Valkenburg Hockey Tour 2009

Redland High's recent trip to Valkenburg was a great success. The girls showed superb hockey skills and game play and had a lot of fun at the same time.

The first full day started with an early training session at the Maastricht Hockey Club. Redland High girls were split into their respective age groups and given their own coach who took them through some drills and game play. That evening the U14s travelled to a match with M.H.C. Helden, and the U13 and U15 teams played H.C. Oirschot. These first fixtures really alerted the girls as to the levels of skill and fitness, and also the assertive nature, of the Dutch hockey game.

The second day gave them a chance to explore Valkenburg before a midday coaching session which concentrated on patterns of game play and looked at making improvements from the previous night's performances. During the coaching sessions the girls showed an excellent level of focus and worked hard to make the improvements suggested. After a relaxing afternoon playing bowls, all the teams played matches at the local club V.V. Sjiborn. After a rather one sided U13 match, Redland High U14s won 2-0, producing a very determined performance with many players showing clear improvements in their decision-making and assertion in tackles. Redland High U15s also had a great match and looked on top for much of the game, though unfortunately they conceded a goal in the last minute to lose 2-1.

The last full day in Valkenburg started with a trip to an aqua park, followed by a tournament in the afternoon. Three Dutch sides played against each of our teams. The games lasted 20 minutes each way, so by the end of the tournament the girls had played for a total of 120 minutes - a gallant effort, considering how much hockey they had played in the two previous days. The U13 side showed much better team spirit and determination to work for each other during their matches. The U14 side drew two games 1-1 and won their last game 2-0, with some outstanding individual performances. The U15s won the tournament overall with victories of 4-0, 2-0 and 3-0. They demonstrated some outstanding work rate, pass selection and well taken goals. Despite being tired after the matches the Redland High girls found some more energy to end the tour with a good time at the disco!

Well done to all involved in the tour.