A group of forty-seven Wallace boys’ hockey players and five staff recently went on tour to Edinburgh, enjoying a fantastic trip. The purpose of this tour was to provide opportunities for players across several year groups and teams to develop skills in preparation for upcoming school competitions. It also offered a chance for players to spend quality time with their teammates and build new friendships, strengthening team cohesion and morale.
Table of Contents
The tour began with an early 4:45 a.m. start as members gathered in the front car park for transport to Larne and the ferry crossing to Cairnryan. The coastal skies were clear and sunny as we set sail, but by the time we neared Edinburgh in the early afternoon, we were greeted by a grey skyline and the traditional Edinburgh “haar” (fog).
Fixtures
The weather didn’t deter the teams, who began the tour with winning starts against George Watson’s College on the excellent water-based pitch at Peffermill.
Results against George Watson’s College were as follows:
- Under-13s won 1-0 (Arthur Donnan)
Player of the Match (POTM): Jamie Davidson - Under-15s won 7-0 (Josh Williams 4, Nathan Spence 3)
POTM: Josh Williams - 1st XI won 3-0 (Finn Thompson, Max Turner, James Gorman)
POTM: Ant Spence
After the games, we enjoyed excellent Scottish hospitality, with food provided before departing for our city-centre accommodation. From there, we headed to Fountain Park for ten-pin bowling, where burgers and chips were demolished, and bowling skills were put to the test. With early matches the next morning, everyone was happy to get a good night’s rest.
Saturday morning’s games were against Stewart’s Melville College, another prestigious school with a rich hockey history. Once again, our hosts gave us a royal welcome, and we were fortunate to play on a newly laid water-based pitch.
Results against Stewart’s Melville College were as follows:
- Under-13s won 5-2 (Arthur Donnan 2, Oscar Benson, Adam Carson, Ollie McCartney)
POTM: Callum Donald - Under-15s lost 3-4 (Josh Williams 2, Daniel McClughan)
POTM: Daniel McClughan - 1st XI won 8-2 (Max Turner 3, Milo Thompson 2, James Gorman, Joseph Bennett, Harry Gowdy)
POTM: Milo Thompson
Team Building
Afterwards, the tour group headed to Portobello Beach, enjoying football and cricket games on the sand. Many also took the opportunity to enjoy ice creams and the beachfront amusement arcade. For some of the boys, this was a first visit to Portobello and a memorable highlight of the weekend. The day concluded with a walk to Pizza Express, where everyone devoured their meals after a busy day of fresh air and activities.
Awards
Sunday was mainly a travel day, but we held an awards ceremony to celebrate the Players of the Matches and awarded Ellis Shanks as Best Senior Tourist and Arthur Donnan as Best Junior Tourist. It was a weary but happy group that returned to the front car park at 7:00 p.m. that evening.
As always, tours wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation of staff, who gave up their weekend to support the teams. Special thanks go to Mr McKnight, Mr Simpson, Mr Harper, and Ben Nelson for their good humour and support, and to Clyde Shanks for sponsoring our tour tops, which received warm comments throughout the trip. These trips help strengthen team spirit, develop sporting talents, and reinforce valuable life skills for the students.
Reflections
Reflecting on a successful tour, Mr Kidd stated:
“It was fantastic to see the boys’ dedication and camaraderie throughout the weekend. They represented the school admirably, both on and off the pitch, and each player contributed to the tour’s success. Our hosts were wonderful, and we’re grateful for their hospitality and these valuable opportunities for our teams.”
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You may also want to find out about our Primary School Hockey Outreach Programme:
Last modified: November 15, 2024
