Our senior girls hockey players and coaching staff recently returned from an amazing tour to Valencia. Following on from a successful tour to Madrid in 2023, this tour provided players the opportunity to have fun with their team mates and prepare for the forthcoming cup season.
The account below was written by the Year 12 squad members who went on the tour and you can tell they had a fantastic time. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
Day One
The alarm went off… the excitement sank in… WE WERE GOING TO VALENCIA! A wave of excitement followed us all through Belfast International Airport, along with a few sleepy yawns. Decked out in our new tour kit, we were easily spotted after check-in, and before we knew it, we were skipping through the gate and onto the plane. It’s safe to say it should have just been us on that plane, given the amount of space our luggage took up.
After safely landing at Alicante Airport, we fuelled ourselves with a quick lunch, bypassing traditional Spanish cuisine for a Spanish Burger King this time, allowing us to sit back, relax, and enjoy the two-hour bus journey to Valencia. The stunning Spanish landscape made the journey worthwhile… well, for those who managed to keep their eyes open. Sleepy heads were roused for a quick hotel check-in before transferring to Polideportivo Beteró, our hockey base for the trip and the location of our first competitive match against Valencia.
It was interesting to adjust to the different style of hockey played in Spain, but despite our tiredness from travelling, we came out on top with a 2-1 win, lifting spirits for the evening and the matches ahead. After returning to our hotel, we enjoyed a well-deserved Spanish buffet, featuring a spread of delicious cultural dishes. We can confidently say the food was fantastic—no plate was left unfinished. To end the day, we had some relaxation and team bonding time before an early “lights out” to re-energise for Day 2.
Day Two
Or… Day 1 of waking up in Valencia! We had an early start, transferring to Polideportivo Beteró for our second and third matches of the trip. After a quick breakfast at the hotel to energise ourselves, we boarded the bus, pumped up with energetic music. Did someone say Mamma Mia? Even our tour guide Jesse enjoyed our “Irish” playlist!
The warmth and sunshine hit us as we stepped off the bus, and the exhilarating realisation sank in—we were actually in Spain. Both matches were back-to-back, giving everyone the opportunity to play and support each other. The support stand buzzed with energy, and some players even tested their Spanish speaking skills with their opponents. Cross-curricular learning at its best!
The first game ended in a 2-0 win for WHS against FHCV, while the second finished 0-2 in FHCV’s favour. After the matches, we enjoyed some “cold saltwater recovery” at the beach. Of course, Lara was the one who threw herself into the sea!
That afternoon, we returned to our pitch base and met Mario, a Spanish coach who led our training session. The sun was blazing, and the vibe was high-energy. The training session was tough, but honestly, who can complain when you’re in Valencia?
Day Three
Another sunny day in Valencia! We woke bright and early for a breakfast buffet at the hotel. We sampled Spanish delicacies such as patatas bravas, churros, and magdalenas. Even the Spanish appreciate bacon, eggs, and toast, along with much-needed caffeine—all of which got us ready for the day.
Our hotel served as a central base for multiple sports teams, so it was fun comparing kits with Spanish footballers and basketball players. Next on our packed itinerary was a bus transfer to Polideportivo Beteró for our final training session with Mario. We thoroughly enjoyed learning new skills from his perspective.
After burning off breakfast energy, we were treated to lunch by the hockey club, featuring Spanish food that far surpassed any McDonald’s! It was the perfect fuel for the afternoon’s activity: stand-up paddleboarding at Patacona Beach. Some of us took to it more easily than others, but everyone had an amazing time. Our laughter even attracted curious Spanish locals, watching our antics in the surf.
Post-paddle boarding, we returned to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. The paella was exceptional, but chicken nuggets and chips were also a hit for those craving a taste of home. After dinner, we held our Day 3 tour meeting and voted for the day’s “awards.” Ella and Imogen A were nominated multiple times—that’s all we can say! Tired but happy, we went to bed, ready for our final evening of the tour.
Day Four
After a few busy days, it was time to unwind. We began with a leisurely breakfast buffet before checking out of the hotel. Boarding the bus, we headed into central Valencia for some much-needed retail therapy and cultural exploration.
Our first stop was the City of Arts and Sciences Museum, situated in a beautiful park. The gift shop tempted us to spend our Euros, and some of us braved an incredible virtual reality experience. The Christmas market stalls were still open, adding a festive atmosphere to the streets.
Afterwards, we took a short walk through the city centre, filled with a variety of cafés, restaurants, and boutiques. It was definitely a unique experience to sit outside, sipping coffee beside orange trees full of fruit and oversized Christmas trees. We got our shopping “fix” and may have indulged a little too much in retail therapy, but four hours later, our time in the city had run out, and we had to begin our journey back to Alicante Airport.
We said farewell to our amazing Spanish (but actually Dutch) host, Jesse, leaving him with a little bit of “Irish” to remember us by. Most of us were fast asleep before we left the suburbs of Valencia, but for those still awake, the physical impact of the recent devastating floods was clearly visible.
Alicante Airport drained the last of our Euro coins, and although we were sad to leave Spain, we were also looking forward to getting home to our own beds.
We boarded our flight with memories made to last a lifetime. Our favourite hockey memories? The bond we built as a team, both on and off the pitch. The way we supported each other on the pitch, taking on teams that played a different style to ours. The way we cheered each other on from the sidelines, with one team in action and the other watching. The time we spent together in our “downtime” created unbreakable bonds, making every victory and challenge more meaningful.
An unforgettable start to 2025!
Written by:
Year 12 Squad members
Trip Summary
Reflecting on another successful hockey tour to Spain, Mrs Hinds stated:
‘Once again our hockey teams enjoyed a fantastic tour. It was great for players to be able to bond and this tour provided us with the opportunity to prepare for the forthcoming Schools Cup run. Thank you to all my fellow coaches for making this trip such a great success.’
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Last modified: February 6, 2025
