Tim Visser
Encyclopedia
Tim Visser is a Dutch rugby union
player currently playing on the wing for Edinburgh Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12
and the Heineken Cup
. He is the first Dutch rugby player to play professionally.
Academy as a teenager, after having been spotted playing in the Amsterdam Sevens. Moving from the Netherlands – where he played for RC Hilversum
– to England he joined Barnard Castle School
and went on to represent England Schools at under 18 level in 2005.
, a National Division Three club.
Having signed a two year contract with Newcastle in April 2007, he started the 2007/08 season on loan with the recently relegated Northampton Saints
. Over the next season he was loaned out periodically, returning to play a bit-part role in the 1st team of the Falcons. He managed to notch up another 4 tries in 25 appearances for Newcastle.
The 2008/09 season saw Visser add another 5 tries to his tally with Newcastle in 21 appearances, but at the end of the season he chose to sign for the Magners League
outfit Edinburgh.
In his first season in the Scottish capital Visser made a big impression; top scoring in the Magners League with 10 tries, winning the Young Player of the Season Award and being named in the Magners League Dream Team. His form continued into the 2010/11 season; Visser once again became top try scorer of the Magners League with 14 tries in total.
On May 29, 2011, Tim Visser made his debut for the Barbarians
against England
. Visser scored two tries, including a last effort try which saw the Barbarians snatch away the victory from England at Twickenham
.
, but has opted not to do so in order to become eligible to play test rugby for one of the Home Nations
. IRB eligibility rules state that a player may play for the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team of the Union of the country in which he has completed thirty six consecutive months of Residence immediately preceding the time of playing. In the past, Visser has expressed desire to play for England
. In fact, on the same day he signed his contract with Edinburgh Rugby, he actually became eligible to play for England. Visser has recently stated that he now wishes to play for Scotland
, when he becomes eligible in June 2012.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player currently playing on the wing for Edinburgh Rugby in the RaboDirect Pro12
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
and the Heineken Cup
Heineken Cup
The Heineken Cup is one of two annual rugby union competitions organised by European Rugby Cup involving leading club, regional and provincial teams from the six International Rugby Board countries in Europe whose national teams compete in the Six Nations Championship: England, France, Ireland,...
. He is the first Dutch rugby player to play professionally.
Early career
He joined the Newcastle FalconsNewcastle Falcons
The Newcastle Falcons is an English rugby union team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park stadium in...
Academy as a teenager, after having been spotted playing in the Amsterdam Sevens. Moving from the Netherlands – where he played for RC Hilversum
Hilversum
is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Located in the region called "'t Gooi", it is the largest town in that area. It is surrounded by heathland, woods, meadows, lakes, and smaller villages...
– to England he joined Barnard Castle School
Barnard Castle School
Barnard Castle School , is a co-educational independent day and boarding school situated in the market town of Barnard Castle, in the North East of England. It was founded in 1883 as the North Eastern County School, with the name changed to the current one in 1924, and to this day is generally...
and went on to represent England Schools at under 18 level in 2005.
Club career
Visser made his competitive debut in the Guinness Premiership on September 8, 2006 against Worcester, coming on as a substitute and grabbing the winning try. He played a further 10 games for the Falcons in his first season, scoring 4 tries in total, before finishing the season on loan to Darlington Mowden ParkDarlington Mowden Park R.F.C.
Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C are a rugby union team in the town of Darlington, County Durham. They currently play in the National Division Three North...
, a National Division Three club.
Having signed a two year contract with Newcastle in April 2007, he started the 2007/08 season on loan with the recently relegated Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
. Over the next season he was loaned out periodically, returning to play a bit-part role in the 1st team of the Falcons. He managed to notch up another 4 tries in 25 appearances for Newcastle.
The 2008/09 season saw Visser add another 5 tries to his tally with Newcastle in 21 appearances, but at the end of the season he chose to sign for the Magners League
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
outfit Edinburgh.
In his first season in the Scottish capital Visser made a big impression; top scoring in the Magners League with 10 tries, winning the Young Player of the Season Award and being named in the Magners League Dream Team. His form continued into the 2010/11 season; Visser once again became top try scorer of the Magners League with 14 tries in total.
On May 29, 2011, Tim Visser made his debut for the Barbarians
Barbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
against England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
. Visser scored two tries, including a last effort try which saw the Barbarians snatch away the victory from England at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
.
International career eligibility
Visser is eligible to play for the Netherlands national rugby union teamNetherlands national rugby union team
The Netherlands national rugby union team are a national sporting side of the Netherlands, representing them at rugby union. The side first played in 1930.-History:...
, but has opted not to do so in order to become eligible to play test rugby for one of the Home Nations
Home Nations
Home Nations is a collective term with one of two meanings depending on the context. Politically, it means the nations of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom...
. IRB eligibility rules state that a player may play for the senior fifteen-a-side National Representative Team of the Union of the country in which he has completed thirty six consecutive months of Residence immediately preceding the time of playing. In the past, Visser has expressed desire to play for England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
. In fact, on the same day he signed his contract with Edinburgh Rugby, he actually became eligible to play for England. Visser has recently stated that he now wishes to play for Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
, when he becomes eligible in June 2012.