On the afternoon of 25 April, the EDM linked up with Roland Lefebvre (recently employed by the KNCB to assist with development within the country) in Rotterdam, where the final stage of the European `Imagination' Roadshow was due to take place.

A brief visit was made to the future site of Cricketclub VOC Rotterdam, where there are plans to develop a ground fulfilling all the criteria for ODI status, along with two further junior grounds offering turf pitches, an indoor centre and a modern clubhouse and hospitality facilities.

After a short trip to the existing club, the EDM met Mike Flockhart and Bruce Smuts and watched their session, which included over 50 cricketers ranging in age from 7-12 years old. The boys and girls enjoyed the vibrant manner in which the session was conducted and many parents stayed to watch, with one or two joining in to assist.

Skills were taught, games were played, prizes handed out and numerous photographs taken making it a rewarding day for all including the club whose organising secretary confirmed to the EDM that they were delighted to have recruited a number of new members as a result of this promotional initiative.

An 8.15 am start on the morning of Friday 26 April allowed the roadshow crew to arrive at the American International School in time for the second lesson of the day, a combined class of 70 pupils, boys and girls, ranging in sizes and ages from 7-12 years.

Cricket had been squeezed into the physical education program twice a year by highly enthusiastic teacher Reg Atkins, assisted by visits from Roland Lefebvre, who confirmed the enthusiasm that existed within the school. A wide variety of games, all designed to improve the hand-eye co-ordination of the pupils, are covered and Reg saw cricket as an ideal opportunity to give the pupils something different from the traditional sports played in the American system.

A superb facility allowed the roadshow to combine high impact warm up games with traditional skills practices. The throwing and catching of the pupils was of a high standard and they appeared particularly inspired to perform with the aid of the music blasting from the one remaining speaker (the other having blown a fuse as a result of three weeks on the road!)

The session was watched by a number of older pupils and teachers who dropped in as they either heard the music drifting across the school or were told of the goings-on by pupils or fellow members of staff. All in all, a highly successful visit which reinforced the message that cricket can be a fun addition to the curriculum.

En route to the afternoon session at Hermes CC, the EDM, accompanied by KNCB Vice-President, Hans Dronkers, visited the sports centres and adjoining hotel in Schiedam where, it is hoped, a future European indoor tournament may be staged. The facilities, all within walking distance of one another, and a 10-minute drive from Rotterdam airport, were highly impressive, and the sport centers (used to stage international softball tournaments) offered impressive playing and hospitality facilities as well as recreational alternatives. Following the 2003 tournament, to be staged in Denmark, countries will be offered the opportunity to put in a request to host the 2004 event and, along with Schiedam, there certainly appear to be a number of highly impressive options.

The final leg of the Holland tour witnessed the worst weather that the crew had encountered to date, but the squash courts at Hermes CC provided a dry and bright alternative venue for the roadshow. Running between three courts, Bruce and Mike conducted a full programme with over 40 children, watched by a crowded spectator gallery including both KNCB President (RenČ Van Ierschot) and Vice-President (Hans Dronkers).

The excited children completed the session, unaccompanied by music, yet enthusiastically encouraged by both parents and coaches, whose voices were finally showing the strain after all the preceding sessions. A fond farewell was made as the trailer disappeared out of the ground, heading towards its final destination, Paris, and the climax to an unbelievable five weeks on the road.