Activities

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  • Team Sheets
  • Netball Tour 2011
  • Cricket Tour 2011
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Tour Update

The winter chill seems a million miles away as we settle in to the early part of our tour in St Lucia. The girls are having a wonderful time, early morning swims in the sea wonderful buffet breakfasts and even late afternoon netball practices have got us to off to an enjoyable start.

As I write I can hear the high pitched squeals coming from the hotel pool. Cries of 'EUREKA'
echo around. Yesterday was a hot and we survived an afternoon on the beach with nobody getting burnt. Slopping on the high factors has been the routine. The girls dressed up for supper at the local beach bar and all looked lovely.

The sea air has given them astonishing appetites and they had no problem tackling the generous portions that came before them. Rose Smith could eat for England!

We are looking forward to the first matches later on this afternoon. Shirley Temples all round if we win!

We played our opening matches yesterday afternoon and found ourselves on a steep learning curve. Having to adjust to playing in the heat of the afternoon and trying to adapt to the fast paced Caribbean game we had our work cut out. The fact that our St Lucian opponents towered over us did not help. A slow start but as the 1/4s unfolded we tuned in and our game improved at an astonishing rate. We began to build our passing game and we competed ferociously at every opportunity. There is no doubt that the netball here is every bit as competitive as we find in Barbados.

We have just arrived back from an exhilarating 1/2 day with SCUBA STEVE and his snorkelling team. Whizzing down the coast we saw the breathtaking scenery of St Lucia and arrived at the marine park below the majestic PITONS. The coral was alive with colour and we saw fish of every description.

Lunch is finished and we are now getting ready to play our second match.

Tonight we will have supper on the beach.

Thursday, 6th Jan 2011

A fantastic day. Great netball, exhilarating boat trip / snorkelling and dancing to the steel band before bed. We are getting ready to move on to Barbados.

Friday, 7th Jan 2011

Both of our teams were in action today. Our Bs were in action playing St Andrew's in the North East of the island in the parish of St Andrew's, in a region locally known as Scotland. On arrival we were greeted by hundreds of pupils who were enjoying their mid morning break. They immediately made us feel welcome. The Principle arrived and in no time we were enjoying the school choir entertaining us. Not only the choir, we were presented with the school cheer leaders who gave us a wonderful display of pom poms / music and acrobatics. We felt like royalty! After the Principle had led prayers, in which we all participated, the action began.

It was as if we were overawed by the occasion as we let the St Andrew's girls play speedy netball and rack up a healthy lead. It was not until the 3rd / 4th quarter that we stepped up our game and outplayed / outscored our hosts. This late burst was not enough to secure overall victory. Our hosts treated us to match tea and with a hundred pairs of hands waving us off we returned back to the South Coast to recover.

In the afternoon our A squad played Foundation Secondary. We knew that we in for a tough match when the opposition arrived. Tall / athletic and skilful we did everything we could to make an impact. The over head game they played was very effective and with a goal shooter that was as cool as ice their strike rate in the circle was very high. Our girls did not lie down and they are learning to play a more physical / feisty game. Lily Lovell was superb as our goal defence today, she rose to the challenge and made life very difficult for the Foundation attack. We could not play an over the top game and played short sharp passes to create space. Annabel Simpson deserves credit for her strike rate as her chances were limited. Score L 24 - 6

In the evening we went to the Plantation Club. This is a dinner / dance / caberet club that presents the history of Barbados through song / dance. Our girls dressed in their best glad-rags and stole the show as they danced and partied their way through the evening.

Mrs Owen / Jack Avery continued a fine St Hugh's tradition and won the annual limbo competitions, with a little help from the screaming masses [our girls].

An early start tomorrow and supper at Oistins fish market in the evening.

Saturday, 8th January 2011

An early breakfast and off to the parish of St Phillip to play the NSC Development squad. This was without doubt the most competitive of our matches to date.

Both teams played some very fluid netball and it was encouraging to see the progress that many of our girls have made in such a short space of time. We had enthusiastic support from our own BARMY ARMY and the encouragement they gave was important. Honours were shared. The A squad won 9 - 6. The B squad lost 9-6. Feeling positive about the outcome we returned to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool, lunch on the deck and hours of fun cooling off in the sea. 

A great day all round! Tonight we will head off to Oistins fish market for supper and street dancing.

Sunday: Millionaires for a day!

We have just returned from what is possibly the best day of the tour so far. Cruising the west coast on our privately chartered catamaran.Our party of 42, consisting of players / mums / dads/ staff / ex staff and friends have enjoyed a fantastic day. The Silver Moon whisked us under sail to swim with turtles at Paynes Bay. Mask and snorkles on, the girls were quick to get into the crystal clear water. Our guide sprinkled a little food into the water and in no time turtles surrounded the boat. The girls and everyone else on board were mesmerised by how close they were to these beautiful creatures. A short journey up the coast we stopped again at the marine park and snorkelled over the coral reef. There was an abundance of underwater life and fish of every description and colour.

Further up the coast we dropped anchor just off  shore where Simon Cowell takes his X Factor contestants [ Spring Cove House]. The girls were very excited when someone walked along one of the balconies and waved towards us. The shrieks of 'Simon,Simon, Simon !!!' shattered the silence. As far as the girls are concerned it was Simon Cowell, not just the gardener. Jumping off the boat was great fun. Catch of the day went to Mrs Newland as she dived to save Mr As hat from going overboard.

We have had a magical day! Tonight we shall walk to St Lawrence Gap for supper.

Tomorrow we are looking forward to our last match against Springer School and an evening at the Harbour Lights club.


Tuesday, 11th January

Yesterday we had breakfast on the deck overlooking the sea and a photo shoot to start our day. Some of the girls had final hair braiding and then we were off to Springer school for our last match. The mention of Springer in these parts draws a deep sigh from the locals who simply say 'good luck' and then smile as they walk away.

Springer is the only girls school on the island. They are more than competitive and revered in all they do. A case of into the lions den. The sight of the canopy under which we were going to play came as a huge relief to the girls. Strangely it was more useful at protecting us from a torrential storm than the intense sunshine. As hard as we tried it was difficult to complete our possession and convert into goals. The Springer girls sprang around the court and shut down our passing options. The shooting ring seemed to attract every Bajan attempt on goal and they ran out comfortable winners. 17 - 2.

This did not dampen our spirits. We regrouped and headed out to the Harbour Lights Club. Live music / cabaret and lots of audience participation gave our shy / retiring girls the opportunity to forget the match. With staff and parents finding no place to hide the beach setting was perfect for St Hugh's party domination. Mr / Mrs Lovell along with Mrs Smith and a strong staff presence that included Mrs Soames and Mrs Lewis all entered into the spirit of the occasion. Great fun and a very enjoyable last night.

The end is in sight! Bags are being packed and the floors in the girls rooms that have not seen daylight for 5 days are re emerging to enjoy sunshine once again. Some last minute shopping and off to the airport at 3.00pm.

See you all very soon!!!!!!!