Van der Velden signs up for two more years with Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs Women’s lock and back-row Linde van der Velden has extended her contract for another two years.

One of the founding members of the women’s squad back in 2020, van der Velden has been a near-constant feature of the Chiefs line-up ever since. Despite being regularly called up for international duty as captain of the Netherlands, the 29-year-old has racked up 77 appearances for the club.

Since scoring the club’s first-ever Allianz Premier 15s try against Gloucester-Hartpury in the opening round of the 2020/21 season, van der Velden has scored 13 more.

Assistant coach Steve Salvin said: “Linde is a vital part of our squad, on and off the field. Her no-nonsense attitude makes her a formidable player to play against but also one to rally around. Despite offers from other clubs, she has decided to stay with us, where she feels most at home, and we are delighted to have kept her Sandy Park.”

Van der Velden juggles training with a day job as an architectural assistant at construction consultancy firm, Bailey Partnership, while also working part time for Chiefs’ marketing team. Her regular video interviews with Claudia MacDonald have become a fan favourite.

She said: “I have been here from the start and cannot imagine playing anywhere else. I am proud of what we have already accomplished as a team, but I think there is so much more we can aim for and achieve as a team and club.

“Exeter Chiefs has become a home away from home because of the people in and around it. The fans have always made me feel so welcome and I would miss not seeing them every week! I am excited for next season already.”