U.15 Hockey Tour To Germany, April 2009.

Our tour began with an excited group of chatty, giggly girls heading to Manchester Airport early on the Wednesday morning. This fun and happy atmosphere was to become the norm and ensured a successful trip. We checked in without any hitches and had plenty of time to grab some breakfast and do the usual airport shopping to while away the time.

Our week comprised three games of hockey, a training session with the German National Coach, a trip to Movie World theme park, and sightseeing around Dusseldorf and Cologne.  On arrival we were welcomed into the Dusseldorf Youth Hostel and had chance to settle into our rooms before being whisked away on a guided tour of Dusseldorf.  This was a good first activity as it gave us chance to see where we were staying and appreciate the diverse city of the old town and new docklands, (Media Area).

After an early breakfast on Thursday we set off for Warsteiner Park for a training session with the German National Hockey Coach. The facilities were outstanding and initially the girls were in awe of the stadium…… “Are we actually playing in there?!.....it’s amazing!” Once the girls were actually on the pitch they threw themselves into the session and all came away feeling excited and ready for their first game against Gladbacher Hockey Club.

Friday began with a trip to the Warner Bros Movie Park in Bottrop. The theme park had the usual fast, scary, exhilarating and wet rides – all of which were tackled with screaming and laughter. The glorious sunshine and happy smiley faces of the girls created a fun and relaxing morning in readiness for a fast and furious match later that afternoon against Dusseldorfer Hockey Club.

Dinner on Friday was taken at the club house with the Dusseldorfer girls. We enjoyed the German hospitality and the girls from both teams enjoyed trying to communicate with each other by attempting the different languages. By the end of the evening
e-mail addresses were beingexchanged, photos were taken and again lots of smiling faces said it all.

Saturday morning was the day of our last match in Dusseldorf against DSC99. The opposition were again most welcoming and we enjoyed a fun mixed game after the proper match followed by a BBQ in the sunshine.  In the afternoon we travelled to Cologne for a sightseeing trip and our final dinner in a typical Kolsches restaurant at Brauhaus Sion.

Our flight home was uneventful – if you forget about Alice almost not being allowed on the flight for losing her boarding card;Tuesday losing her boarding ticket in the plane steps whilst boarding and a lost mobile phone after landing! Quite a breeze!

The tour seemed to pass very quickly and I would like to thank each tour member for their attitude and approach towards the whole trip. Their cooperation made the tour run smoothly and the girls were a real pleasure to take away.  Thank you and well done.

Finally, thank you once again to Burleydam Garden Centre for sponsoring the team. Please visit their website at: www.burleydamgardencentre.co.uk  Thank you also to Mr and Mrs. Haslam and the Parents’ Association for their support and contributions towards the playing shirts; and Leesa Davies and Miss. Fitzpatrick for their help and in accompanying the trip.

Mrs. E. Sanders

Match Reports.

The girls began their tour with a match against Gladbacher Hockey Club. It was a fairly even game and Abbey Gate managed to score a goal early in the first half which boosted their moral. Unfortunately, the second half saw a change in fortunes and Gladbacher came out with a completely different side!!! The girls continued to play fluid hockey and were keen to keep their lead but the fresh legs and pace of the Gladbacher girls made it hard for Abbey Gate to sustain the pressure. They put up a valiant fight but finally lost the match 2-1.
Girl Of The Game:  Sophie Evans.

Our second match was against Dusseldorfer Hockey Club; we were raring to go and after losing the first game so narrowly we only had a win in our sights! Instead, we had a real taste of fast and furious hockey and were played into the ground by an extremely strong – both physically and skilfully – league winners team. Not to be deterred, Abbey Gate threw themselves into the match and some outstanding individual performances were a joy to see. Our defence were run ragged and proved themselves to be real fighters under pressure. Unfortunately, a link between the defence and the midfield was difficult to establish and proved to be our downfall. Tuesday Knowles, (defence), and Sylvie Christian, (Goal Keeper), were shining examples of how to play with guts and determination and were to be deserving recipients of the ‘Girl Of The Game’ award.
Girls Of The Game:  Tuesday Knowles and Sylvie Christian 

Match three against Dusseldorfer Sports Club 99 was evenly matched and the girls enjoyed the end to end game. The Abbey Gate girls were good at distributing the ball to the wings and managed to get the ball into the oppositions ‘D’ many times but just could not find the goal! A final losing score of 1 – 0 was unfortunate as we enjoyed most of the possession and looked to have more depth as a team. Dusseldorfer’s goal came from a good cross into the ‘D’ but then a scrappy finish as the ball was scrambled into the goal. A disappointing result for an otherwise exciting game.
Girls Of The Game:  Sophie Evans and Abigail Stubbs

After the ‘official’ match we split the teams in half and joined together to play a mixed game. This was a great way to finish a successful tour. The girls from both teams enjoyed the camaraderie that was evident and lots of smiles, gestures and laughter ensured the language barriers were quickly broken down. 

The girls chose the ‘Girl Of The Game Award’ after each match and whilst all the team members were demonstrating improvements in their own game one squad member particularly shone. Abigail Stubbs worked tirelessly on the wing; her skilful play, determination to win the ball, general match fitness and overall work rate in each game has been rewarded with the recognition from her team mates in being voted ‘Player Of The Tour’ award.  Well done Abi.
Player Of The Tour:  Abigail Stubbs

Well done to all squad members.  Your contribution on the pitch, work rate and team effort have ensured a successful and fun tour.

Emma Sanders