At the end of September, the Knights and the Ravens from South Africa travelled through the Netherlands and Belgium on a Holland Elite field hockey tour. Two groups, eleven teams and 197 travellers in eight days. And it went fantastically, on and off the pitch.

The tour was organised together with Blue Runnings, an important partner of Holland Elite. Bringing two full groups to Europe in the same week is a beautiful result of that partnership.

Two Tours, One Route

The Ravens landed at Schiphol on 25 September and went straight to their first clinic at HC ‘s-Hertogenbosch. From there they travelled via Eindhoven and Antwerp to Amsterdam. The Knights arrived one day later and took the route the other way around: Amsterdam, Antwerp and Brussels, flying home from Zaventem on 3 October.

In total 144 players took part, in eleven girls and boys teams from U13 up to U19, joined by their coaches, staff and a large group of parents and supporters.

33 Matches Against 12 Clubs

Every team played three friendly matches against clubs of a similar level. Together that made 33 matches against 12 clubs:

Netherlands: AH&BC Amsterdam, AHC IJburg, AMHC FIT, HC Diemen, Hockey Geldrop, HC Kromme Rijn, MHC De Kikkers, MHC DES, HC MOP, HC Naarden and MHV Maarssen
Belgium: Royal Uccle Sport

On top of the matches, every team took part in two professional clinics with top level coaches, at HC ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Royal Victory, Royal Antwerp Hockey Club and Royal Uccle Sport.

More Than Hockey

Between the matches there was plenty of time to discover both countries. Both groups spent a day at De Efteling, played two hours of e-sports at H2O Purmerend and had lunch in Volendam. The Ravens explored Het Twiske on the Bike Ride Experience, while the Knights took a guided tour through Brussels city centre.

A highlight for the Knights came on their last evening, when they watched Belgian top level hockey live: Waterloo Ducks against Royal Uccle.

What the Coaches Said

Back home in South Africa, the coaches shared their reactions.

“Thank you to everyone! This was one amazing tour, and very well organised! Really made a lot of new friends and great memories.”

“What an awesome hockey experience and tour. Priceless memories were made, great experiences shared and loads of laughter.”

“It’s the people and those little moments that make tours special, and this was definitely one I’ll remember.”

“Memories to last a lifetime, friends that are just a phone call away.”

And more than one coach added the same thing: they are already looking forward to the tour next year.