At about 5.45am we were on the coach and then off on our trip to Duinrell. We arrived in Dover at around mid-day and caught the ferry across to Calais about an hour later. We then had another long journey through France, Belgium and finally into Holland and to Duinrell, arriving at about 9.00pm. Finally we were there, the long journey was over and were all ready to chill out!! After checking in and sorting out our chalets we rushed to get our evening meal, before it closed at 9.30pm (bit of a mad rush but we all made it!!). It was then back to the chalets to unpack and the crash out for the night as we were up mega earlier the next morning for our first tournament.

Saturday morning arrived, (too soon!!) we were all up and out having our breakfast at 7.30am, (the same place we had eaten the previous night). By 8.45am we were on our coach and off to the 5-a-side tournament at a place about twenty minutes away from Duinrell. The local club that had organised the tournament (H.V.V. Cromvliet) gave us a warm welcome and within half an hour or so we were playing our first match. Rather than go on about each match we played, I would instead just say that we all thoroughly enjoyed the day coming fifth in the whole tournament and we came away with a trophy.

Following the tournament and of course receiving our trophy, we headed back to Duinrell. This gave the lads a chance to enjoy the many facilities offered free to guests. This included all the rides and the swimming pool with some of the largest if not the largest water slides in Europe. This proved to be the most popular with the lads.

The next day we set to our next and final tournament which was just outside Amsterdam. We arrived late morning to play two local teams, only to find that every pitch was water logged. This meant that every team that arrived for the event could only play on one pitch, an Astroturf pitch. This held us up for about an hour, then we played. I have to say that the team we played were an excellent side, but as with the previous five-a-side tournament our lads found it difficult to play in the way they are used to. The less contact the better in Holland!! What we would accept as straightforward "well in" tackle, was, over there a foul. Therefore the ref.’s whistle at some if not many stages of the game was to say the least, noticeable!! This tended to cause a little frustration with some of the lads, but they still battled on. Half time came and the home team left the pitch and went into the changing rooms, we initially thought that the match was over, as we were used to a quick drink of juice, a team talk and then back on for the next half. Not in Holland, apparently most teams over there go in the changing rooms for a warm cup of tea and possibly a team chat and then back on the pitch about 15 minutes later (very civilised!!).

We started the second half and played very much as we had the first half, battling well, but still finding it tough going especially with the never ending sound of the whistle!! Mid-way through the match the organiser came over to me and explained there had been a bit of a mess up, the sports tour company that had organised the event had arranged for a another UK team from London to attend tournament that afternoon. This meant that if we played our second match the other UK team would have come all that way for nothing. So we cut short the tournament, finished our match 5-0 not a bad effort considering the team we played was the B team of a club that plays teams all over Holland.

Well we had a bit of extra time on our hands so we decided to have a brief trip round Amsterdam. We all know there are certain areas in Amsterdam that should be avoided when with any under 14’s football team!! This we achieved without any problem, we walked round, and some of us had a bite to eat. All of us taking in the beautiful architecture and more importantly the lads got to see how Amsterdam is such a multicultural city, and that everyone is accepted for who they are!!

Back to Duinrell and off the lads went to enjoy some more of the amusement park (as before, the pool was very popular) a short break for tea and then back out round the park.

The next day (Easter Monday) we all had the day off from football before leaving for home the following morning.

We left for home on Tuesday about 9.00am and after another long journey arrived back in Leyland around 11.45pm that evening. Everyone was shattered, but we all had a brilliant time.

I would definitely recommend Duinrell for any Junior Football Team trip, it has all the facilities on site. We stayed in four dungalows with accommodation for six in each. We initially booked hostels, as breakfast and evening meals are included, whereas the Dungalows are self-catering. However due to a booking error we ended up with the Dungalows. The all inclusive cost per person is just short of £200.00 we fundraised for spending money for the lads and raised just short of a £1000.00 they all had £10 per day spending money with money left for a future day trip somewhere.

Thanks to everyone who gave me fundraising ideas and to all those who took part.

Stu Bates