A good deal had however been achieved in that short period and the Dutch were particularly grateful to the intensive coaching session's conducted by Tas Baitieri, Ian Harris, Phil Larder and Fred Lindop.
The Dutch students were mainly first division rugby union players but keen and enthusiastic, if a little apprehensive, about their participation in the World Cup.
The first 13-a-side club game of Rugby League was also played in 2003 with Den Haag side Te Werve hosting Essex Eels.
Their first entry into major competitions was in 2005 when the Netherlands entered the Rugby League European Nations Cup for the first time, losing to Georgia 34–14 but beating Serbia 26–10.
The Netherlands competed in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup qualifying competition alongside Russia, Georgia and Serbia.
On 8 August 2009, the Netherlands XIII including 8 players from the Nootdorp Panthers, as well as others from Gouda and Capelle, played against the Oxford University Old Boys.