Our resident hockey expert Jeff Parker reflects on an autumn of hockey and in particular the dominant Dutch’s stellar display in Paris this year.
As the curtain falls on an intense and highly competitive 2024 Olympic Field Hockey Tournament in Paris, we can now take a step back and reflect on a brilliant display of Dutch dominance, reaffirming their position as the leaders in world hockey.
Both the men and women’s team secured a historic double gold, with both teams winning their respective tournaments. While the men trumped Germany in the final, over a shoot-out, so did the Dutch ladies overcome the People’s Republic of China, in a very nervous and uncharacteristic Dutch performance. A late penalty corner equalizer from the tournament’s top goal scorer, Yibbi Jansen, which took the game into shoot-outs, and we all know how that ended… Hup Hup Holland!
These results merely highlight that the European Hockey nations, such as Germany, Holland, Belgium and even emerging France, are doing something right at school/ club grass-root level, which has allowed them to reach these new heights.
So, continued European dominance on the international stage, what are they doing right? Is it down to their outstanding club facilities, the adjacent practice skills pitches and mini-pitches; is it the 3-8 hockey turfs available at almost every club; is it the onsite restaurants and canteens, catering for a hearty post training/ match meal, recharging them for their next training session, the following day!
It’s no surprise that these destinations are also perfectly suited for hockey touring, with exceptional facilities, excellent transport links to and from the continent; affordable accommodation, and an endless supply of hospitable hockey clubs, that really enjoy hosting their UK counterparts.
These elements, once packaged up and delivered in a professional manner, can provide touring schools and clubs with an unparalleled European hockey tour experience.
As we prepare for our October HT activation, with schools heading out to Holland, Belgium, France and Germany, on their respective Hockey tours MasterclassTours, there are a variety of options for groups to catch sight of these Olympic Gold Medal winners, playing for their respective club teams in the ‘Hoofdklasse’, which is Holland’s top club hockey league. If you’ve never toured Holland before, this is an absolute must, for any aspiring young hockey players.
For teams in staying in the Amsterdam region over the October half term break, make sure to get to the Wagener Stadium at AH&BC Hockey Club, on Saturday 19 October 2024, for the men’s match between Amsterdam HC H1 vs Rotterdam HC H1 at 16h30, or the women’s match between Pinoke HC D1 and Tilburg HC D1 at Pinoke Hockey Club at 12h45.
On the Sunday, 20th of October, Rotterdam HC D1, (*Ladies 1st team) take on HGC D1 ladies at 12h45 at Rotterdam HC, and with 8 other turfs on site, there will be a hive of activity and many other matches to watch! SCHC Men take on Orange-Rood HC at SCHC in Utrecht at 14h45, which will be another excellent match!
Those that are not able to travel, there is still some excellent hockey available, head down to Surbiton Hockey Club, an English Premier League HC, to watch the Men’s ABN Amro EHL KO16, from 3 to 6 October, which will play host to some elite European Clubs, such as Bloemendaal, (Holland) Real Club de Polo, (Spain), Mannheimer HC, (Germany) and Royal Leopold HC from Belgium, to name a few. For match schedule and ticket details, see here EHL Mens EHL KO 16
For any hockey tour related enquiries to Europe or further afield, explore Holland Hockey Tours or contact us and we’ll look at creating the best possible Hockey tour experience for your next trip!