A group of 16 excited boys - and their families - began their trip to Amsterdam with a 5.30am check in at Leeds Bradford Airport on Good Friday.

On arrival at the Duinrell Camp near The Hague, the 37 strong party were able to make good use of the indoor water complex facilities and relax. The next day the football began, with the team taking part in the first tournament.

* Click here for more Garforth Villa match reports and club news.

The boys played another English team and two local Dutch teams, one being of an older age group. The weather threw everything at them - rain, snow and hail - but they managed to finish all the matches in good spirits.

Sunday's tournament had an interesting start when the Dutch coach driver became lost several times, which was only resolved when the police came to our rescue and escorted us to the venue via a bridle path. The first game was delayed due to us being late and the team had insufficient preparation time, resulting in a 2-0 defeat to the Dutch team Vredenburch.

The second game saw the team earn a well-deserved 1-1 draw with Leiden, which Villa should have won on chances alone. However, the boys never really got into the third game and lost 5-0 to the well-organised Leonidas team. Our last game of the tournament saw the boys really fired up against one of the favourites, SVS, attacking from the start and playing some good team football, with the resultant 2-0 win being very well deserved. Overall the team finished third in their group, just missing out on the semi-finals. Each player was presented with a medal by our Dutch hosts.

On Easter Monday a trip to Amsterdam proved an interesting diversion to the football. Then it was on to the Ajax Stadium, with a full tour of the magnificent ground, trophy room and even an opportunity to give a mock press conference. On the highest point of the terracing the Villa players were then individually presented with keepsake mementoes of tour by the Villa management in appreciation of their efforts.

Then for some it was the flight back to Leeds after a full but very enjoyable long weekend, with others staying to enjoy a further day at leisure at the theme park in Holland.

* Garforth Villa U-12s would like to say a big thank you to all our sponsors who helped make the trip possible.
They are: Ginetta - British Sports Cars, The Gary Chapelow Memorial Fund, Yorkshire Bank, Unilever, Activ8, PDR Construction, Jackson Trophies Hilary Sedgwick – Lilac Moon Designs.