Behind the scenes: preparing for 2026/27
Acting Director of Rugby George de Vries introduces the Technical Committee and sets out what each member is working on before the season starts.
A message to members from George de Vries, Acting Director of Rugby, on behalf of the AAC Technical Committee.
Dear AAC members,
Since the end of last season, our club has certainly not stood still. Although the first league matches are still a little way off, preparations for the 2026-2027 season are already in full swing. Behind the scenes, a great deal of work is being done to ensure that players, coaches, volunteers and the organisation are fully ready for the kick-off of the new season.
A lot has happened in recent weeks. New coaches have been appointed, international players are preparing for their move to Amsterdam, the youth organisation is being further strengthened, the match planning is taking shape and, in many other areas, we are continuing to build the future of AAC. Much of this work is not always visible to members, but it is essential if we want to start the season well prepared.
As many of you already know, Gary has decided to step down from his role as Director of Rugby, and at the request of the Board I have temporarily taken over his role until a suitable successor is found.
I do this with great enthusiasm, but certainly not alone. Especially during this important period, I am very grateful for the support of the other members of the Technical Committee, the Board and all volunteers who work hard for our club every day. Together, we are working towards one shared goal: to keep moving AAC forward, both on and off the field.
I would like to briefly reintroduce the members of the Technical Committee and their roles. The updates below give a brief impression of the work currently taking place behind the scenes. In future newsletters, the different committee members will provide more detailed updates within their own areas of responsibility.
Although each committee member has their own area of focus, we work closely together. Many topics are connected, and it is precisely this cooperation that allows us to work more professionally as a club.
The Technical Committee
Martin Slagt — Programme Manager Youth Development Mokum (RCA-AAC) and representative for youth within the Technical Committee. Together with Dave van Herwaarden, Paul Bleijenberg (Youth Board Member) and the other members of the youth committee, Martin is working on the further development of our youth programme and the continued growth of the Mokum partnership. Following his appointment as Head of Youth Development, the Board has given an important quality boost to the ambitions of our youth section. Together with Thibault Terrier, who succeeds Kenn Waring as Youth Development Officer from August onwards, Martin supports the youth coaches at both AAC and RCA.
With Kenn returning to his home country of Canada, we say goodbye to a highly valued member of our youth programme. On behalf of AAC, we would like to thank Kenn sincerely for his commitment, enthusiasm and dedication as Youth Development Officer. His work has laid an important foundation for the continued development of our youth section and the Mokum partnership. We wish him every success and happiness back in Canada.
An important part of Martin’s role is also coordinating and further developing the Mokum Rugby Schools Programme. Through this programme, we introduce more children in primary schools to rugby and strengthen the pathway into our youth section. Would you like to help as a Schools Rugby Activity Leader (Spelbegeleider)? Please get in touch with Martin.
Mike Veldhuizen — Representative for the women’s section within the Technical Committee. Preparations for the women’s squad have started. Although it has unfortunately not yet been possible to form a second women’s team for the coming season, this remains an important area of focus for the Technical Committee.
Over the summer the women are joining the senior training sessions in the Amsterdamse Bos on their own initiative, until the pitches at AAC are available again. Because a large number of players are taking part in the DXV tour to Hong Kong in September, joint preparation for the new season will begin in early September. We are currently working on arranging a warm-up match.
Behind the scenes we are also in the closing stages of talks with the intended new head coach of the women’s squad. Because of personal circumstances on his side, this process is unfortunately taking a little more time than hoped. We are confident that we can conclude these talks successfully before long, after which we will introduce the new coach to the club officially. Work is also ongoing to appoint an assistant coach and further develop the partnership with Topsport Amsterdam, so the women can start the new season with a strengthened coaching setup.
Thomas Muldoon — Representative for the men’s section within the Technical Committee. Thomas is closely involved in the preparation of the men’s squads, the planning of warm-up matches and the start of the season. Preparations are progressing according to plan and form an important basis for a strong start to the season.
Jaap Wageningen — Match Secretary. Jaap is responsible for coordinating match organisation and acts as the connecting link between AAC, Rugby Nederland, Ascrum and our own teams. He coordinates the planning of league and warm-up matches, field usage and the availability of facilities. Together with the representatives of the men’s, women’s and youth sections, he works to ensure that all teams can start the season under the best possible conditions.
Irma Lelieveld — AAC Rugby membership administration. Although Irma is not a member of the Technical Committee, she is an important supporting link within the club organisation. She manages the registration of new members and the deregistration of departing members with both AAC Rugby and Rugby Nederland. In addition, she supports the clearance process for new players from outside the Netherlands, ensuring that they can be properly registered with AAC and Rugby Nederland and become eligible to play in time.
Erik Gnade — Responsible for the recruitment, guidance and development of our referees. Without referees, there are no matches. That is why expanding and further developing our refereeing structure will remain an important focus in the coming season.
Robert Hin — Equipment management (on request). Robert supports the Technical Committee with the inventory, management and further professionalisation of our equipment organisation. His initial analysis shows that there is a lot to gain, especially in the areas of organisation, storage and management. Targeted investments in training equipment are also being considered, so players and coaches can rely on safe, high-quality materials.
Will Johnston — Player support and employment, before and during the season. Together with Cameron Jinks, Florin Niculae, Thomas Muldoon and several players, Will supports our contracted players before they arrive and throughout the season with onboarding, housing, employment, practical guidance and integration into the AAC family. The first players arrive in early August and behind the scenes a lot of work is being done to give them the best possible start, both on and off the rugby field.
The season ahead
Later this summer you will meet our new coaches, who together with their staff will guide the men’s and women’s squads. Daniel Geurs has already introduced himself in his interview, and our new players Harry White, Frankie Dunkin, Angus James and Ezrome Losefa introduce themselves in Meet the new players.
The general season schedule is now known and, behind the scenes, work is ongoing to further develop the programmes for the different teams. This requires close coordination with Rugby Nederland, Ascrum and AAC’s internal organisation to align training sessions, warm-up matches, league fixtures and available field usage as well as possible. Our Match Secretary, Jaap Wageningen, plays a central and coordinating role in this process. Once the team schedules are finalised, they will be shared directly with the players, staff members and volunteers involved.
Alongside the season preparations, we are also looking forward to the International Coaching Summit, which AAC hosts together with The Rugby Site at our own sports park on 22 and 23 August. We will welcome a number of internationally renowned coach developers to Amsterdam, and we are proud that ten AAC coaches are taking part. The knowledge, inspiration and new insights they gain will go straight back to our players, teams and youth programme this coming season.
Reading this, you can see how much work is being done behind the scenes before the first match is played. This is only possible thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, committee members, trainers, coaches, managers, parents, supporters and Board members. On behalf of the Technical Committee, I would like to thank everyone sincerely.
I look forward to seeing many of you back at our sports park in the coming weeks. Whether you are a player, coach, volunteer, parent, supporter or sponsor: together we make AAC the special club it has been for almost a century.
Here’s to a wonderful 2026-2027 season!
George Acting Director of Rugby On behalf of the AAC Rugby Technical Committee
First published in the July 2026 edition of the Try, AAC’s club newsletter.