Sport
8 October, 2025
League fundraiser
A YOUNG man from Mareeba is hoping his community can help him to pull on a Netherlands jersey and represent his father’s heritage in a European rugby league tournament later this month.
Lachlan Van Der Vliet from Mareeba was selected in the Netherlands side after a good year playing senior footy in the Townsville and Cairns competitions, where he made his A Grade debut for the Mareeba Gladiators.
He has started a GoFundMe in the hopes of raising enough money to be able to compete.
Van Der Vliet was chosen to play in the European B Championship where his team will come up against Malta and Serbia. This is one step down from the European A Championship, where nations have the opportunity to play for World Cup qualifiers.
The games will be played in the Netherlands, with one match against Malta in Malta.“Playing in the Euro Championship would mean so much to me, just the opportunity to travel the world playing the sport I love is awesome. Especially when it’s for something like representing my family and heritage,” Van Der Vliet said.
“I have my Dutch heritage through my grandfather – my Opa. He was born in the north of Holland in Texel, one of the Dutch Islands.
“My heritage means a lot to me. Being Aboriginal I’m so proud that I can represent my mum’s side of the family, but to me it’s always been about wanting to make my father proud and do good by his last name as well. So, knowing that I can represent his heritage on his side of the family means a lot.
“I am so grateful to the game of rugby league and how far it’s taken me. With hard work and a little bit of luck, you can be a kid from Mareeba going overseas to play international rugby league, and that means so much to me.”
He said that his fundraiser was going well, with around $1,600 raised so far towards his $5,000 goal.
To help Lachlan on his journey, visit https://gofund.me/0e665d56
