The schedule for the Burton Albion under 18s team’s pre-season tour of Holland has been announced.
The Brewers will embark on a 12-day programme of training sessions, educational and cultural activities, as well as two full 90-minute games against Dutch opposition, with a further four 40-minute games as part of Zilveren Botter Tournament on the final day.
The tour, for which the Brewers were awarded funding through the Erasmus Plus Programme, begins on the 31st of July.
All professional football clubs can apply for funding through the Erasmus Plus Programme, which gives them the opportunity to experience different cultures.
Head of Academy Coaching Hannah Dingley put together the club’s application, which proved to be successful.
The first week of the tour will involve numerous training sessions, a visit to a war museum, partner sessions with Dutch second-tier side FC Volendam before the Brewers play their first game of the tour, a 90-minute-match against the under 19s side of two-time Dutch champions ADO Den Haag. The first week will be rounded off with a tour of the Amsterdam Arena, home of Dutch giants Ajax.
The second week sees the Brewers playing their second 90-minute-match, this time facing NAC Breda under 19s. The final day of the tour sees the under 18s play four 40-minutes-matches in one day. FC Volendam under 19s are their first opponents, the young Brewers will then face FC Utrecht under 19s. They will then come up against fellow Youth Alliance member Hartlepool United before finishing their group stage against FC Groningen under 19s. two-time Eredivisie winners AZ Alkmaar are also taking part in the tournament.
After an award ceremony, Burton will travel back to England.
Professional Development Phase Lead Coach Sam Rose believes that the tour will be a good test for the academy as a whole and is delighted to have the opportunity to take part.
He said: We are taking in a number of games against Dutch opposition and it will be a fantastic opportunity to work with the lads closely, for them to bond as a group and take them, and us as staff, out of our comfort zone.
“It is something we have not done as an academy, up until now, it is the first tour that we have been on so it is something that we are really looking forward to.
“we would like to thank the LFE and everyone who has been involved in planning the trip, the schedule is excellent, we are privileged to be taking part. A special thanks also to Hannah Dingley, Head of Academy Coaching, who worked hard to put together the successful funding application.”