Franziska van der Pas

Franziska van der Pas, born April 8, 1998, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in women's rugby sevens. Growing up in a country where rugby competes for attention with football and field hockey, van der Pas discovered the sport at age 14 through a school introduction program. Her natural athleticism, previously channeled into athletics and field hockey, translated seamlessly to rugby's demands. Within two years, she had joined Amsterdam AAC, one of the Netherlands' premier rugby clubs, where coaches immediately recognized her explosive speed and fearless playing style.

Van der Pas's breakthrough came in 2017 when she earned selection to the Netherlands women's sevens program at just 19 years old. The Dutch women's team had been steadily improving within the Rugby Europe landscape, seeking to challenge established powers like France, England, and Ireland. Van der Pas's inclusion injected pace and finishing ability into the squad. Her ability to accelerate through gaps and outpace defenders on the wing made her an immediate try-scoring threat. In her debut season on the Rugby Europe Sevens circuit, she finished among the top try-scorers, announcing herself as a player to watch.

The condensed nature of rugby sevens suits van der Pas's skill set perfectly. With only seven players per side on a full-sized pitch, space becomes premium, and speed merchants like van der Pas can exploit defensive mismatches. Her positioning awareness and timing of support runs allow her to capitalize on opportunities created by teammates. Additionally, van der Pas developed her defensive game, becoming a reliable tackler despite not possessing the physical bulk of some opponents. Her work rate and fitness levels enable her to press opponents for the full 14-minute match duration.

In 2019, van der Pas helped the Netherlands qualify for the Rugby Europe Championship Grand Prix series, competing against traditional rugby nations. Though the Dutch team faced steep competition, individual performances like van der Pas's hat-trick against Germany demonstrated the program's rising standards. Her performances attracted attention from international scouts, and she received offers to join professional programs abroad. However, van der Pas opted to remain based in the Netherlands while competing internationally, committed to growing the sport in her home country.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted rugby globally in 2020-2021, but van der Pas used the downtime to enhance her strength and conditioning. When competition resumed, she returned in peak form, recording personal bests in sprint times and showing improved physicality in contact situations. The 2022 season saw her captain the Dutch sevens team in multiple tournaments, adding leadership responsibilities to her role as a primary attacking weapon. Her captaincy style emphasizes encouragement and leading by example rather than vocal direction.

Van der Pas has also contributed to the Dutch fifteens program, though her primary focus remains sevens rugby. The 2024 Olympic qualifying cycle represented a major goal, with the Netherlands seeking to reach the Paris Games. Though the Dutch ultimately fell short of qualification, van der Pas's performances throughout the campaign earned her recognition as one of Europe's premier sevens players outside the Six Nations countries.

Off the field, van der Pas works as a sports marketing professional, balancing her playing career with professional development. She actively promotes women's rugby through school visits and social media, using her platform to inspire young Dutch girls to try the sport. Her partnership with Dutch sporting brands has increased visibility for women's rugby in a country still developing its rugby culture.

With over 40 international caps, numerous tries, and growing leadership credentials, van der Pas continues ascending in world rugby. Her goal of leading the Netherlands to Olympic qualification remains alive for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where her experience and maturity could prove decisive.