Dwingeloo Rugby Club will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024: 'We have a place for everyone'

“No, I didn’t realize the anniversary was coming when I became president,” he laughs. “It’s great fun, of course, but it’s all about the club.”

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Dinkla (48 years old) is clearly linked to the history of the association through his father. Willem Dinkla was the founder of RC Dwingeloo in 1974. “He came from Groningen and started working here as a GP. He wanted to bring the joy of rugby here. As a GP he spoke to everyone. He advised people to play rugby. Rugby is a complete sport. You need all kinds “Athletes. A huge mix of sports. It's physical but fair. I recently visited the Rugby World Cup in France. That's where I fell in love with my sport again.”

The RC Dwingeloo Club, which currently boasts a roster of 150 enthusiastic athletes, is a private club. The red and white colors of the early days were soon replaced by the now familiar yellow and black. What has been missing for a long time in addition to sporting competition is building its own club. Initially, the club found shelter in a hut requisitioned from the municipality for a nominal sum. RC Dwingeloo now houses a beautiful clubhouse in the local sports park in Westeinde. “Completely under our management,” Dinkla says with pride. “It shows the bond that makes our club so strong.”

Stiff at the top

The men's team currently plays in the third division. Dinkla: “We are firmly at the top. There is a new generation emerging and they are going like a rocket. It is great that we remain so stable. I suppose we can celebrate the championship. This is of course great in an anniversary year!”

The club president, who grew up in rugby and played in the first team for at least 29 years, remembers well that RC Dwingelo also had a women's team. “First of all, the smell started to change in the club building,” he says, laughing. “I brought a different one Vibration In the association. Nice – good. We also have young people. The more we involve them, the more steps we can take. This is important if we want to remain at the same level in the future. As more and more substitutions are allowed, it is important to have multiple players across the board. “This is of course difficult for us in a small village.”

Djur Dinkla himself reached the senior Dutch national team through the youth teams of the Dutch national team and took a lot of knowledge with him from there. At the annual NK beach rugby game in Ameland, RC Dwingeloo became two-time Dutch champions. “There you just play seven against seven and we came out on top. Part of our anniversary is another trip to Ameland together. We go there the day before and come back the next.”

Strong collective

Dinkla points out that his predecessor Johan Hessels, who was club president for twenty years, laid a good foundation for the club. “I want to take the association one step further. Now I'm involved in everything just to get that feeling. I now see how many volunteers we have working, and people who are doing something on their own. Taking responsibility is part of me, but I don't really need to.” Stepping in when things are going well We are a strong team in good times and bad.

This year's anniversary committee also prepared the celebration itself. The official kickoff (kickoff) will be called on Saturday at 2 p.m. Former member Johan Illfeld has now won the design competition for the special anniversary logo.

After the start of the match, mutual matches will be held on Saturday between children and adults. An anniversary party will be celebrated in the evening, which is also dedicated to former members. Sponsors are also very welcome.

Dinkla: “By getting everyone involved, we hope to achieve another success on this anniversary enhances To give to the club. And of course we hope we can celebrate with the championship party!