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U18 Girls Australia Tour 2005

Dates: Jul 17 to Jun 29 2005

Age Group: Girls Ages 15-18

Location: Melbourne, Ballarat, Shepparton & Sydney

Favorite Memories

On a hot June evening, a group of girls and one coach boarded a plane for the land down under, not aware of the adventures awaiting them. They returned mid-July, all in one piece, but they were not the girls whom their parents sent on their way a few weeks before, they were new people. On the way they experienced a new land, everything was backwards, even the toilets flushed the other way! They faced losses and wins, injuries, illness, “cabin fever”, homesickness, but despite the brick walls they were faced with, and there were a good number, the good times far outweighed the bad and they returned home each with friendships, skills, and memories that will last a life time. For me, there are too many memories to pick a favourite, because there were so many things that were absolutely fantastic! For example, the new culture and experiences we were exposed to by billeting in Ballarat and Shepparton, all the amazing animals we saw in the various wildlife parks or in the wild, all the amazing new people we met and forged friendships with from countries like Belgium/Netherlands, England, Japan, and of course Australia, Footie (that’s self explanatory), but most of all, the time that was spent with friends, new and old, on the field and off. Each of these little memories is contained within a bigger memory, the trip itself. So you see, each of these memories is a part of something bigger, and that bigger memory, the memory of the trip itself, is the best memory of all.

Delaney Hoole

A memory that stands out is when we went to Bondi beach. I went down with a few of the girls and we got our Boost Juice and wandered down the beach. Flying into Sydney I had seen Bondi beach form the window of the plane. It was awesome being on the beach and walking through the sand. As we were walking by the water we came across a coach from the Gresham's team and also the organiser of HockeyFest. Sitting in the sand and watching the waves come in was very relaxing. We all took the time to reflect on what we had just experienced. We were all really quiet and a little sad because we didn't want to leave and return home. I mostly just sat and watched the surfers and enjoyed my last day in Sydney. Australia was a great country and the girls on the team made the tour unforgettable.

Picking one favourite memory of the tour would be impossible, so I am going to have to go with HockeyFest in general. I loved the way our team bonded and got used to playing with each other during the tournament. I really enjoyed playing against other teams no matter their level of hockey and getting to know them in between games. The level of hockey was amazing and playing in the Olympic pitch was a great experience. The hockey fest atmosphere and the way other teams cheered and supported each other was extraordinary. Trading uniforms at the end of the tour was fun as well. HockeyFest was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget!

One of my funniest memories is of on the last day of the tournament, when we all started wanting to trade our jerseys and what not… and everyone wanted to have the "Canadian Stuff." So a Dutch girl comes running up to Annie and I, saying "I will give you my jersey…. And my skirt… and my raincoat… and my stick bag (getting more and more desperate by the minute for one of our hoodies) and… and … oh and my socks and my shoes…. You can have everything that I am wearing!!"

I don't think there is any way I could pick one favourite memory from this trip. Experiencing such a great country, playing field hockey, getting to know such an amazing group of girls made this an unforgettable tour. I had such a great time and I don't think there is anything I would change about the trip. Going on this made me realize that at some point I definitely want to live or do some sort of exchange to Australia. There were so many fun times, and memories made. I'm so glad I got to go on this trip!

OK what goes on tour stays on tour etc etc… but hey a few stories need to be told. We all had a great time and you can all hold your heads really high!! Thanks for the support and making me feel part of the team. Have a great summer and "SEE YOU in September…… when the Summer's gone…" Cliff Richards 1965??….and from what I can tell everyone is still floating high in the water.

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