CSV Jong Holland has maintained close links with Bath-based Avonvale United FC since 2007. Every year the youth of both football clubs visited each other. After a break due to Brexit and corona, Easter 2024 was marked by the 13th exchange between both associations. It was another successful exchange. A full program with footgolf, a skating clinic, bowling, stone grilling, climbing at Outdoorpark De Meent, a pub quiz and of course a lot of football!
As a reminder of the exchange, a wall decoration was presented to the English club. For all children and host parents, a picture with an inscription of two football boots touching the ball together is a permanent reminder of the togetherness and the strong bond between the clubs. Afterwards, all participants had many beautiful memories!
Read the report of this beautiful exchange here.
EXCHANGE REPORT 2024 CSV JONG HOLLAND WITH AVONVALE UNITED FC 13TH YEAR EXCHANGE BETWEEN BOTH CLUBS
CSV Jong Holland organized its first exchange with Cam Everside afc in 1992. After more than 10 years, this exchange came to an end. With a break of 2 years we picked up the exchange with Tetbury FC. That lasted until 2004 when the organization also ceased there. We have been in close contact with Avonvale United FC since 2007. After an interlude due to Brexit and corona, Easter 2024 was marked by the 13th exchange between both clubs.
Day 1, Friday 29 March 2024
Consult the Checklist. Bedroom, check. Groceries, check. Phone charged, check. Oh ... are they already on their way...let's see...yes! The Vales left at 6.30 am en route to Alkmaar. Their route, where they are with photos, can be followed via facebook. Back to the
checklist ... more messages from the host parents? No, everything looks like orde...na months of planning and organizing we are ready to receive our guests.
Around 21.00 the 15-seater vans with English license plates turn onto the parking lot of our complex. Yeah! They're here! We meet and greet our friends with all the host parents and their children. The exchange has really started now!
The Vales have had a long journey. For a game of football, the men are not too tired. Nevertheless, we quickly move on to the informal welcome and introducing the host parents. After that, everyone chooses their own path.
Day 2, Saturday 30 March 2024
On Saturday, the traditional football matches between Avonvale United FC and Jong Holland were scheduled. They were sporting and fun games, the outcome of which was secondary. The first match was the Netherlands-England. The second game the players were mixed and the coaches of both teams played along.
After the games we could enjoy a delicious Easter lunch, provided by the host parents. Lunch was handled to officially welcome our guests. It is special that partly due to the warm contacts in the periods around Brexit and corona, the ties have remained strong, which is why there is the revival of the exchange. On behalf of Jong Holland we have given a wall decoration as a reminder of the exchange. For all children and host parents, a picture with an inscription of two football boots touching the ball together is a permanent reminder of the togetherness and the strong bond between the clubs.
After lunch we played footgolf. The course was prepared by Thijs van Diepen, Lex Rooker and Job Thoes with available game materials. With these guys, young Holland has gold in its hands. How the children had fun. Satisfied and at the same time tired and soaked from the rain, we ended the afternoon prematurely. We did not allow the old Dutch games to continue.
in the evening we went to the match AZ-Vitesse. In a not so spectacular match, AZ won 2-0. The atmosphere in the stadium was great.
Day 3, Sunday 31 March 2024
guest parents. Unlike yesterday, the sun was shining but it was also cloudy. At least it was dry. At the beginning of the afternoon, indoor skating in ice rink De Meent was on the program, organized by InBalans skaats - en skeelerschool. In a nice atmosphere it was nice to swing and sway over the ice.
Change quickly because at the end of the afternoon we went bowling at the Waerd in Heerhugowaard. Here, too, struggle, tension and sportiness. Afterwards, a joint stone barbecue, on behalf of Jong Holland as a thank you for all the efforts and involvement of host parents and the organization. It was a pleasure to look back on the activities and the course of the exchange so far. It was a good night.
Day 4, Monday 1 april 2024
The day of the opening of Outdoorpark Alkmaar. And we had maps. Enjoy climbing, scrambling and rollerblading. And then swimming at the Hoornse Vaart. A day full of laughter, vultures and roars. For the adults there was room for their own interpretation. Some host families went with their guests to the Open Air Museum in Enkhuizen.
Finally, there was a walk-in evening with a real football pub quiz for young and old. Organized by Thijs van Diepen and Lex Rooker. The host was Wind Project on the Oudegracht because we could not go to Jong Holland itself because of the horse races. The fanaticism between the groups was contagious. The evening ended with a smile. And that says enough!
Day 5, Tuesday 2 april 2024
At Jong Holland ... in the early morning(5.30 am) ...all aboard ... a horn....wave....and they were gone ... Why is saying goodbye so emotional? Sign of a close relationship between the clubs and the people involved. Many beautiful memories richer. Looking forward to Easter 2025!!
Finally
We look back on a successful exchange.
I thank the Friends of Jong Holland and the Alkmaars Exchange Committee for their financial contribution. Also InBalans and Wind Projects thank you for making their space and active involvement available.
Thijs van Diepen, Lex Rooker and stille kracht Job Thoes, thank you very much.
And last but not least...without host families no exchange; thank you very much!!
Onno Zijp
coordinator
English (UK) 
Nederlands