This was the first Hockey tour where our girls and boys squads have toured Holland together and it proved a great success with both squads being hugely supportive of each other on and off the pitch.

Two action packed days were spent in Rotterdam training with top coaches and playing against Capelle HC and Rotterdam HC. This was interspersed with leisure time at the huge Efteling theme park where even horrible weather failed to dampen the spirits. An even bigger challenge of competing against the might of Den Bosch and Orange Rood hockey clubs which are two of the biggest clubs in Europe awaited them in Eindhoven. The sight of huge stands and clubs with 10 times more pitches and playing members than any club in England was intimidating but inspiring in equal measure. So too was the training session the boys received from the Belgium head coach; equality for the boys after the girls trained with the England head coach just before they had left. There was even a surprise bonus of the Japanese women’s team playing a game on the adjacent pitch.

Both squads benefited hugely from the trip and acquitted themselves marvellously both on and off the pitch. New friendships were made and existing ones strengthened by a common purpose and shared experiences. It was a fantastic trip which we all enjoyed hugely.