3. TFC/OSM Event 2015
Thamesview visited OSM 75 for the 2015 Easter Tournament, the 29th time the Clubs have met on this special exchange programme. In all 63 people were on the coach with 37 players and 26 adults including Coaches, parents and Officials from Thamesview - the biggest trip yet to Holland!
The Under 13's Youth, Under 12's Youth and a mixed Under 13's United, Under 13's Rangers and Under 12's United squad travelled over on Good Friday to Utrecht for a weekend of football, fun and friendship.
After an early start, the coach arrived a bit later than expected at OSM's magnificent facility, where everyone could grab a bite to eat at the wonderful BBQ laid on by our OSM friends.
After eating, the players all had a chance to stretch their legs playing football, meet up with the OSM boys and see their host families, handing them a gift box from Thamesview. It was a long day but with everyone acquainted, the players went back with their hosts whilst the adults retired back to their grand Hotel - the Van Breukelen.
The Saturday day saw a fantastic activity day planned for the players (plus 8 of the adults!) whilst the rest of the party had the day to venture into Amsterdam or Utrecht. The players day out was one to remember as everyone arrived at 'Poldersport', a teambuilding & survival complex with all sorts of exciting activities!
A great day was had by all the players from both teams as they finished the day off wearing their special edition OSM/TFC Polos, a nice gift from OSM. After arriving back at the Football ground, the players went again back with their hosts whilst the weary, wet and excitable adults went back to the Hotel!
The tournament day arrived with everyone focussed on the football ahead. With OSM, there was more strong Dutch opposition with Kampong and BFC in the 3 groups. All the teams had their own changing rooms as they planned their tactics for the games ahead.
With the sun beating down the games provided some great moments of skill, desire and despair as TFC came very close to regaining the TFC/OSM Cup, they last won in 2010. As it was, Kampong came out on top, winning all 3 groups whilst Thamesview were five minutes away from the TFC/OSM Cup but couldn't hold out as the U13's went down 1-2 to OSM. The U12's held OSM until a late flurry of goals gave the hosts a 5-1 win but the 'Mix' team did however get a great 2-0 win over their Dutch counterparts as Thamesview put in a courageous performance with all their teams.
The evening was a great atmosphere at the OSM clubhouse with music, dancing and more football as the boys, parents and friends of both Clubs got together for a big farewell party. After some speeches and club gifts passed to OSM, a special edition TFC training strip and '#12' shirts for the OSM head organisers, Erwin & Rick, everyone again went back the hosts and the hotel to sleep for one last time....
The Monday morning was the big farewell for everyone with heartfelt goodbyes and hugs and tears from many of the children and adults who had forged a special bond from this special weekend. The coach was loaded and the last waves were made from the windows as the trip to Holland ended for 2015.
A safe journey home was had and even an early arrival back meant that the whole weekend was a success - the trip will be a memory that will last forever for the players (& some parents!). This is only one account of the weekend, however the boys themselves though will have all the stories of their experience for years to come.
We must give special thanks to all our host families from Holland, the OSM players & Officials, Kings Ferry, Hotel Breukelen, our impeccably behaved TFC players (& Adults!) and last but not least Erwin and Rick with their OSM Management team who provided the best weekend possible - Thank you again!
Thamesview will be hosting OSM next Easter in the 30th Tournament - let's make it another year to remember in 2016!
Links to pictures and the TFC/OSM Microsite:-
Rob McCormick's Saturday Pics - Poldersport