The Hockey Mentors teams completed a memorable multi-day indoor field hockey tour in the Netherlands, combining international competition, development and team experience. With the indoor season kicking off, this tour offered the perfect moment for Hockey Mentors to prepare and benchmark their progress. After arriving on Friday evening at Schiphol Airport, all squads checked into their hotel in Nieuwerkerk and prepared for a full weekend of tournaments and friendly matches. While the U14 Boys and the U16 teams returned home on Sunday evening, the U14 Girls remained until Monday 1 December, concluding the tour with an extended travel day.
U14 Girls – Strong Results, Awards & Continued Development
On Saturday, they also played a friendly outdoor match against HC Den Bosch U14G-1, winning 4–2. The U14 Girls enjoyed a highly successful weekend. They played their indoor tournament on Sunday, one of the top indoor tournaments in the Netherlands, where they finished second in their pool, and then defeated HBR U14G by 2–0 in their final match.
Their strong performances were rewarded with two distinctions: the Sportsmanship Award for the entire team and Best Player of the Tournament, awarded to Elise Stern. Participating in such a high-level indoor field hockey event gave the team valuable preparation for the upcoming indoor season. The team concluded their stay on Monday before flying home.
U14 Boys – Competitive Matches & Sportsmanship Award
On Saturday, the boys played a friendly against HC Den Bosch U14B-1, ending in a competitive 4–2 loss, showing steady improvement throughout the tour. The U14 Boys played their indoor tournament on Sunday, again part of one of the most competitive indoor events in the Netherlands, placing third in their pool, followed by an exciting 4–3 victory over Cartouche U14B in their final match.
Their attitude and conduct were recognised with the Sportsmanship Award, including an Indian Maharadja bag, a coaching board, hockey balls and face masks. This indoor field hockey tour allowed the boys to test their skills against some of the strongest Dutch clubs. The boys returned home on Sunday evening.
U16 Girls – Third Place & Two Strong Sunday Performances
The U16 Girls competed in their indoor tournament on Saturday, finishing third in their pool, facing Dutch teams at a top national indoor level helped them sharpen their game for the winter season. They delivered two strong performances: a convincing 6–2 win over Oranje-Rood U16G-1 in their final match. On Sunday, they put up a strong performance: a dominant 13–3 victory in a friendly against RHV Leonidas U16G-1.
They departed for home on Sunday evening after completing their fixtures.
U16 Boys – Resilience & High-Level Competition
The U16 Boys also played their indoor tournament on Saturday, securing third place in their pool, followed by a competitive final match against Victoria U16-1, which ended in a 4–2 defeat. Competing in one of the highest indoor tournaments in the Netherlands provided an ideal test ahead of the upcoming indoor period. Their Sunday program included a well-earned 3–2 win in a friendly against RHV Leonidas U16B-1.
They travelled home on Sunday evening.
A Weekend Marked by Development & International Experience
Across all age groups, the indoor field hockey tour offered a valuable mix of development, competition and international exposure. With indoor hockey season just beginning, this timing allowed Hockey Mentors to measure themselves against top-level Dutch squads while accelerating their indoor development. The tour created a memorable environment for growth both on and off the field.
We look forward to welcoming Hockey Mentors back for future international development programmes.
About the Hockey Mentors
Hockey Mentors is a UK-based development organisation founded in 2020 by Jack Childs, built around the mission to give talented players from state-schools and/or ethnic minority backgrounds the opportunity to excel in a performance environment. The concept emerged when Jack recognised the lack of tangible opportunities facing players from non-independent schools and decided to create a platform to address that.
At its core, Hockey Mentors operates through three key pillars: coaching & competition, connection, and development, structured via their High-Performance Programme, Competitions Programme and Junior International (JI) Programme. Participants gain access to high-standard fixtures, intensive training camps (both indoor and outdoor), online support and a strong peer community.
Importantly, Hockey Mentors emphasises a “performance environment”, defined as one that closely replicates a junior international setting, so that players not only improve their technical and tactical game, but are also challenged mentally, socially and culturally. The organisation proudly fosters values of altruism, truth and kindness, aiming to create a supportive and inclusive culture for young athletes who might not otherwise access elite hockey pathways.
With a distinguished coaching team, including former GB internationals and national league head-coaches and a growing network of success stories, Hockey Mentors is establishing itself as a meaningful pathway for ambitious players who seek more than just club hockey, but a development journey that shapes them as both players and individuals.
Stay tuned for results, highlights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes moments from all our international tours. Follow Holland Elite on social media for updates, photos, and upcoming tours or tournaments.
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