Our Boys U16 have recently returned from an amazing tour to the TEEH Tournament in Terrassa near Barcelona. The official tour report is as follows:
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
- The Mission: Introduce the tour details. Bray Hockey Club sent a squad of 20 players and 2 coaches to the prestigious Torneig Europeu d'Escoles de Hockey (TEEH) in Terrassa, Spain. We were also joined by 4 players from Stade Lausanne Hockey Club in Switzerland.
- The Setting: Hosted at the historic Club Deportiu Terrassa (Spain's oldest field hockey club, founded in 1910) located in the stunning natural setting of Matadepera, just outside Barcelona.
- The Buzz: This wasn't just any tournament; it was the landmark 25th anniversary of the TEEH, featuring over 900 players and 90 teams from Spain, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Ireland.
2. On the Pitch
- The Competition: The U16 Boys faced elite European hockey clubs (including powerhouse Spanish clubs like CD Terrassa, Valencia, and FC Barcelona).
- The Growth: Playing in high temperatures and against fast-paced continental styles, the 20-strong squad showed immense grit, technical adaptability, and classic Bray spirit.
- The Games: The U16A team competed in the Red Group, putting in some excellent performances against CD Terrassa (0-1), Menorca (0-0), Valencia (0-5), Ondarreta (3-0) and Lloberu (3-0) and finishing of the week with a 1-0 win against Agonex which saw them finishing 5th overall. The U16B team put in some immense performances in the White Group where they played against CD Terrassa B (0-1), San Vicente (0-5), Agonex (0-1), FC Barcelona (0-4) and finished the week on a high with a 2-1 win against Ondaretta.
3. Off the Pitch
- Club Life: When not on the pitches, the boys made the absolute most of CD Terrassa’s top-tier facilities, heavily utilizing the outdoor swimming pool to cool off between fixtures and the padel courts to keep limber.
- The TEEH Experience: True to the tour's mission of creating lifelong memories, the boys immersed themselves in the social side of the weekend—culminating in the tournament’s "International Party" complete with a DJ, team dinner and a very competitive football match against Valencia (and others) on the main pitch..
- Building Connections: Trading club gear and making fast friends with our new Swiss teammates as well as many of the Spanish teams embodied what "Bray on Tour" is all about.
4. Special Commemorations & Thank Yous
- Award Winners!: Bray HC was awarded the “Spirit of the Tournament” award to recognise their contribution to the tournament both on and off the pitch.
- The Support Team: Basil Mulligan and John Lush received huge thanks and appreciation for managing 20 teenage boys in the Spanish heat, and we would also like to thank the tournament organisers and volunteers at CD Terrassa who kept the massive event running seamlessly.
- Our Swiss Teammates: The four boys, Baz, Danny, Henry and Peter, from Stade Lausanne made a huge contribution to both of our teams, both on and off the pitch and we hope to see them again soon.
- Our Supporters: A massive thank you to the club, supporters, players, sponsors and parents who made significant contributions to our fundraising efforts (see below for full list). Without the community's financial backing, this exceptional experience wouldn't have been possible.
5. Conclusion & Looking Ahead
- The Verdict: A resounding success. The boys return to Ireland not just as better hockey players, but with a tighter team bond and memories to last a lifetime.
- Next Stop: The bar has been set high for the 2026/27 season, and the club is already looking forward to future international ventures!
Finally, a big thanks to all of our fundraising contributors!
- Everyone who took part in the Summer Sevens Fundraising tournaments in June
- Raffle Prize provided by Two Fifty Square Speciality Coffee Roasters
- Sponsor a Player
- Claire connolly
- Damian McHugh
- Fitzgerald Gonzalez
- Ilenia russo
- Miguel Fitzgerald
- Miriam Byrne
- Niamh Connolly
- Tournament Donations
- Alison McKenna
- Anonymous
- Clíodhna Reid
- David Alison and Marian Gorman
- Farzana Maudarbaccus
- Jonathan Craig
- Kate Delany
- Madge Conboy Browne
- Mairead Kelly
- Marian Bradley
- Marina Sánchez
- Paul McGowan
- Pauline C
- Rebecca Dowling
- Rhys Gorman
- Trudi Ann Comerford
- Vineta Clegg
- Other Donations
- Alan Sheehan
- Anonymous (you know who you are :-)
- John Lush
- Sarah Finnegan
