Christchurch Youth Tour Recap
When did the tour take place?
During the first week of the July school holidays, 12-16 July 2021. The boys and girls youth teams embarked on a week long tour to the city of Christchurch.
What the tour was about and why did the Youth go on tour?
This idea has been in the pipeline since August 2019, initially touted to keep the interest level up for those involved and more importantly to entice new youth members into the club. The tour, initially planned for Australia, due to happen in 2020 had to be ‘shelved’ due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Australia was not really a possibility due to the aftermath of the pandemic thereby a tour to CHCH was targeted.
Rationale for tour:
Lifetime experience – For most players, they will not play at a high/rep level and thereby not have the experience of going on a sports tour, this opportunity will be a life lasting experience, most adults reading this will relate to the experience.
AISC cares – To clearly show all youth players their club cares about them and assisted in making this tour happen, it gave them an awesome experience and the majority will be lifelong supporters of the club.
Friendship and Comraderies – At a critical age in terms of social interaction taking a boys and girls team together helped build friendships that will last for a lifetime.
Allowed our players the opportunity to experience an opportunity to play different teams of a higher level ad different style of play.
Who went on the tour?
We had 34 youth players (18 boys, 16 girls) and 6 amazing support staff. We also had a large amount of parent supporters who made their own way to CHCH to support the team.
How was the trip funded?
Both youth teams, support staff and parents worked really hard to fundraise for this trip.
Our biggest fundraising event was our Celebrity Curry Night. It was a major success, and everyone worked hard to make it such a successful night. The support we received from all the aforementioned people as well as the Indian community in general was unbelievable.
There were other fundraising opportunities where a number of players/parents also worked tirelessly to raise funds and these included:
Two golf days where youth players raised monies by persuading golfers to take on challenges on certain holes and then also having raffles.
Selling samosas
Selling glad wrap, catering foil and baking paper.
How did the tour go?
Hugely successful both on and off the hockey turf. There were no major incidents and the whole tour party displayed impeccable behaviour, everyone had so much fun and didn’t want to come back so early, contradictory to what some of the girls had voiced when we planned the tour in saying that the tour was far too long!
Aligned to the success for the tour party members the impression they left in CHCH with opposition players, clubs, parents exemplify what AISC stands for and club should be extremely proud on what each of these youth players did to leave that lasting positive impression.
What were the Key moments/Special highlights/Special Mentions?
Without doubt the lasting memory/ies is what was happening after each game, where both teams would get together hand each other player of the match awards and then share a drink/lollies and talk to the opposition, it warmed the heart to see not only the camaraderie between our players but also with the opposition.
Special mention to Pat Barwick, former Blacksticks captain/player, she was the main contact for us in CHCH and organised the turf, opposition etc, no small task.
Thank you!
We would not have enough space to thank all the people that helped and sponsored even the smallest amounts, each and everyone meant so much, we will be forever in their debt.
Having said that it would be remiss not to mention our major sponsors:
AISC
Finance NZ – Buzz
Fenchurch – Morrie
Dayal Family
Anonymous Donor