Avonvale United FC visits CSV Jong Holland

29 years of exchange with Bath

CSV Jong Holland organized their first exchange with Cam Everside AFC in 1992. After more than 10 years, this exchange came to an end. With a two-year hiatus, the club resumed the exchange with Tetbury FC. That lasted until 2004, when the organization ceased there as well. Since 2007, Jong Holland has maintained close contacts with Avonvale United FC. Despite a hiatus due to Brexit and the coronavirus, the friendship is still going strong. At Easter 2026, the 15th will already have arrived.^e uitwisseling tussen beide clubs een feit. Overall was dit jaar de 29^ste editie van een Engeland uitwisseling door Jong Holland.  

Day 1, Friday, April 3

Good Friday is a travel day for the guests. At 6:00 local time, 12 children and 3 adults departed in a 15-person bus to Jong Holland, Alkmaar, the Netherlands. En route, they encountered traffic jams around London, and because they arrived in Folkstone later than the check-in time, they also incurred a delay of over an hour for their train crossing to Calais.

Meanwhile, one adult, Colin Stevens, a pioneer of The Vales from the very beginning, had already arrived at Schiphol by plane. This allowed the club to make the first preparations for the arrival of the other guests and, of course, take plenty of time to catch up. 

With a delay of an hour and a half, the guests arrived at Jong Holland around 8:00 PM. Because the host families had already met the guests and their parents, the introductions went very quickly. Before we knew it, everyone had left. That was certainly necessary after a long journey.

Day 2, Saturday, April 4

On Saturday, the traditional football matches between Avonvale United FC and Jong Holland were on the schedule, competing for the Challenge Cup. The winner gets to keep the trophy for a year. It was a sporting and enjoyable match where the result is actually secondary. After Jong Holland held a 3-1 lead at half-time, a 3-3 draw was a fair final score. The winner had to come from extra time with a golden goal or otherwise through penalties. With less than 10 minutes into the first period of extra time, Jong Holland scored and thus kept the trophy in the Netherlands.

After the matches, we enjoyed a delicious Easter lunch provided by the host families. The lunch served as an opportunity to officially welcome our guests. We strengthened and reaffirmed our ties. The invitation to come to England next Easter 2027 was accepted amidst loud applause and cheers.  

After lunch, the host parents had a free afternoon to explore Alkmaar with their guests. In the evening, we celebrated AZ's victory over Fortuna Sittard in the stadium. A pleasant evening in a great football atmosphere. The guests visibly enjoyed themselves.

Day 4, Sunday, April 5 2026  

The whole day to yourself, sleeping in and enjoying a delicious Easter breakfast. Many of the host families then went out together on their own initiative to admire Alkmaar from the water on an open boat tour.

The adults traveled to Amsterdam by train and were treated to an organized walk. This concluded with an Easter lunch.

Late in the afternoon, we gathered at De Waerd in Heerhugowaard for a competitive game of bowling. Afterwards, we went stone grilling. During the meal, the host parents were given special recognition for all the appreciation shown for their efforts during this Easter weekend.