Written by Sion G.
We were fortunate enough as a squad to have the opportunity to tour The Netherlands for eleven days. From playing a two time Olympian to experiencing the sights in the big cities, our trip was amazing.
After arriving in Cardiff for the bus at 2am, we spent the day travelling to Dover, then over the channel on the ferry. We continued the journey through France, Belgium and eventually The Netherlands where we reached our fifth country in the same day.
Time was running out and when we arrived at Etten Leur Hockey Club after travelling all day, the girls went straight into their game whilst we had the opportunity to socialise with the very welcoming opposition.
We then played our first game. We struggled to get going at first before eventually ran out 5-0 winners to get the tour off to a brilliant start.
An early wake up the next day meant a game in the early afternoon against Geel Zwart Hockey Club, where we continued our winning streak with a 4-2 victory.
The next day was a rest day for us boys so we used it to make good use of the pool and gym facilities in the hotel.
We were given the opportunity to visit the airborne museum before going onto the cinema due to the 40 degree heat. We played Oosterbeek hockey club at night and once again won, this time with a 7-0 victory.
One of the highlights of the trip the next day was visiting the Oranje-Rood hockey club where we had the opportunity to train at one of the best facilities we've ever seen!
That evening we were fortunate to play against Helmond Hockey Club where two time Olympian Bob de Voogd played. We won 3-2 in a hard fought game wish finished off our games of the tour to make it 4/4.
We visited Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Utrecht and The Hague across our trip. We went on a canal boat tour, to the beach, to the Rijksmuseum, ten pin bowling, and undertook numerous other activities which were great ways to experience some things we never would have before. At the hotel we had a quiz and did some karaoke where head coach Mike was the winner of the competition!
To play in world class facilities against some brilliant Dutch sides was invaluable experience for our team and even more so for the boys who will now be building towards next year’s European Championship’s.
Summary of the Games:
Game 1 vs Etten Leur Hockey Club
5-0 Win
Goals: Lewis I x2, Harvey D x2, Max L
Player of the match: Lloyd B
Game 2 vs Geel Zwart Hockey Club
4-2 Win
Goals: Harvey D, Lloyd B, Max L, Morgan S
Player of the match: Max L
Game 3 vs Oosterbeek Hockey Club
7-0 Win
Goals: Alex S x3, Sam R, Callum H, Lewis I, Harvey D
Player of the match: Alex S
Game 4 vs Helmond Hockey Club
3-2 Win
Goals: Alastair D, Callum H, Harvey D
Player of the match: Alastair D
Player’s player of the tour: Harvey D & Sion G
I’d like to say on behalf of the team a huge thank you to Shelley, Mike & Brett for giving us an unforgettable experience and for leading us to 4 brilliant wins on tour in The Netherlands."
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Crynodeb o’r gêmau
Gêm 1 yn erbyn Clwb Hoci Etten Leur
Ennill 5-0
Goliau: Lewis I x2, Harvey D x2, Max L
MOTM: Lloyd B
Gêm 2 yn erbyn Clwb Hoci Geel Zwart
Ennill 4-2
Goliau: Harvey D, Lloyd B, Max L, Morgan S
MOTM: Max L
Gêm 3 yn erbyn Clwb Hoci Oosterbeek
Ennill 7-0
Goliau: Alex S x3, Sam R, Callum H, Lewis I, Harvey D
MOTM: Alex S
Gêm 4 yn erbyn Clwb Hoci Helmond
Ennill 3-2
Goliau: Alastair D, Callum H, Harvey D
MOTM: Alastair D
Chwaraewr y chwaraewyr: Harvey D & Sion G
Hoffwn ddweud ar ran y tîm diolch yn fawr iawn i Shelley, Mike a Brett am roi profiad bythgofiadwy i ni a hefyd am arwain ni i ennill 4 gwaith ar y daith i’r Iseldiroedd.