In April, Far Post sent its U14 Boys and Girls teams on its annual trip to Holland. This was the tenth year that Far Post has done this trip, and this was one of the most successful trips to date. On top of having beautiful weather (which is rare this time of year in the Netherlands), both the boys and girls teams were fortunate enough to be able to have their own Dutch National coaching staff (KNVB staff) trainer for an entire week. Both teams had double sessions every day and learned so much about the Dutch vision of soccer.  Both teams were able to play against some top competition. 

One of the great treats while in Holland is being able to watch top-level professional teams play and train while in Holland.  The boys were fortunate enough to see PSV Eindhoven train in preparation for their last regular season match and had a picture taken (at right) with Patrick Kluivert, who used to be one of the top players in the world and was a regular on the Dutch national team.

 Throughout the week, both boys and girls teams are totally immersed in the Dutch system of soccer and culture at a time in their lives when they are just beginning to truly appreciate the sport. Players return from Holland with new energy and excitement for the game.

Not only is this a great team bonding experience, players return to Vermont with a whole new level of commitment and dedication to soccer.  In addition, the trip is a great international travel experience. The exposure to a foreign culture and way of life provides a terrific learning experience for the players in ways that go far beyond the sport of soccer.

 Orange was not picked as a club color by accident. Originally, Far Post developed a club-wide system of play that mimicked the Dutch style of play. That style of play is based largely on keeping possession of the ball and creative and attractive attacking soccer. Holland’s rich soccer history reaches back at least 30 years, when the National Team earned instant worldwide fame with ‘Total Soccer’ and was called 'Clockwork Orange' because of their precise, skillful and beautiful style of play. From legends like Johan Cruyff in the 70s and Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard and Ronald Koeman in the 80s, big players from this small nation have long set a standard for exciting, creative play.

Reflections on the Holland Trip ~ by U14 Girls Head Coach David Eddy  On April 20th seventeen Far Post female soccer players and four chaperones left for Holland (more accurately called the Netherlands) along with the boy’s team and their chaperones. It was a trip that we had been fundraising for and anticipating for the better part of a year. It did not disappoint.    We had a wonderful ten-day trip. It was filled with lots of soccer playing ~ eight professional training sessions, four games and two professional soccer games.

The trip also included a number of site seeing activities (underground mountain biking, WWII American Military Cemetery, Cave exploring, shopping in historic Maastricht), the excitement of being in a new culture, the beautiful Dutch countryside, and just a wonderful time enjoying our time together as teammates and chaperones.  At left, the girls at the Ajax Museum!  What a pleasure it was to be with this group focusing on a game that we all love. I think I speak for everyone in our party when I say that it was well worth the effort and cost. I would encourage future players to take advantage of this opportunity if it presents itself.