Third Form travel to Amsterdam for hockey trip

Over the half term break, the Third Form hockey squad headed to Amsterdam for five action-packed days of sport, sightseeing and team bonding.

The hockey was fantastic — travelling by Eurostar set the tone for adventure, and once in the Netherlands the boys played four competitive matches against local clubs, gaining valuable match experience and learning how to adapt to different playing styles. They also took part in a professionally led training session, which introduced new challenges and ideas to bring back to their school matches next season.

A particularly memorable moment came when the group were invited onto the pitch by two current Great Britain internationals after a Hoofdeklasse (Dutch Premier League) match. Standing on the turf where elite players compete is an experience they won’t soon forget.

The trip was also not all about the hockey. A visit to the Cheese and Clog Farm offered a brilliant slice of Dutch culture, complete with cheese making and more than a few laughs!

One of the most refreshing aspects of the tour was that the boys had no mobile phones for the entire trip. Instead of disappearing behind screens, the evenings were filled with card games, relaxed conversations, plenty of laughter and a chance to strengthen friendships.

It was a great tour which will no doubt set the boys up for a fantastic hockey season ahead.