Scotch College

India hockey tour 2005

Sixteen boys, two teachers, a coach and a team doctor set off for a hockey tour of India on 3 April. The inaugural twenty-day tour of India was a great success. If we were to measure it in terms of matches won, it was lacking. But touring anywhere with an under-age development squad is difficult and touring India anytime is demanding! The results stand at two draws and three losses. The squad gained a huge amount from the experience both in terms of playing conditions and adapting to a hard rugged style of play, and the huge cultural difference is an experience they will never forget.

It was a courageous tour to embark on and it would have been far more difficult without the experience and medical expertise of Mr (Dr) Peter Dawson. He was a huge benefit to us with the usual high incidence of travellers’ diarrhoea (and a case of salmonella) in our party. He monitored hydration, diet and strapping for all our matches and was a great companion. John Fedderson (OSC) was our coach and he handled his role with aplomb. The tour party was a harmonious mix of boys who were a joy to travel with. There was no antagonism or whinging about the arduous travel regime or the unusual diet, or about the rough gravel and stone pitches.

The hockey team after the St George match

The itinerary included New Delhi, with a match against the Delhi Modern School on the National Stadium in 38 degrees of heat. Then it was northwards on the Shatabadti Express train for nine-hour trip. We stayed in Dehra Dun and played the Welham Boys’ School and the famous Doon School on a dusty rough grass and dirt pitch in 34 degrees of heat. Here we visited the Forestry Research Institute and the Tibetan village. The party then left by bus and climbed into the Himalayan foothills to the beautiful hill station of Mussoorie, which is above two thousand metres elevation. Here we played St George School and Oak Grove School on very rough gravel pitches in spectacular settings with stunning views from hilltop schools. We visited the famous Woodstock School and spent much time walking along the bazaar. We were privileged to visit Corbett National Park and stay in the Tiger Reserve. Here we toured on elephants and in jeeps and saw wild herds of deer and elephant, and a family of tigers on the last morning. A visit to Agra and Jaipur rounded the tour off.

The party was pleased to spend a day at the oldest orphanage in India. The Smart Memorial Blind Orphanage in Rajpur is an oasis of quiet and care in a dusty and seemingly crumbling part of India. This Christian institution cares for poor blind and deformed children in need. We were privileged to spend a day painting the playground equipment and meeting the people here. I am sure all of the tour party have very fond memories of their time in India. In so many ways it was an unforgettable experience which was broadening for staff and students alike.

Sam Black
John Flynn