Senior Sports Tour 2011: The Barcelona Report
Meeting very early at Prestwick Airport, the 51 pupils and 6 staff set off on an unforgettable weekend of culture and sport. “Teams Together” had been the catchphrase for the build up to the tour, and with senior boys and girls hockey teams combining with the senior rugby boys, the tour matches would give everyone the opportunity to see each other play.
Our flight which landed early was treated to the customary Ryanair trumpet, all tourists and bags arrived safely, followed by a smooth transit to our hotel in Vilanova il a Gentru just south of Barcelona. We were greeted with a gruff but sincere “Hey” by our driver for the weekend, Andres, and all our welcomes were as friendly and enthusiastic.
After eating a mountain of pasta and finding some room for a second course of meats and sausages, it was game preparation for the hockey squads, and a run around on the beach for the rugby boys.
Off to the Polo Club for hockey, to find an international show jumping event in full swing at the most exclusive and expensive of sports clubs in Barcelona. Three Astros thirty something tennis courts all with small stands surrounding them, children being coached at every level of the game. The club was amazing. Having waited for Oxford University Ladies to finish their preseason practice our boys had two halves of 30 minutes against Polo Clubs A and B teams, losing 2 – 1 to the B’s and 2 – 0 to the A’s. Both games were very fast and competitive with Hutchie certainly challenging right up to the final whistle of both games. Our Girls faired a little better coming out winners of their match of hockey, 2 – 0 winners.
Friday was our day of culture, but after a really long day, some tough matches and a great deal of talking into the wee hours, the lie in was also much appreciated. We walked through Vilanova to the train station and caught the train to Passaig de Gracia in the heart of Barcelona. From there we walked to Placa Catalunya and identified the meet points for later. Various groups then departed on the cities bus tours Blue to the Camp Nou and a tour of the football stadium, Red for Mont Juic and the Olympic Stadium, and a few experienced Barcelona tourists took to the streets of Las Ramblas and walked down to the harbour. All were amazed by the sights, inspired by the amount of sporting opportunities and spent time with friends old and new.
A meal at the Hard Rock Café and a birthday cake for one of the party, was followed with an entertaining 50 minutes before the meet for the return train journey home. A tired and hyper group passed the time back to Vilanova.
Saturday – Game day began with early breakfast and bus to the University of Barcelona’s Sports Faculty. Here CEU Rugby entertained our rugby team. A physical encounter saw Hutchesons’ come out 32 – 5 winners and many friends were made on the pitch and in their club rooms afterwards. The hockey teams had the rare chance to see the boys play, and saw a fast and well organised Hutchie team control possession and score some very good tries. As the rugby teams met after the game, the hockey squads left for the Olympic Park and the eagerly awaited matches against the hockey section of FC Barcelona. The boys played first and had a purple patch in the first half leading 3 – 0 at the interval. The second half saw a come-back from the hosts, but the final score line of 4 – 3 to Hutchesons’ was a fair reflection on the game. As one of our S4 Hockey Boy’s said, “We’ve just beaten FC Barcelona in Barcelona!!”
The girls game followed. It was a very hard match against a very strong FC Barcelona Under 20’s squad. Nil – nil for a long time, the deadlock was broken with a converted penalty flick, and then another well taken goal shortly afterwards. Hutchie got back into the game and brought the game back to 2 – 1, but another well taken goal by our accomplished hosts, gave for a final score of 3 – 1 to the famous club. Team photos were taken, and a light buffet shared with the opposition. The atmosphere at the Hockey stadium was tremendous with Spanish parents and friends cheering on the home side and all our tour party encouraging and cheering on our teams as well.
Back to Vilanova for a disappointing wait for an al fresco final meal, during which the party showed great patience, as the pizzas took hours to arrive. However, as the group got on so well the time passed quickly with lively conversation and fun was had by all. There was some notable excitement when small crickets came to visit the tables.
More chat into the morning and a very early wake up to check out and leave for our return flights. Everyone had their passports, almost everyone had their boarding passes at security, and we were home with much hilarity and comradeship on the flight home. Four days away but many great memories to hold.
Thanks must go to the staff that travelled and coached the players, Miss Simpson and Miss McNaught with Girls Hockey. Mr Sorbie and Mrs Lang with Boys Hockey and Mr Forrester and Mr Wyatt with Rugby.
Played 5 won 3. Every team winning one game. Everyone playing and everyone supporting.
“Teams Together” “We beat FC Barcelona in Barcelona.”
View the Tour Gallery here.
