Scotch College

Water polo in Honolulu!

During the mid-year break, 23 Scotch Water Polo players embarked on a tour of New Zealand and Oahu (Hawaii).

The party, consisting of 2 Year 12s, 8 Year 11s, 9 Year 10s, 3 Year 9s and 1 Year 8, was not our strongest possible, but we were still able to field two very competitive teams. The experience gained will stand us in good stead for the forthcoming school season.

The first three days were spent in Auckland battling against the six best schools in New Zealand in a tournament staged to prepare them for their National Championships - a tough task for the senior team, let alone the juniors! We then travelled south to Hamilton and Rotorua for sight-seeing and some slightly less intense Water Polo. While the thermal activity was fascinating, the boys (the older ones, too!) also derived great pleasure from the Luge (a sort of dry-land toboggan).

Unfortunately, our plans for black-water rafting (underground in the Waitomo Caves) were dashed by heavy rains, so we spent a relaxing and enjoyable half-day movie-going and 10-pin Bowling en route to Auckland Airport, from where we flew to Honolulu. The excitement level rose steadily as we approached what the boys anticipated would be the highlight of the tour. They were absolutely right.

When we stepped out of Honolulu Airport shortly after 6.00 am, the balmy atmosphere removed any concerns that our expectations might not be realised. We were going to enjoy this!

For the next five days we were treated to hospitality that beggars description - we could not have wished for better, either as a group or as individuals. Despite a frenetic social schedule and a lot of intense Water Polo, the boys performed impeccably, both in the water and out, bringing great credit to their parents, their school and their country. The host parents sang loud and long the praises of their guests, one going so far as to write to the Scotch parents thanking them for allowing them the privilege of having their sons in their home!

Our trip home, although tinged with some sadness at leaving our new Hawaiian friends, was uneventful until the final leg from Auckland to Melbourne for which we were joined by the All-Blacks en route to the Bledisloe Cup. Naturally, a few good-natured taunts were exchanged.

This was a truly wonderful tour.