How a rugby shirt travels

When we visited Langa Township today imagine our surprise when we saw a boy wearing an old Shiplake rugby shirt. We asked him where he got it from and he said from a school team who visited two years ago. The blue letters on the front of the shirt said "AM". Burr House, because of the blue. AM.................. Adam Middleton, last year's Head of College!!!! Dad says Mrs Middleton has been looking for that shirt for ages but we knew Adam had given it away when he came with the last tour.

How amazing is that?!!!

Anna

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1st Day Training

At 9.00am this morning 26 boys turned up for their first immense training session. They first started in a classroom with Mr Curtis and Mr Unsworth giving them a talk about admin. and giving out kit or "stash". The kit is really cool.

I wandered up with a big camera ready to snap away at the boys which I hope they didn't mind. When I got to New Field the boys were split into two groups, forwards and backs, or Dad says those who can't dance and those who can! Both groups did different drills and a lot of running. The boys looked really puffed but the "dancers" looked less tired. I took a few photos and you can find them at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/anna7davies/SATour1stDayTraining#

I hope you like them. I will head over there tomorrow to see them practice again with my camera. Dad says some of them better have shaved!!!

by Anna

The Players

Playing rugby in South Africa in July will be really tough. It is their winter and they will be part way through their rugby season. We will have had two days training before we go! The boys will have to learn and adapt very quickly but, whatever the results, the experience of playing will be good for them when their season starts in September.



Most of the players who are going played for the Under 16 XV last autumn. They were undefeated. Mr Andy Dix and Mr Cane-Hardy were their coaches. Mr Dix used to be in charge of the 1st XV before he became a dad of twins and housemaster of Skipwith House! The other boys going have already played for the 1st XV or 2nd XV so know what senior schools rugby is about.

Preview

A week on Thursday 26 boys from Year 13 and Year 12 will be going on a South African Rugby Tour. The staff are: Mr.G Davies (Tour Manager), Mrs.A Davies, Mr.D Seymour and Mr.A Unsworth. And of course me, Anna Davies, who will be main supporter, photographer and diarist during our time in SA!

The boys will be put through immense training and tough opposition in SA.

Firstly we will be travelling to Cape Town from Heathrow. The journey will take about 12 hours so I would make sure all of your Ipods are well charged!

The boys will have 2 days of training at Shiplake with Mr. Curtis, Mr. Unsworth and Mr. Davies. As you all know the three teachers put together will make the training extremely hard 2 days!

I will be updating this diary when I get more information and when we are on the trip!

By Anna Davies