Spotlight: Autumn Hockey in Europe

When it comes to planning a sports tour for your school, the options are broad and exciting with Edwin Doran. Yet increasingly, teachers and coaches are turning towards short-haul multisport tours – and for good reason. These tours, which combine multiple sports such as rugby, cricket, hockey, netball, and football, offer a unique opportunity for a broader group of students to travel, compete, and bond. Whether you’re heading to Spain, the Netherlands, or Ireland, the benefits are tangible both on and off the pitch.

Multisport tours are inherently inclusive. Rather than focusing on just one team or sport, these tours allow multiple teams to travel together – for example, a football squad and netball team or a rugby and hockey combination. This not only broadens the appeal of the trip but also helps foster a greater sense of unity across the school.

Students from different sports bond through shared travel experiences, training sessions, and cultural excursions. The friendships built off the field often translate into stronger camaraderie and collaboration back home, even between teams that may rarely interact otherwise.

Opting for a short-haul destination makes logistics more straightforward and affordable. With flights to places like France, the Netherlands, or Germany often lasting under two hours – and in some cases replaced altogether by coach or ferry – travel time is minimised and costs are kept in check. This makes the trip more accessible for families and easier to plan for schools with tight academic calendars.

Additionally, shorter travel times mean more time to focus on what really matters: quality fixtures, team development, and immersive experiences. With well-established sporting networks across Europe, our Edwin Doran team are able to offer pre-arranged fixtures with local schools that match your teams in age and ability, ensuring every game is competitive and rewarding.

Short-haul multisport tours offer students exposure to different playing styles and coaching methods. Competing against teams from countries like Italy, Portugal or even Gibraltar gives young athletes a chance to broaden their understanding of the sport, adapt to unfamiliar conditions, and learn from others.

These tours also provide a platform to showcase versatility and cross-training benefits. For example, hockey players watching a football fixture may pick up on strategic movement or communication tactics, and vice versa. It’s an opportunity for athletes to appreciate different sporting disciplines and possibly even try something new.

One of the highlights of any sports tour is the opportunity to explore a new culture. Our short-haul destinations are rich in history, cuisine, and heritage. Whether it’s visiting the WWI battlefields in Belgium, enjoying a flamenco show in Spain, or enjoy a Gaelic Games Experience in Ireland, our tailored excursions enhance the overall experience.

These cultural outings are more than just entertainment – they provide important context to the places students are visiting, encourage curiosity, and help create lasting memories that stay with them far beyond the final whistle.

Multisport short-haul tours allow for greater flexibility in planning. With a broader pool of participants across different teams, you can often achieve better value for money on accommodation, transport and excursions. Tours can be tailored to your school’s size and sports offering, whether you’re looking to combine rugby and netball, or perhaps cricket and hockey.

Want to know more about how we can help shape your next sports tour?

We work closely with you to ensure the itinerary suits your sporting goals, school calendar, and pastoral requirements, providing a seamless experience from start to finish.

Short-haul destinations are often the perfect stepping stone for younger students or those embarking on their first tour abroad. The familiarity of European culture, shorter travel durations, and easy communication all help to ease nerves and build confidence – both for the students and the parents sending them off.

“Multisport tours have transformed the way schools approach travel. They bring more students together, create a real buzz across multiple teams, and offer incredible value. With so many great short-haul options just a short flight or coach ride away, it’s never been easier to combine top-quality fixtures with unforgettable experiences.”

-Toby Douglas, Head of Sales

A short-haul multisport tour isn’t just a trip – it’s an investment in your players’ growth, confidence, and connection to their sport and teammates. Whether you’re taking your netball and hockey teams to the Netherlands, or combining football and rugby in Italy, these tours offer a rich blend of competitive fixtures, cultural discovery, and shared memories.