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.

Game Reserve

On Thursday 30th July the team will be travelling to Entabeni Game Reserve for 1 night. The team will be sleeping in Luxury tents over looking the Game Reserve!

At around 3:30 pm we will be going on a late afternoon game drive into the reserve, hopefully seeing 'The Big 5'.

The next morning no one will be very pleased because they will be having a wake up call at 5:30 am for a hot drink then at 6:30 am we will go for an early morning game drive!

This morning is the perfect chance to see all of the animals on the reserve as the sun rises!

We will be having a wonderful breakfast after we come back!

By Anna Davies

What is in Cape Town

When the team arrive in Cape Town this is hopefully what they will be doing!

The boys will have a lot to look forward to;
from Table Top Mountain to the Waterfront etc. Last time the boys went to Table Top Mountain the cable car had broken down and they had to climb the Mountain but hopefully this time for the boys the cable car will be working (though Dad wants them to climb it anyway!)

The Waterfront is a massive shopping mall! For Mum and I it will be great but I'm not sure about the rest of the team!

Cape Town is a brilliant place! The lights, the sights, the beaches and not to mention the fantastic cafes and restaurants!

Usually Dad goes for long walks very early in the morning! I hope he doesn't take the boys (and especially me). I would be so embarassed!

Also to look forward to is the visit to the Cape of Good Hope which is where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

You can't forget the penguins on Boulder's Beach in Simonstown! Normally the boys would have a quick look then get out. They don't always seem that interested!

I shall be updating you with all the places that we are going to and the training sessions!

By Anna Davies

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