Holland Hockey Tour

In August the hockey department travelled to Holland with two senior hockey teams to play matches against clubs in The Hague and Amsterdam.  

A two-hour training session followed by three matches in three days for both the teams meant a busy hockey schedule. The matches were tough but competitive and although the U18 team were beaten in all three, there was clear progression throughout the games, with the players improving individually and collectively.  The U16 team had more success, winning one match easily and suffering narrow defeats in the others and played some excellent hockey throughout.

In addition to playing hockey, the teams were able to see top women’s internationals, as the Euro Hockey championships were being played in Amsterdam.  The players and staff were in good voice supporting England v Germany and also enjoyed Holland beating Belgium.

Apart from hockey, the group packed in some of the cultural highlights of Amsterdam, taking a canal cruise, visiting the Anne Frank House and also the excellent Van Gogh museum. The packed programme was delivered without a hitch and all staff and girls returned tired but happy on 22 August in time to rest up before the start of term.

Tour Leader Mr Brooker said “Mrs Matthias, Miss Brown, and I were really pleased with the girls’ enthusiasm and commitment on tour.  The hockey was excellent and the cultural visits gave the girls a real taste of Amsterdam.  The teams will be approaching the new term well prepared for the challenges ahead”