As I arrived at Manchester airport, the nerves began to kick in. 2 years since an international trip had gathered at check-in, handed over their passports and taken to the skies on tour.
Fate was on our side as all 38 students and staff from The Dragon School received negative test results, navigated security, and boarded the 8-hour flight to Barbados.
Arriving into the heat of the early evening sun, we made our way to the Europa All Seasons Resort on Barbados’ iconic west-coast. It’s a perfect base for touring groups. In a quiet back street, yet still only 10 minutes’ walk to the beach, the students stayed in 4-person mini apartments, with great food on-site and a pool for that all important down time.Fate was on our side as all 38 students and staff from The Dragon School received negative test results, navigated security, and boarded the 8-hour flight to Barbados.
Cricket, hockey and netball in one tour!
After a visit to Kensington Oval on the first day, the sport got underway. The girls competed against select sides from local schools for their hockey fixtures. It was amazing to watch them combine sides, build bonds over the week and be trained by the Bajan coaches.
The cricketers had to lather on the sunscreen as some of their games meandered into the early evening but it was well worth it with a few victories coming down to the final ball.
I have to give a special mention to the staff from The Dragon School. Barbados tends to run on its own schedule at the best of times and it requires a certain amount of flexibility. John Holden and his team (Issy, Robyn, Willow, Harry and Neil) rolled with the punches and ensured that the girls and boys of The Dragon School came away with memories that will last a lifetime.The cricketers had to lather on the sunscreen as some of their games meandered into the early evening but it was well worth it with a few victories coming down to the final ball.
From pro-netball training, an impromptu net session with Franklyn Stevenson, bumping into the Barbados national cricket team for autographs, swimming with turtles, sunsets on the beach and a dance off with Spiderman (really!), it was well worth the twists and turns that Barbados can sometimes throw up.
It was a special tour for all of us, made even better by the dedication many of the parents showed to come along and support their sons and daughters. On a personal note, it was privilege to see all our hard work, stress and dedication come to fruition.
