The third Dutch Grand Prix Nines series kicks of on saturday May 7th with four teams confirmed and over 80 players signed up.
Despite losing Gouda Bearcats and Den Haag Knights two new clubs have been accepted into the competition.
For the first time the GPN series will be sponsored with the event re branded as "Nederland 3V SPORT GPN's" thanks to a three year deal with the sports clothing company based in the UK.
As well as sponsoring the domestic competition 3v SPORT will also supply all the Dutch national team wear in a three year deal negotiated by new NRLB chairman Jason Bruygoms.
A club shop will be on line once details have been finalised.
NRLB Shop
The Nederland 3V Sport GPN's look like being the most competitive yet as the four teams prepare for the season.
Capelle Spartans are the current GPN champions but their credentials will be tested this season as new boys Delft Rugby League and Te Werve Bustards are both putting strong squads together.
Reports coming from both camps are the new clubs are looking towards League as long term projects and I can confirm Delft have 24 players signed up and have been training for the last three weeks.
National coaching co ordinator Dave van Zeijst will host a joint coaching evening with the Delft club and Musketiers Nootdorp next Thursday evening.
Dave has just returned from sitting the RLEF four day coaching course at Brunel University and despite being head coach at Te werve he is keen to share his new knowledge with all the GPN sides.
Musketiers Nootdorp are the only club that are not affiliated to or share grounds with any union clubs and have established themselves as a growing club in the small village just 3 km from Delft.They now have ten local players who have played no kind of rugby and these will be complimented with some top class union players from the National champions Hilversum and 1st division club Bassets.
Following the GPN series two full 13 side games will be arranged to select a train on sqaud for two planned "international games" later in the summer.
The NRLB have decided to stick with the nines format that has proved succesful over the last two seasons but if the player base keeps growing the concept will have done what its aim was and a full 13 a side competition could be on the cards within two years.
Nederland 3V Sport GPN's 2011 fixtures
Round 1 Saturday May 7th at Delft RL
Round 2 Saturday May 14th at Musketiers Nootdorp
Round 3 Saturday May 21st at Te Werve Bustards
Round 4 Saturday May 28th at Capelle Spartans
Grand Finals Day Saturday June 4th at Rotterdam
During the series each team will play 3 round robin games on the night giving a 12 game domestic season plus the Grand Final play offs.
