DAY 1

Having left the high school at 9.30 on sunday, the party left in high spirits and made a staggered journey down to Hull to catch the overnight ferry to Rotterdam. Once on board the boat we had the luxury of a buffet meal which all of us seemed to have no problem getting tucked into! There was entertainment for us in the form of a disco for the several school parties on board and some of the moves the boys were pulling would have put John Travolta to shame in his hey day! After the disco it was lights out and a good nights sleep before we docked in Rotterdam.



Day 2

Once the group woke it was back along to the diner for a buffet breakfast and yet again the capacities of our stomaches were put to the test!!!

We then left the Ferry and met our driver Ian again. He would drive us to the de Kuip Stadium where we were met by our head coach, former dutch internationalist and Feyenoord Legend, Ben Wijnstekers. Ben gave us a brief introduction to what we would be doing before we headed to the training ground of Feyenoord. Here we had a morning session and on the parks next to us the youth teams of Feyenoord were being put through their paces.

We then broke off for lunch at our Hotel and returned to the ground for an afternoon session. After we went back to our Hotel and were given new kit to play our local Dutch oppositions in.

This evenings games were played in a sporting spirit but with our lads a bit tired from the days coaching, combined with the sheer size, strength (and possibly of older age)of our opponents both the S1 and S2 teams succumbed to defeat. S1 goal scorer was Liam Gordon and Cameron Kidd grabbed a consolation for the S2's in their game. For large spells in the match the boys looked excellent and were playing some good football. Both sides lost their crucial goals late on in the match which was a strong indicator of fatigue! However, this was still a worthwhile exercise and the boys left the pitch satisfied with their efforts.

After this it was back to the hotel for our tea and some chill out time before going our beds exhausted from the days events.

Yep you've guessed it we've got it all to do tomorrow!!!




Day 3

After a well earned sleep, the lads woke up this morning to yet another action packed day. Once we had breakfast, it was on to the training ground for a 2 1/2 hour session. Our coaches, Ben and Ron had a well structured programme for the boys, the focus being passing, receiving and shooting. The goal keepers were also well worked during these routines and we managed to get some great shots and saves for our DVD. The training session was wound down with small sided games and the boys appeared to implement the things learned from training into their games.

After the morning session we went back to the hotel for lunch and returned to the de kuip stadium to pay the club shop a visit. Needless to say the lads done their best to clear the place out! The ladies in the shop were kind enough to give a pendant and some stickers for the school whilst the lads were given a Feyenoord 100 year comemorative book.

Our coach Ben managed to arrange a suprise for the boys to watch the Feyenoord 1st team train in the stadium itself. The Feyenoord squad was depleted due to the forthcoming International matches this weekend and Olympic Games although we still got to see alot of 1st team regular including the familiar face of former Rangers player Michael Mols.

In the blistering heat and sunshine the boys were given the option of staying at the ground until training was finished to get autographs, going on a boat tour of Rotterdam, having a late afternoon training session or taking a walk into the centre to see some sights and get a few gifts.

The boys chose the latter, deciding to go into the centre (5 min walk from hotel)and some even managed to pick up a few bargains before returning for tea.

The weather has been excellent here and it was a perfect evening for the lads to enjoy taking advantage of the execellent facilities on offer at the leisure complex we have access to. Here we had games of football, basketball, table tennis, volleyball and some even had time to log into bebo and check their e mail! Afer an action packed night we have now returned to the hotel and the shattered lads are currently tidying their rooms before departure tomorrow!

Tomorrow consists of a double training session in the morning followed by a Feyenoord museum and stadium tour before we head back to the port to catch the over night Ferry home. We have the added bonus of being able to watch the champions league final on the way home - COME ON MAN U!!!



DAY 4

Following breakfast and a quick room check, we waved good bye to the hotel and made our way to the training ground. The morning session focussed on players technique for various elements of the game before we broke off for a packed lunch. The afternoon session involved small sided games in the form of a tournament and after this we waved good bye to the training ground and staff and headed to the de Kuip stadium for a tour.

Our coaches Ben and Ron along with a tour guide (a former Feyenoord player from the 1950's) took us around the stadium and we were very fortunate to be able to gain access to various parts of the ground including the press room, (where Brandon Ross gave a hilarious interview for our camera man - available on DVD shortly!!) changing rooms, players tunnel & executive seats to name but a few behind the scenes areas. Our tour guide was giving us a lot of information about the stadium and the boys were throwing questionions about the de Kuip ti him at every opportunity.

Holland are playing Ukraine at the de Kuip this weekend and because of this the pitch was being treated with chemicals etc so the boys were not allowed on it which was unfortunate but they all managed to get into the empty team bath (fully clothed may I add!!)

After the stadium tour we had a museum tour and in the hall of fame were names such as Wim Jansen, Pierre Van Hooijdonk, Regi Blinker, George Boetang, Ruud Guillit, Dirk Kuit, Robin Van Persie, Salomon Kalou and our very own coach Ben Wijnstekers, amongst many others.

Following the museum tour we watched a video of the history of Feyenoord in a confrence room and once this finished we were all presented with medals and certificates by Ben and Ron. After this we posed for photographs etc then waved a final good bye to our coaches and the good people at Feyenoord before making the short bus journey to catch the Ferry home.

Once on board the Ferry we were delighted to hear that the Champions League Final was to be shown on the big screen and everyone agreed it was the perfect way to wind down after an excellent week. Following the game, the shattered lads were off to bed and settled quickly much to the delight of the staff!



Day 5

Once the lads got their 6 am wake up call and had breakfast it was time to go back on the bus to Perth and the lads were home in time to watch the final league game of the SPL season.



Reflection

Overall the trip was a great experience for both staff and pupils. The coaching on offer was top class and you can't get much better than a man who has played in the same team as Johan Cruyff, Marco Van Basten, Ruud Guillit, Johan Neeskens and Frank Rijkaard (all of whom he consders to be his close friends.)

The boys themselves i'm sure gained a lot from the experience. Their behaviour and enthusiasm were excellent throughout the trip and were a credit to themselves and Perth High School.

Hopefully this will be the first of many of such trips and we hope it is something the boys will remember for the rest of their lives.