Juniors sing the praises of the most recent SWS Junior Tour!
SWS Foundation Tour to Rouen 2025
This year 3 teams from our junior section U16 and U18 boys and U16/18 girls travel to Rouen Hockey Club in France for the annual triangular tournament between East Grinstead, RouenHC, France and Flottbek in Hamburg, Germany.This year we had an early 4am start as we travelled via coach to our friends in Rouen. We had a very quiet coach at that time in the morning but as the time went by the excitement started to grow. Once we arrived at the club house in Rouen, a game of Cricket commenced before our lunch arrived and a mass picnic ensued. The kids were then taken to their host families for the weekend where they would had their evening meal.
Saturday - Is all about meeting new friends and interacting with players from the other clubs. This year the players are split into 11 a-side teams and play a round-robin tournament creating new friendships and connections . We were very fortune with the weather this weekend and we had glorious sun, once the hockey had finished on Saturday we were taken into Rouen City Centre to see the historic sights that the city has to offer before heading to our venue for the evening BiFrost for some food and a party.
On Sunday however, things turn competitive as the players play within their clubs and will be in a boys league and a girls league. WE had two teams trying to defend their trophies this year, U18 boys and the girls. The standard of hockey was incredible high this year and the games extremely competitive. The girls had a great tournament beating the French and losing out to the eventually winners Flotbek but they all played so well especially as we welcomed a couple of new players from other clubs this weekend. The U16 boys had a tough competition and lost their first game 0-1 and winning their second 4-0 but even with the win it was not enough to lift the trophy who went to Rouen the boys did extremely well considering we had a number of goal keepers who ended up playing outfield. The U18 were defending champions and they were not going to let that go without the fight. Again the standard was really high and the boys winning their first game 5-1 and then it all came down to the final game. Our boys started slowly going 2 nil down, but they turned up the pressure and the skill level with some animated calls from the coaches on the side line to bring it back winning 3-2.
Sunday evening, we travelled to a local driving range were I not sure I can count how many balls the kids all hit before having dinner and awards presentations followed by the final party, where it was fantastic to see all of the kids mixing together along with a little help with google translate.
Monday is the dreaded day we all have to travel home with the memories and friendships that where forged that we can carry into next years tournament.
We would like to Thank our friends from Rouen and Flotbek for a fantastic weekend of hockey and look forward to next year.
Next year sees the tournament coming home to EGHC.
We hope to make it the biggest yet and all are welcome who are in the respective age groups to take part. U16 boys U16/18 Girls and U18 boys.
What is the SWS Foundation?
The Sebastian Wolff Foundation aims to enable young hockey players to visit other European cities as part of their school education, in order to deepen and broaden their skills. The opportunity to play hockey in local clubs during their stay abroad will allow young players to make human and social contacts, thus promoting a better understanding of youth within the European Community.
These objectives will be pursued globally; there is no order of precedence among them. The foundation achieves its objectives in particular by providing accommodation, by cooperating with state and private educational and vocational training institutions as well as companies to offer apprenticeships in the respective countries. During the young people's stay in the respective country, the economic conditions for their subsistence must be ensured.
What is the SWS Foundation?
The Sebastian Wolff Foundation aims to enable young hockey players to visit other European cities as part of their school education, in order to deepen and broaden their skills. The opportunity to play hockey in local clubs during their stay abroad will allow young players to make human and social contacts, thus promoting a better understanding of youth within the European Community.
These objectives will be pursued globally; there is no order of precedence among them. The foundation achieves its objectives in particular by providing accommodation, by cooperating with state and private educational and vocational training institutions as well as companies to offer apprenticeships in the respective countries. During the young people's stay in the respective country, the economic conditions for their subsistence must be ensured.
If you would like more information on the foundations exchange program please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
