Kirkbie Kendal School's Football Tour to the Netherlands

picture of Kirkbie Kendal School on their football tour to the Netherlands

Kirkbie Kendal School recently embarked on an exciting school football tour to the Netherlands, bringing together 47 students from their U14 and U15 boys’ and girls’ teams. Travelling by coach, the group enjoyed a packed itinerary combining competitive fixtures against local opposition, a professional coaching session at FC Utrecht, and the unforgettable experience of watching a live international match between the Netherlands and Norway.

This marked the school’s second school football tour to the Netherlands with Rayburn Tours. The trip was carefully designed to balance high-quality football opportunities with off the pitch experiences while ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience for staff throughout.

What Did the Tour Include?

2 x competitive fixtures against Dutch opposition, including Amersfoort Football Club Quick 1890
Professional coaching session at FC Utrecht
Behind-the-scenes stadium experience with a self-led tour of FC Utrecht
Cultural and leisure time, including a visit to Efteling Theme Park
The chance to watch an international football game between the Netherlands and Norway.

Was There a Standout Moment?

One of the most impactful moments came after the fixtures. Following competitive but well-spirited matches, students from both teams spent time together socialising, talking about football, school, and everyday life.

Seeing our students spend time with their opponents following some really competitive but well spirited fixtures and take time getting to know each other and talk about football, school and many other things. Our students take so much from these experiences but the fixtures are definitely the highlight of the trip. We have always been made to feel extremely welcome by our local clubs.

Samuel Clarkson, Kirkbie Kendal School

How did Rayburn Tours Support the Trip?

From initial enquiry through to return, Rayburn Tours provided consistent, reliable support:
A responsive team available throughout booking and pre-departure
Access to 24/7 emergency support during travel for complete peace of mind
A fully organised itinerary available via the Vamoos app, keeping all trip details in one place
Careful planning to ensure everything ran smoothly and on schedule
This proactive approach allowed staff to focus on students, rather than logistics.

I had a really positive experience from start to finish with Rayburn. People were always available during our booking process and pre-departure to answer any questions or queries that we had. Although we didn’t have to use it, the fact that we are able to contact someone 24 hours a day during our trip also helps to reduce stress during the trip. Everything was uploaded onto Vamoos in good time which is a great companion to staff before and during the trip.

Samuel Clarkson, Kirkbie Kendal School

Why Choose the Netherlands for a School Football Tour?

The Netherlands continues to be a top-performing destination for school sports tours:

Exceptional grassroots football facilities and infrastructure
Welcoming and hospitable local clubs
Strong footballing culture that enhances the competitive experience
High levels of English spoken, making communication easy for students
These factors combine to create a safe, accessible, and highly rewarding environment for young players.

We have now completed 2 trips to the Netherlands and have had such a positive experience on both occasions. The footballing facilities and infrastructure at grassroots level far surpasses what we are used to. All of our opposition clubs have been extremely welcoming and hospitable and the hidden bonus of the amount of Dutch people who are fluent English speakers really helps and allows our students to easily interact with the people that they meet.

Samuel Clarkson, Kirkbie Kendal School

Why Choose Rayburn Tours?

This trip is a great example of how Rayburn Tours delivers:
Well-organised, stress-free tours for staff
Meaningful experiences that go beyond sport
Opportunities for student development both on and off the pitch
Trusted support at every stage of the journey

Kick Off an Unforgettable School Football Tour

If you’re looking to provide your students with an inspiring and well-organised school football tour, now is the perfect time to start planning.

Chat to our expert team today to start planning!

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Kirkbie Kendal School’s Football Tour to the Netherlands