League Football Education (LFE) has teamed up with Dutch giants Feyenoord to host its 'Leonardo Pre-Season tour' programme for young football Apprentices from Crystal Palace F.C. The youngsters head off to Holland today as they step up their pre-season preparations ahead of the new campaign. The Tour, which is designed to enhance the organisation's Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (ASE) experience, will see the Apprentices from Selhurst Park take up temporary residence at De Kuip where they will get the chance to sample a different football culture and to broaden their horizons both personally and professionally.

Funded by the Leonardo Da Vinci Mobility Programme, the 'Leonardo Life Long Learning' programme will provide numerous opportunities for the young talent on this Dutch tour. They will train with professional coaches from some of the biggest clubs in Europe and at the host clubs' state-of the-art facilities. In addition, the lads will get a chance to compete on an international level in games against the Qatar u19 national team.

Dan Jolley, project manager at LFE, says: "This is the second year we've been awarded funds for our 'Leonardo Life Long Learning' programme, which is very encouraging on two levels. Not only is it recognition that our objectives are strongly aligned with those of the European Commission's Lifelong Learning Programme's to exchange best practice between European nations, increase staff expertise and develop learners' skills, but it also allows us to support young English football talent and take the work we already do as an organisation to an even greater level.

"Some 53 of our Apprentices will be heading to Holland this week and we've no doubt that they will have a really great experience getting to know the country, culture and cuisine and hopefully pick up a few useful footie tips along the way!"