CKC trip to Velocitas, Leiderdorp

CKC were invited, and attended a tournament at Velocitas Korfball club in Leiderdorp, Holland. Players and party people alike made their way across, under and over the English Channel in something that resembled the Gumball Rally!! All had set off on Friday 22nd Aug and meet up at Velocitas sports ground to set up camp. An evening meal of pizza was arranged and delivered, which the party people were grateful for, as it helped soak up the 1.5ltr bottle of vodka that was now nearing empty!! For the rest of us serious Korfballers the beer was blissfully flowing. Some Dutch and ex-pat friends of the club turned up to say hello and prepare themselves in playing for Croydon the next day. On the Saturday we turned out 2 teams of mixed age and ability, the first team obviously stronger than the second. The 1sts won 3 of their 5 games, and only loosing the 2 others by 1 goal, thus gaining a respectable 2nd place in their group. The 2nds lost 3 and won 1, and so failed in their attempt to win the wooden spoon!! The 2 biggest highlights of the day were Steve Jones getting the ball thrown at him whilst refereeing, by a Dutch player who didn't like his decision, bye bye, early bath for you my son!!! And Nick being asked by a Dutch coach if he was a national squad player (and it only cost him 10euro!)

Very hung over the next morning, the party people went sightseeing in Amsterdam, while we went off to Sporting Trigon where 2 friendly games for each team had been arranged. The 1st team equipped themselves well, winning both games. The 2nd team to their credit played very well against very experienced opposition, but went down in both games. Off to the Chinese for a meal in the evening, a couple of beers back at the clubhouse, and off to bed for an early morning getaway. Monday morning we all said our goodbyes and faded off into the various parts of Holland to depart, just as we had arrived.