Girls’ Hockey and Boys’ Rugby Half Term tours

The October half term provided the Boys’ Rugby 1^st XV and Girls’ Hockey 1^st XI the chance to test their sporting skills further afield on tour.

With the introduction of the two week half term there was the opportunity for the 1^st XV to enter the Merchiston Festival in Edinburgh for the first time.  A tournament in its third year of running, it was great for the team to enter and play against opposition different to those on their usual circuit.

Despite some tough matches, the trip was a valuable experience for the 1^st XV. The competition proved to be a fantastic learning tool and to have the opportunity to spend quality time together as a group, sharing memorable moments, cannot be underestimated and will stand the team in good stead going forward into the remaining XV fixtures in the Christmas term.  

A full report of the Edinburgh Merchiston Castle Festival can be read here: Merchiston Castle Rugby Festival

Meanwhile Canford’s 1^st XI Hockey team headed to sunny Barcelona for their much-anticipated tour. The girls enjoyed training sessions adjacent to the Olympic Stadium and at Real Club de Polo de Barcelona and played matches against Castelldefels, Trent College (on tour themselves from the UK), Club De Terrassa and Atlètic Terrassa where they drew one match and won the other three. Captain Honoré described the experience as “plenty of fun, with new friendships forged, new skills learnt, and the happiest, undefeated set of hockey players to ever grace a Spanish astro!”

Honoré’s full report of the tour to Barcelona can be read here: Barcelona Hockey Tour

Director of Sport Tony Diprose commented:

“Sports tours are not only about match play. They also offer valuable opportunities for teams to bond and such shared experiences benefit every player both on the pitch and also in terms of broader general physical and mental wellbeing. There was a lot of fun, laughter and sharing of highs and lows throughout both tours and I thank all the staff and parents also for all their support in making these trips so memorable for everyone involved.”