Teenage hockey players from Thirsk and Northallerton have enjoyed an Easter tour with a difference, travelling to Europe to visit a professional Dutch club.

The group of 30 girls plus volunteers and parents from the two clubs were hosted by Oranje-Rood at Eindhoven, where they received specialist coaching and got the chance to watch the men's and women's first teams in training.

The squads also played matches against different Dutch teams of similar ages, and took a trip to Amsterdam.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Tour leader Phil Hughes, left, with Twisted founder Charles Fawcett, right, and hockey players in their sponsored tour kit

The tour was boosted by significant sponsorship from Thirsk-based Land Rover Defender specialist Twisted, which paid for bespoke kit including playing shirts, hoodies and socks for all the players.

Twisted founder Charles Fawcett, whose daughter plays for Thirsk, said: "We were thrilled to be able to help with the kit – I've seen first hand how many friends the girls make through hockey and what they get out of it."

Tour leader Phil Hughes, of Thirsk Hockey Club, added: "It was great to see the facilities for hockey in Holland. Over there it's their national sport and the set-up is simply amazing.

"The girls were trained by international players and coaches from New Zealand, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, and also played matches against some really good local opposition.

Darlington and Stockton Times: The touring squad from Thirsk and Northallerton hockey clubs

"The quality of hockey they've been exposed to was so, so high, and hopefully will have left a lasting impact on them. I know from the coaching team's perspectives we've learnt a lot, and hopefully the legacy from the tour will feed into aspects of our game next season.

"Being able to run the tour jointly with Northallerton, and strengthen the links between the two clubs, has been fantastic. I just want to express our gratitude to Twisted as well, who equipped the girls with playing kit and hoodies – this really helped us to go out there and look the part."