Thamesview and O.S.M. - The Story Continues
2011 was the 24th year and 25th Tournament of the annual exchange trip between Thamesview and our friends from Utrecht in Holland, OSM '75. The event started in May 1987 when the first visit of Thamesview took place. It was arranged after a chance meeting in Cliftonville between Bill Hoare, who used to coach a Thamesview side and the father of an OSM player. At that time it was a short weekend visit but has now been extended for the entire Easter weekend. Since that time, Thamesview have visitied OSM in Holland and vice versa every year. Traditionally the squads in the Under 12 to 13 age groups will visit their counterparts and stay with host families. Many of the boy's parents from both clubs have taken the opportunity to spend the weekend at hotels in the local area and have enjoyed a continued relationship over the years.
This year Dave Rose from the Under 12's arranged the TYFC side of the trip whilst Erwin Wildschut co-ordinated OSM's hosting of the event. The weekend included a fantastic day out the the Theme Park 'Walibi' on the Saturday and the keenly contested tournament on the Sunday where Thamesview competed not just against OSM but other Dutch teams. OSM won the cup on this occasion, however football, friendship and the experience of it all was the real winner after a wonderful weekend for all who made the trip: TYFC coaches, Parents and Players alike.
The following links have many
pictures of the weekend taken by Frank Mulder from OSM and there will be more
added soon to the TYFC website:-
Arrival and the BBQ
Walibi Theme Park
The Tournament
Party Time !
Goodbyes
Lastly past events and
teams can be accessed by clicking here or on the
original trophy on the left. Also please click the following links below for
more information on OSM and also visit their tournament microsite.
