Rugby went behind the scenes with the team to see what their training regimes are like now that they are fully professional and to chat to the girls about their hopes and ambitions for the future.