On Friday 5^th July, thirty-four King’s Bruton pupils and five members of staff embarked on a two week hockey tour to South Africa, where they would compete in the 2019 Cape Town International Hockey Festival as well as experience what Cape Town and the surrounding area has to offer.

After a long and tiresome journey, the tourists from Bruton travelled to Stellenbosch for two days of training and preparation for the festival. With a trip to Table Mountain and Drakenstein Lion Park sandwiched between two very productive training sessions at the University of Stellenbosch, the tour party travelled to the beautiful city of Cape Town to check in for 7 nights.

The hockey festival saw 48 teams from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the UK competing over the course of 5 days. The seven matches were an opportunity for the King’s pupils to play against teams who play in a different style and it was fantastic to see the improvement that both the boys’ and girls’ squads made with each match that they played. The playing experience they each gained in the festival will no doubt have a hugely positive influence on their continued hockey development and will make a difference next season. Alongside the hockey festival matches, the pupils visited Robben Island, enjoyed watching the sunset at Signal Hill, and enjoyed a tour of Cape Point which also involved visiting Boulders Beach and Seal Island at Hout Bay. A highlight for many of the pupils was also the very humbling visit to a local Township where they had a tour and got the opportunity to coach some of the local children.

After a tiring week of hockey and excursions, the group travelled to Aquila Private Game Reserve to finish the tour on safari. This was the perfect way to end what was the most amazing trip. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the pupils for being a real credit to the school in the way they played and conducted themselves throughout and also to the parents for their support of the trip and allowing it to happen. Finally, I am immensely grateful to Mr Corbin, Mr Godfrey, Miss Hoskins and Miss Brearley for coming on the tour and their professionalism and enthusiasm allowed it to go so smoothly and well. 

Henry Eriksson - Director of Hockey & Head of Sports Co-ordination