Scholars Louis White and Musamyba Kisimba are excited for the Youth Team’s 12-night stay in Holland, as part of a pre-season trip organised by League Football Education (LFE).
They depart for their venue of VVV Venlo on Tuesday morning, where they will train and play three matches against foreign sides during the stay.
Second-year scholar White is hoping he can learn whilst in Holland, and develop his game.
“It will be a great experience, in a country abroad playing football, you can’t really get much better can you?” said White.
“It should be good to train and play a few games out there, and hopefully learn some new things.
“I’ve never been to Holland, so it will be nice to see the country. We’re going to the Dutch Super Cup, PSV against Feyenoord, which will be a good game to watch and see how the Dutch play football, they’ve got an attacking mindset towards it. So we’ll see how free-flowing their football actually is.”
Kisimba was one of Dale’s new intake of scholars this summer, having progressed through the Dale Academy, and appeared for the Youth Team on a number of occasions last year despite being an under-16.
“It’s been quite easy to settle in because I’ve been playing in the Youth Team since under-15s and under-16s,” said Kisimba.
“It’s really different though. You train every day and it’s really hard at times compared to the Academy, but you just get used to it.
“You have to work harder, because the intensity is higher, but I think I’m doing well, and I’m enjoying it.”
The hard work will continue in Holland, a trip Kisimba is looking forward to.
“It’s really good to go abroad on the pre-season tour. You can learn from what they’re doing over there and hopefully take it in our stride and improve.
“We’re doing double sessions which will be good, because we should be able to learn some new things which we can take back with us.”
The Youth Team have played three friendlies since returning to pre-season, with a further three to come in Holland, and White is enjoying the responsibility of being a second-year scholar and helping Dale’s new scholars settle in to life at the club.
“They’re a year younger so you have that responsibility of introducing them to the surroundings.
“Most of the lads are new, only a few have come through the Academy, so we’re teaching them the philosophies of the club and how they should play.”
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