Rugby players make lifetime memories on Portuguese trip
During the Autumn half-term, 41 pupils from the Fourth and Fifth Year headed to Lisbon for a five-day rugby trip.
The group were greeted with stunning sunshine and a warm welcome as they made their way to their home for the tour – the Costa da Caparica region of the Portuguese capital.
The first games were played in the scenic setting of Clube de Rugby Santarem. The Under 15 team played superbly against the host side whilst the Under 16s played some free-flowing rugby to entertain the locals against Académica de Coimbra.
The post-match hospitality was superb, with local families making the travellers feel most welcome and providing a number of local delicacies.
Sunday provided the boys with the opportunity to get into the sea and sample the surf – something that many of them will never forget. Later in the day the group got competitive as they made a trip to the local bowling alley. It is safe to say that there was a large variation in the scores recorded!
The final day saw the rugby players visit Estádio da Luz, officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, the home of Benfica FC.
Following a fantastic meal at a local restaurant, the highlight of the trip for many, pupils and staff headed down to the Santa Maria de Belém area to explore the local area and sample the original pastel de nata.
In the evening both sides played against Rugby Belenenses. The games brought out the most impressive rugby of the trip and the hospitality that followed the game was the best way in which to finish the trip, with many of the pupils swapping items of kit.
We would like to thank the sponsors who so kindly provided every pupil with a playing kit and backpack – Emma and Mark Boler (One London Road), Daniel and Jayne Sullivan (DoorCo), Christopher Gleave (Gleave Homes), Tom Jack (American Golf) and Jeremy Woodside (Quantuma Advisory).
Sport and PE Teacher Mr Hugo Corbett said: “I believe that the aim of such trips is to provide experiences that the pupils would otherwise not have and to make memories that will last a lifetime.
“I firmly believe that each and every one of us did just that, “Obrigado, Portugal”!
