COACHES from Cirencester-based company Dutch UK Football School have returned from a trip to the Netherlands.

The tour involved watching matches and training at Dutch professional clubs RKC and FC Den Bosch.

The school was formed in January by local coach Paul Cooper and Dutchman Bert-Jan Heijmans, with a view to combining the positive aspects of both football cultures and help improve coaching standards in the UK.

Paul Cooper said: "It was a real education, we have a great deal to learn from the Dutch as their youth programme is recognised as the best in the world."

During their stay the coaches had a behind-the-scenes look at FC Den Bosch where Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistlerooy began his professional career. Coaches watched over 25 games including the Dutch Premiership game between RKC and Willem II.

The school will be holding a one-day introduction course for youth coaches at Cirencester Town FC on Sunday, August 24. For more details contact 01285 657688.

WOOTTON Bassett's youngsters have also been touring Holland on their annual excursion.

Organiser Chris Kirkland was joined by senior Bassett boss Pete Yeardley and the club's under 12, 13 and 14 squads for the trip.

The youth teams took on a host of their Dutch counterparts in friendly games and the group also had time to take in some top flight football, watching Feyenoord take on Vitesse and Ajax at NAC Breda.

Awards were also handed out to the club's top performers on the tour, with the Attitude, Commitment and Enthusiasm gong going to Craig Kelly, Johnny Aitkenhead and Chris Potter. The Performance, Effort and Progress award went to Jack Mason, Phil Tearle and Jason Hudson. A special award was also handed to under 13 player Michael Ford.

Meanwhile, Wootton Bassett Under 13s are celebrating after winning the Reckitt Benckiser Sportsmanship trophy in their Swindon & District Minors League division.

Bassett collected their trophy at the league's recent awards ceremony.

Purton under 11s and Blunsdon Colts under 16 were also honoured for their fair play.

Swindon & District League Sportsmanship winners:

Under 11: Purton, Under 12 Div 1: Eastville Boys, Under 12 Div 2: Stratton Youth Cirencester, Under 13 Div 1: Wootton Bassett, Under 13 Div 2: Shaw, Under 14: Stratton Jnrs, Under 16: Blunsdon Colts.