Trip to Netherlands for local Dutch soccer school (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Trip to Netherlands for local Dutch soccer school

Cirencester-based company, The Dutch UK Football School, organised a trip to the Netherlands for eight football coaches from around the country last week.

The tour involved watching matches and training at Dutch professional clubs RKC and FC Den Bosch as well as at amateur club OJC Rosmalen.

The Dutch UK Football School (DUFS) was formed in January this year by local coach Paul Cooper and Dutchman Bert-Jan Heijmans.

The aim of the company is to try and combine the positive aspects of both football cultures and help improve playing and coaching standards in the UK.

Paul Cooper said, "It was a real education, we have a great deal to learn from the Dutch as their Youth Soccer Programme is recognised as the best in the world."

OJC Rosmalen has no fewer than 71 teams, both youth and adult, with 1200 players and over 300 volunteers.

The secret of their success is that the game is based on development and education with youngsters playing at their own ability level, which makes coaching a lot easier and games much more competitive.

One of the highlights of the trip was going behind the scenes at Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistleroy's first professional club FC Den Bosch to talk to the coaching staff and watch the youth teams train.

The coaches watched over 25 games in all including the Dutch Premiership game between RKC and Willem II as well as an under 11s game between PSV and OJC Rosmalen.

"Seeing PSV U11s was a real treat. The way they passed and moved was sensational, and it was all done in a very relaxed atmosphere with the emphasis on having fun," said Paul Cooper.

The Dutch UK Football School will be holding a one-day introduction course for youth coaches at Cirencester Town FC on Sunday August 24.

For more details contact Paul on 01285 657688 or visit their website, www.dutchukfootballschool.tk