A lie in saw a new bus driver Maurice arrive one hour too early !! Even so after a hearty breakfast we boarded the bus to go to the Antarctic centre by the airport. Following the blue footprints we were met by such hospitality that is was easy to get swept along . . ALL got to see the penguins fed and then we got two private trips on a Hagglund with a brilliant running commentary from the driver who came from Hagley !!! he was brilliant ! as was the 10 minute trip . .up and down and through a pond – recommend you look at the photos
The Antarctic centre also served as a good lunch spot before we returned to Christchurch for some more retail therapy and a final chance to show our progress with three matches against Hill Morton High School. The school looked large as we entered and the receprion we got was lovely. For the first time since Australia we were going to play outside in the sunshine and warmth. The school had also remembered that we were young and were to provide a social side of sixth formers as well as a Year 9 pack of enthusiasts – the plan being the Hurricanse were to play the Sixth formers and Sopwiths the Year 9’s . . . that was until they warmed up and CMD got it changed. In the end Cia’s plan would have worked both ways. . . . the Sopwiths started well but were struggling with the umpiring – the rules ARE different wherever you go . . . just like the weather and in the end were on to a loser . . . we had every chance to put the game away but every time we got into that position a passage of play went completely against us and we lost the plot. . . the longer the game went in the more difficult it became to fight everything around us . . and we lost – end of story.
As we came off more angry than anything else, we were delighted to hear and see the Hurricanes cheering and hugging as if they had won a game . . and sure enough they had !!! Well done the Hurricanes . . they out of all the teams have been the furthest away form a win but have always kept their spirits and energy and thoroughly deserved the win. Apologies but I do not know any more details as I was in consoling mood consoling my Sopwiths.
Then the turn of the Spitfires came and again we looked at the ages and sizes of the opponents and again had every reason to call the game off. The team looked more like adults than girls and were certainly not U.16. Still we’ve learnt the hard way and understand that everything we can put into such a game will count in triplicate for us next season. So we began the final 40 minutes of Netball and as usual held our heads up high with some very respectable play. At the end of the first quarter we were only 2 down – the second quarter was a mare and although we rallied and kept the margins down to 2 in both the final two quarters we knew we could not recover from the damage in the second quarter. Nonetheless Hill Mrotn were very complimentary about us and I think a little guilty about the age difference !! and gave us a very nice NZ send off with cakes and pastries in the library. . . and CMD still had time to push a gorgeous cream cake into JMS’ face !!
Back to the hoetl to change into posh kit for the end of tour dinner. I must say at this stage that I knew I had brought with me 23 young girls and 2 ladies on tour some 19 days ago but when CMD took us to this lovely restaurant and I looked around at the tables it was clear that they had all become 23 ladies and I was proud to be at the head of the table . . where any Maori chief should be !! And then the live musician started and the girls ( sorry – ladies ) just sang with him – it was fantastic. By the way the food too was A*1 too. The meal ended far too quickly for my liking and we walked back to the hotel and arm in arm the girls just sang . . . the 800m . . .23ladies singing ‘Reach for the stars . .’ Unbelievable it was as were the looks we got from passer-bys and drivers . . ALL of them smiling I might say with bewilderment.
Back at the hotel we went to the top floor to have the end of tour presentations and speeches. As you’d have expected by now, it was done so well and respectably too. We had been told to be as quiet as possibly as there were people occupying the rooms close by . . so when it came to clapping the ladies just clicked fingers !! Amazing maturity !! The awards were given the Naomi and Toni in a humourous and light hearted fashion with lovely anecdotes too. Then Naomi and toni were thanked by Jane and Georgia with two excellent speeches. After this it was time for the extra special awards . . . the most improved player – Katie Russock, the Player’s player was shared between Jane and Fran and then the most special contributor on the tour went to Sophie Eaton. The words by CMD were excellent and epitomised the contribution made by Sophie and how she had never let anything get her down and making every one else happy – what a star. . . . she had even had time to mature too !! Lovely girl.
Then we had a fun quiz and off to bed for a final time . . . but that was not before the coaches Fran / Cia and myself had been given gifts which coupled with thanks brought tears to everyone’s eyes. I only had to look at Alex and B for them both to have flooded eyes. After this the girls had some girl circle time and vowed to keep themselves in touch with several moving on in September . . and still the tears flowed.
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