About Mats:
Mats has been playing for Castricum since the age of seven. He chose to play for Castricum because his brothers also played there; he is from a family of nine children, including six boys who all play rugby. One of the highlights of his career was playing at the Hong Kong Sevens alongside four of his brothers. Mats has progressed through all the national rugby selections in the Netherlands, starting with the U15 and advancing to the national XV team. He has been involved with various selections since 1999, starting with the U18 and continuing until about 2019, which included fluctuating teams such as the U16, U17, and U20.
Professional Highlights:
- Captain Netherlands national Team (85 caps) for 5 years
- 4 Times Hong Kong Sevens
- Headcoach Castricum 1e XV
- 2 Times World Sevens Sydney
- World cup Sevens Scotland 1993
- Played for the FIRA (Rugby Europe) team in Uruguay and Argentina
Vacations are a delight for Mats, particularly to France with his daughters, although these are always influenced by rugby; he often travels to Toulouse or Lubersac for training camps. His hobbies include golfing, skiing, and mountain biking. Rugby is his greatest passion, and he is committed to imparting this enthusiasm to the next generation.