Dutch-born Belgian prop Bart Vermeulen played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2026 season. He represented the NOLA Gold (2024-2025) and Old Glory DC (2026).

Bart Vermeulen represented the Belgium U18s against Japan, Canada, and Spain in 2017, the same year he moved to Ireland to study at Trinity College, where he studied between 2017-2021. During his time in Ireland, Vermeulen represented Trinity in Division 1A of the All-Ireland League and also played with the Connacht Academy while at the University of Galway between 2021-2022. Following his Masters’ Degree in Galway, He moved to the USA and trained with Old Glory DC during the 2023 season before playing with the NOLA Gold Academy in the ARP in the fall. He clearly impressed at the Gold Academy, as on 20th December 2023, the Gold announced that they had signed Vermeulen to an MLR contract for the 2024 season.

Having earned his MLR debut during the 2024 season, he began be the 2nd Belgian born player to play in Major League Rugby, following Jeremy Lenaerts. Vermeulen earned 5 MLR appeared in total for the Gold in 2024, and was confirmed as returning for 2025 by the NOLA Gold on December 17th, 2024. Vermeulen enjoyed a productive season in 2025, even though the Gold took a step backwards. He earned his first pro start, starting 4 of his 12 appearances and completing 63 tackles, all of which are career highs. Following the news in August 2025 that the NOLA Gold were withdrawing from Major League Rugby, Bart Vermeulen explored the market as a free agent and on 21st November 2025, Old Glory DC announced that they had signed him for the 2026 season.

achievements

• MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 12