Noord Vaal Provincial UK Rugby Tour

In September 2010 Tours 4 Sport organised an 11 day rugby tour for Noord Vaal rugby from South Africa. Tours 4 Sport were acting as the ground handling agent for a South African travel agent. The 44 strong touring party - which comprised a large playing squad made up of the best players from 4 schools in the district and accompanying coaches, manager and parents - spent time in London, Manchester, Cardiff and Oxford. Their tour manager, Dan Smith, recounts their tour here.


 The most vital component of any inbound rugby tour is the fixtures and as Noordvaal are a very strong side they needed some testing fixtures against quality opposition with good post-match hospitality. The rest of the tour was created around the fixtures we arranged against Twickenham RFC, in London, Lymm High School  and Wilmslow High School in Manchester, and Pentrych RFC in Cardiff. 

The group arrived at heathrow airport on a rainy Thursday morning and were greeted by inbound sports tour manager Daniel Smith and quickly loaded onto the executive coach driven by our friendly, helpful driver Dave. The coach remained with the group for the duration of the tour as did Dave. We had already planned in advance to explore the city by coach with a knowledgeable tour guide who showed everyone the sights on a 3 hour tour of the city. After this the group checked into their accommodation and it was time to head off to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen for a hearty meal for all 44 of them, again booked in advance. 

After a good sleep the group spent the Friday morning touring the fantastic facilities of the Marylebone Cricket Club at the home of cricket: Lords. The tour itself is excellent with humorous and knowledgeable tour guides taking in the media centre, stands, changing rooms and the members pavillion. Following a short stop for lunch a tour of Wembley commenced taking in the 80,000 seater stadium, changing rooms, press centre, players lounge and more. Fish and chips was on the menu tonight at the accommodation and went down very well with players and parents alike. 

Saturday saw the group get onto the turf at the Stoop, the home of Harlequins. A one hour coaching session with some of the 'Quins professionals and coaches had been arranged on the first team pitch and the boys took full advantage showing their flair and consistency throughout the session. After showers and a quick change the boys and their coaches walked the short journey to Twickenham stadium for their full tour of the facilities. At 3pm the group headed back to watch the Harlequins thrash Exter Chiefs in a premiership rugby match. Incidentally one of the players Miles Mantella went on tour with us last year to Italy with Millfield School. After the match the boys took their dinner money and spent the evening in London in the area around Picadilly circus. 


Here's some footage of the guys training at the Stoop

Sunday was their first fixture day and they all seemed fresh from the training the day before. A free day in London was spent sightseeing and shopping on Oxford Street before being picked up from the accommodation and heading off to Twickenham RFC. Twickenham organise their rugby tour with us every year and have a fantastic clubhouse and set up run by some great rugby people. The game was free-flowing and physical with the South Africans running out victors by 36 points to 7. The score was testament to the fitness of Noordvaal, it would take something special to beat them. After some great food at the club, exchanging of gifts and speeches it was back into the city for their last night in London. 

On Monday morning it was time to leave the Big Smoke and board the coach for a journey north to Manchester. The group went straight to Old Trafford for a stadium tour; this was a good time to visit, as the stadium was building up to host the rugby league Superleague Grand Final, and Wigan Warriors were actually just leaving their press conference as we arrived. Following the tour, we transferred back to central Manchester where the players and coaches checked into their accommodation, and we all went over the road for dinner. We had reserved an entire restaurant in advance, and enjoyed some good food and drinks together as we looked forward to the rugby challenges ahead. 


There followed two days of excellent fixtures. Lymm High School was a brilliant venue for the group, out in the Cheshire plains. The squad and travelling supporters were treated to a welcome by the head of rugby and headmistress as well as a quick tour of the school, including the trophy cabinet proudly displaying last year's Daily Mail Cup and several framed England shirts from ex pupils. The game was a great spectacle, with Noord Vaal going out to an 11 point half time lead, which they maintained in an expansive second half, winning by 20 points to 9. There followed some heartfelt speeches on both sides and more good food than we could put away! 


The following day the group spent the late morning and early afternoon shopping at the Trafford Centre before travelling out to Wilmslow High School for what was to prove the toughest game of the tour. Wilmslow had the smaller pack but looked stronger in midfield, which helped them manage the wet conditions better than the visitors. It was a physical encounter and Wilmslow's tight game helped them overhaul Noord Vaal's first half lead to win 13 - 7 in front of a large school crowd. More post match food and speeches followed before heading back to Manchester for their final evening in the city. Below is a video of Noord Vaal's opening try in the Wilmlslow game. 

We enjoyed one final full English breakfast in Manchester before boarding the coach bound for Cardiff, capital of Wales. Cardiff is a perfect stop on UK tours: it has plenty to see and do, but in a relatively small space, making it easy for new groups to get their bearings quickly. The added attraction here was that Thursday was the eve of the Ryder Cup, one which will become famous for some wet weather but more importantly a pulsating finish where 'G-Mac' held off the Americans to bring Europe victory. Our group checked into their outstanding riverside accommodation with a direct view of the Millennium Stadium, and then drove 30 minutes north for their evening fixture. Pentyrch RFC is a club we work with a lot, and we knew they would give the tourists a warm welcome at their friendly, family club. After two tough school games, the boys from Noord Vaal put everything into their final game. Play was even in terms of possession and territory but the South Africans gave a display in clinical finishing and how to capitalise on turnover ball, winning 28 - 5 in the end. A win was a great end to the fixtures on tour which had seen some scintillating rugby in their 3 wins and 1 loss. Of course hot food, drinks, awards and speeches followed before the bus ride home to bed. 


Friday gave the boys a chance to relax. Their large squad had enabled them to pick different teams for the last three fixtures, but they now had a couple of days to enjoy sightseeing and culture before flying home. Many visited the Millennium Stadium, whose situation at the heart of the city represents just how important rugby is in these parts. Others saw the castle, went shopping in the covered arcades dotted around the city, or relaxed in one of the many cafes around town. Everyone was back together in time for their evening meal which we had organised in advance. A good night's sleep followed, before heading back into England the following day.


Here's the group in the press room at Millennium Stadium. 
 

The group arrived in Oxford on the Saturday afternoon after a visit to the historic city of Bath. After checking in to their accommodation the group headed off to Nando's for a final tour meal which was very well received. The following day was spent touring the city and picking up those last minute souvenirs for the folks back home before their evening flight out of Heathrow. 


A few days after the tour, one of their tour managers e-mailed Tours 4 Sport to say the following: 

"Just a few words of thanks and congratulations with the recent tour to the UK. I must admit initially I was very apprehensive regarding the tour as I have burnt my fingers in the past, but the tour was a great success. Everything was well organised and worked like clockwork. The arrangements at all the venues were excellent as well as the accommodation. All the boys enjoyed the youth hostels and especially the breakfasts."

Tours 4 Sport are specialists in inbound sports tours to the UK. To experience the best sport, history and culture in the country, contact us to start planning your trip today. Email info@tours4.com or call +44 161 282 4512