​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Summer Sports Tour To South Africa Was Spectacular​​​​​​​

Taking a squad of 95 pupils and 12 staff, playing four sports, Rugby, Football, Netball and Hockey, the tour travelled to Cape Town, then on to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Pilanesberg for a fortnight full of keenly contested matches and spectacular sightseeing.

The Rugby, Football, Netball and boys’ and girls’ Hockey teams participated in six days of good spirited and competitive training and matches against school and club teams. Our South African hosts were so hospitable, and the training and matches were great experiences for all, with valuable lessons learnt both on and off the field.

Away from the sports field, the tour offered participants the chance to broaden their horizons with sightseeing and educational experiences that included the history of South Africa with tours of Soweto and the Apartheid Museum. Pupils also took part in an eye-opening tour of Cape Town’s oldest back township and got up close and personal with the wildlife in game drives at Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The tour party all enjoyed the spectacular scenery of Table Mountain in Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula, including the charming costal town of Hout Bay.

Lee Cassell, Foundation Director of Sport, and leader of the tour, said, “South Africa is a truly stunning country, passionate and fiercely competitive in its sport. We had another excellent trip and played some inspiring matches and I know that our Princethorpe pupils will have returned home with plenty of wonderful memories.”

Our thanks go to all the staff involved in putting together and running the South Africa Sports Tour. We look forward to the experiences translating into positive results on the pitches over the coming season.