FBA has organised tour to the Olve Tournament in Antwerp in Belgium during Easter holidays every year.  Thanks to Janice Mairs great organisational skills and the hard work from our coaches, Mark, Dave and Gavin, our 2009 trip was another success once again for all who went!  Please see below for details on our latest tour.

Coaches Report by Mark Golds

1. •Fri
   

5am is always a good time to start the day and this was no exception!  The bus was on time and got everyone safely to Dover for the 10am sailing.  Then onwards from Calais to Olve which I think most everyone napped throughout.

1. •Sat
   

Play was across two venues with the U15 and U17 in one and the U11, U13 and U19 in the other.  Dave and myself were split with Dave sorting the U15 & U17 and me with the U11, U13, and U19.  The standards were high from the 37 countries who were playing in the events but Futures players performed exceptionally well with notable performances from Mike Simmons U19, Daniel Heron U11, Oliver Moore U15, Kirsty Muddle, Greg Mairs, Eve O'Sullivan.  It was a 15 hour day for most and everyone was feeling the fatigue.  All parents did a great job with the support and Chris the coach driver did a wonderful job of running players and supporters around the venues.

1. •Sun
   

Another early start but only one venue was used which eased the pressure for Dave and myself.  The day gave us a mixed bag of results with excellent games from Ollie and Kirsty in the mixed U13, Mike Simmon in the boys end mixed U19 doubles.  Yet again it was on extremly long day and all players and parents were feeling it, so it was nice to chill out in the sports club bar after another 15 hour day in the sports hall.

1. •Mon - Final day
   

A handful of players had matches today and again we had fantastic games from everyone.  Ollie and Kirsty lost a very tough mixed U13 final against the English National Winners and Mike Simmons just missed out on winning the U19 mixed with his Dutch partner but saw gold in the Boy U19 doubles with his Slovakian partner which was a fantastic result.

We then made a mad dash back to the hotel to catch the bus to make our way home.

A memorable Olve 2009 Tour was had by all and made all the better with the great help of Janice Mairs without who this trip would not have happened.