| Sharks' mascot |
| Group photo outside the Skarks' ground |
| Natal Sharks Win! |
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
Day 12 - Cape Town
What a final day we've had!
In the morning, the group went out-of-snow tobogganing. A great time was had by all - a few even had a close shave as they hurtled around the track - and the few hours flew by. A few land speed records were broken by three particularly brave teams: Elliot/Jonah, Remi/Naomi and Ellie/Saskia!
The afternoon brought about the final games for the tour; this time the boys took on the South Africans at football and the girls at netball. Unfortunately, the girls were beaten by the school but gave it their best shot for their final match. However, the U14 football team won 3-0 with some brilliant performances! The U15 football team conceeded a couple of unlucky goals and lost the match 5-2.
The day was rounded off with a meal out of choice followed by a presentation evening at the hotel.
Tomorrow we will begin the travel back to England after spending the morning at Signal Hill and Cape Bay.
In the morning, the group went out-of-snow tobogganing. A great time was had by all - a few even had a close shave as they hurtled around the track - and the few hours flew by. A few land speed records were broken by three particularly brave teams: Elliot/Jonah, Remi/Naomi and Ellie/Saskia!
The afternoon brought about the final games for the tour; this time the boys took on the South Africans at football and the girls at netball. Unfortunately, the girls were beaten by the school but gave it their best shot for their final match. However, the U14 football team won 3-0 with some brilliant performances! The U15 football team conceeded a couple of unlucky goals and lost the match 5-2.
The day was rounded off with a meal out of choice followed by a presentation evening at the hotel.
Tomorrow we will begin the travel back to England after spending the morning at Signal Hill and Cape Bay.
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Day 11 - Cape Town
Today was round two for Plantsbrook/Friary versus South Africa...
...but first: this morning. In the morning, the group travelled a little out of Cape Town in order to visit an underprivileged school and to practise coaching football, netball and rugby. And what an experience that was!
The group was divided up and each allocated half a class (approximately twenty students) to spend a couple of hours with. The activities on the agenda were: meeting and exchanging cultures with with the students, and coaching them sports.
It was an unforgettable experience for us all, and definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.
En route to the school where we would compete, we stopped off in Stellenbosh to eat lunch and replenish water supplies in preparation for the upcoming U13 and U15 netball matches, and rugby match.
Unfortunately, both netball teams were beaten by the school. However, everyone played well and kept their chin up in the face of defeat. The rugby team was also beaten, though at one point were leading 10-5; well done Jonah Thorpe and Elliot Newell for brilliant tries.
The matches were finished off with a seminar and a meal with the school's teams and chance to talk to the players.
Tomorrow, we will take on the South Africans again - this time at netball and football. Maybe tomorrow will be our lucky day...
...but first: this morning. In the morning, the group travelled a little out of Cape Town in order to visit an underprivileged school and to practise coaching football, netball and rugby. And what an experience that was!
The group was divided up and each allocated half a class (approximately twenty students) to spend a couple of hours with. The activities on the agenda were: meeting and exchanging cultures with with the students, and coaching them sports.
It was an unforgettable experience for us all, and definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.
En route to the school where we would compete, we stopped off in Stellenbosh to eat lunch and replenish water supplies in preparation for the upcoming U13 and U15 netball matches, and rugby match.
Unfortunately, both netball teams were beaten by the school. However, everyone played well and kept their chin up in the face of defeat. The rugby team was also beaten, though at one point were leading 10-5; well done Jonah Thorpe and Elliot Newell for brilliant tries.
The matches were finished off with a seminar and a meal with the school's teams and chance to talk to the players.
Tomorrow, we will take on the South Africans again - this time at netball and football. Maybe tomorrow will be our lucky day...
Monday, 28 July 2014
Day 10 - Cape Town
A more relaxed day for us here in South Africa.
After a rather lovely lie in, we wandered down to the local market in Cape Town to buy a few final gifts and souvenirs in the early morning - I think there was a bit of negotiation going on!
In the afternoon, the group visited Robben Island. The trip was informative and extra interesting as our tour guide was a pervious prisoner on the islands, serving twelve out of his fifteen years sentence. The ferry trip to and from the island provided a nice interlude between walks, though a little bumpy at times.
In fading daylight, another trip to the local mall was arranged en route from the Cape Town port - another good opportunity to spend those last rand and buy gifts.
Tomorrow, the rugby and netball teams will take on the South Africans again, after a morning coaching in a primary school.
After a rather lovely lie in, we wandered down to the local market in Cape Town to buy a few final gifts and souvenirs in the early morning - I think there was a bit of negotiation going on!
In the afternoon, the group visited Robben Island. The trip was informative and extra interesting as our tour guide was a pervious prisoner on the islands, serving twelve out of his fifteen years sentence. The ferry trip to and from the island provided a nice interlude between walks, though a little bumpy at times.
In fading daylight, another trip to the local mall was arranged en route from the Cape Town port - another good opportunity to spend those last rand and buy gifts.
Tomorrow, the rugby and netball teams will take on the South Africans again, after a morning coaching in a primary school.
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Day 9 - Cape Town
It's been another busy day, and another early start, for us here in South Africa.
The day began with a coach trip down to the Cape Point - the furthest point South, with the exception of Antarctica an additional three thousand miles south. It was an interesting trip, to say the least; the threat of a baboon joining you in the toilet was certainly a unique experience. Thankfully, the only baboons we saw were in the wilds of the National Park.
As a group, we made the most of the stunning views with a(n intense) walk up to the top of Cape Point - a walk which was assured to "not [be] a problem" for us young'uns. Personally, I disagree. However, the views more than made up for the trek up.
We then hopped on the coach again to visit the penguins a little further into Cape Town. It's fair to say that the penguins won many hearts that morning.
Next: Table Mountain. Though the mountain's 'cloth' was on, thus obscuring the views down into the city for the majority of the outing, it was definitely another brilliant experience. How many people can say that they've walked in amongst the clouds, let alone at such an iconic place? It was definitely another item ticked off the bucket list!
In the late afternoon, we finished the day with a visit to the local mall only a short walk away from the hotel. Once again, the group left the mall with lighter wallets and more good memories.
Tomorrow should be more relaxed with a trek around the local area in the morning, followed by a trio to Robben Island in the afternoon. What's more: we have a lie in! (Before this trip, I didn't think I would ever count 8am as a lie in!)
The day began with a coach trip down to the Cape Point - the furthest point South, with the exception of Antarctica an additional three thousand miles south. It was an interesting trip, to say the least; the threat of a baboon joining you in the toilet was certainly a unique experience. Thankfully, the only baboons we saw were in the wilds of the National Park.
As a group, we made the most of the stunning views with a(n intense) walk up to the top of Cape Point - a walk which was assured to "not [be] a problem" for us young'uns. Personally, I disagree. However, the views more than made up for the trek up.
We then hopped on the coach again to visit the penguins a little further into Cape Town. It's fair to say that the penguins won many hearts that morning.
Next: Table Mountain. Though the mountain's 'cloth' was on, thus obscuring the views down into the city for the majority of the outing, it was definitely another brilliant experience. How many people can say that they've walked in amongst the clouds, let alone at such an iconic place? It was definitely another item ticked off the bucket list!
In the late afternoon, we finished the day with a visit to the local mall only a short walk away from the hotel. Once again, the group left the mall with lighter wallets and more good memories.
Tomorrow should be more relaxed with a trek around the local area in the morning, followed by a trio to Robben Island in the afternoon. What's more: we have a lie in! (Before this trip, I didn't think I would ever count 8am as a lie in!)
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Days 6 - 8 - Durban & Cape Town
Sorry for a lack of blog posts these last few days - they've been rather hectic!
We are now in Cape Town after a day's travelling from Durban; we landed at approximately 4pm and then went straight to the hotel. Unfortunately, our cases arrived roughly four hours later as with all of the luggage the plane could not fly. Fortunately, all cases arrived albeit late.
The day was finished with an impromptu disco in the hotel's reception area in which appalling singing and dancing featured heavily in the set list.
Yesterday was a particularly early start at 5am for the animal safari. Though being up before dawn was quite a shock to the system, I think we'd all agree that it was worth it - many of us saw at least one of the big five! Later that day we went on a river cruise to see crocodiles and hippopotamuses.
The day prior to that, the group was treated to a visit to the Shakaland cultural show guided by a Zulu named "Joe". The day was both an educational and special as the trip was completed with traditional Zulu dances performed to the group.
We have not been idle in the blog post hiatus: we have had a brilliant time!
We are now in Cape Town after a day's travelling from Durban; we landed at approximately 4pm and then went straight to the hotel. Unfortunately, our cases arrived roughly four hours later as with all of the luggage the plane could not fly. Fortunately, all cases arrived albeit late.
The day was finished with an impromptu disco in the hotel's reception area in which appalling singing and dancing featured heavily in the set list.
Yesterday was a particularly early start at 5am for the animal safari. Though being up before dawn was quite a shock to the system, I think we'd all agree that it was worth it - many of us saw at least one of the big five! Later that day we went on a river cruise to see crocodiles and hippopotamuses.
The day prior to that, the group was treated to a visit to the Shakaland cultural show guided by a Zulu named "Joe". The day was both an educational and special as the trip was completed with traditional Zulu dances performed to the group.
We have not been idle in the blog post hiatus: we have had a brilliant time!
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
Day 5 - Durban
And so the games begin for the South Africa sports tour...
The day commenced with another training session, from The Sharks and South Africa's netball coach, prepping the teams for their upcoming matches in the afternoon. Once again, the knowledge and expertise passed on was invaluable - a huge thanks to them!
Early afternoon and the matches kicked off for the rugby and netball teams. Though the netballers lost both matches, they played well and were able to apply the skills honed during training sessions. The rugby team also lost their match (with a final score of 19-7) the team played well - Jonah Thorpe in particular, with a brilliant try.
As there was a small amount of daylight left, a number of the netballers celebrated the game with a trip to the beach; another game of wave jumping took place, resulting in a number of sodden girls!
Another brilliant day for us here in Durban.
Tomorrow the group will travel to Shakaland where they will be treated to a show.
The day commenced with another training session, from The Sharks and South Africa's netball coach, prepping the teams for their upcoming matches in the afternoon. Once again, the knowledge and expertise passed on was invaluable - a huge thanks to them!
Early afternoon and the matches kicked off for the rugby and netball teams. Though the netballers lost both matches, they played well and were able to apply the skills honed during training sessions. The rugby team also lost their match (with a final score of 19-7) the team played well - Jonah Thorpe in particular, with a brilliant try.
As there was a small amount of daylight left, a number of the netballers celebrated the game with a trip to the beach; another game of wave jumping took place, resulting in a number of sodden girls!
Another brilliant day for us here in Durban.
Tomorrow the group will travel to Shakaland where they will be treated to a show.
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