Tour of South America for Scots College Rugby Teams

13 July 2011

Tour of South America Trip-Of-A-Lifetime for Scots College Rugby Teams

Next week the Scots College 1st XV and Junior XV rugby teams begin a two week tour to South America. Thirty-nine boys aged 13-18yrs, two coaches, two managers and 13 parents will travel to Chile, Uruguay and Argentina, playing five rugby games in just over two weeks.

Scots College has a commitment to supporting young men to achieve their potential, and opportunities for learning beyond the classroom are a focus. “It’s a major undertaking to get these two teams over to South America. The experience for our students will be invaluable on all levels. It’s a great sporting challenge, an immersive cultural experience and a real-life history lesson all rolled into one, not to mention the significant social and linguistic challenges they’ll encounter on tour,” reflected Tour Manager Peter Cassie. The students will experience home life in each country, being billeted with families from schools in Chile and Uruguay and the Monte Grande rugby club in Argentina.

Scots College has a proud school tradition of rugby. “Rugby at Scots College has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, and we decided to think big when we began planning this tour two years ago,” Cassie said.

1st XV coach Dave Meaclem reflects, “In 2010 our 1st XV made it into the Premier 1 College Sport grade for the first time in history, just one of many goals we’ve set ourselves as a team, and as a school. This year the team has once again competed in Premier 1, demonstrating the consistency required to be competitive in that grade, with narrow losses to 2010 Champions St Pat’s Silverstream (14-17) and 2010 Runners Up St Pat’s Town (15-17).”

“The style of rugby will be quite different over there from what they’re used to,” says Junior XV coach Mo Mackey. “We’ve been practicing a fast running game, speed work and kicking, so there should be some good close matches.”

The team and coaches are anticipating some rugby highlights. Meaclem says, “We are looking forward to the game against the Uruguay U18 National side in Montevideo. Our scrum will definitely be tested, after all we are heading to Argentina, which is synonymous with scrummaging.”

Scots College has long-standing relationships with a number of the South American schools. Senior students are looking forward to reconnecting with boys they have hosted in their own homes, when they have visited Scots College in the past.

“Our international perspective on education is a real strength and a priority at Scots. We strive to produce boys who are equipped for life as balanced, compassionate, motivated and socially aware young men. For some of these boys it will be their first trip overseas without family and for many their first time staying with a family from another culture – that’s got to be life-changing,” says Cassie.

“We live in a global community, and for many of these boys it’s second-nature to stay in touch via Facebook, Skype, email, texts etc, whether they’re in Strathmore, the South Island or South America’, Cassie commented, “but nothing beats actually being there.”

First 1st XV captain, Tamati Rudolph says “We want to thank all the teachers, coaches and supporters for making this tour possible. It will be a highlight of our rugby at Scots College.”

The Scots College rugby teams are on tour during the July school holidays, and depart Wellington on Tuesday 19 July.

ENDS

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