Grosvenor In View Magazine 2025

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EDUCATIONAL VISITS

Valencia Rugby and Hockey Tour – October 2024

In late October of 2024, 38 players and 4 staff members embarked on the first combined rugby and hockey tour to Valencia in Southern Spain. There was significant excitement in the build-up, with it being the first overseas rugby tour in eight years, as well as hockey players experiencing their second trip to Spain on a sports tour. We assembled at Belfast International Airport in the early hours of the morning and enjoyed a short flight to our destination, where we were met by our local contact Buele. We transferred to our hotel and the players were able to make a quick trip to the supermarket to pick up some supplies for their rooms. After enjoying dinner in the hotel, we made our way to the Mestalla Stadium to watch Valencia FC play against Las Palmas. In a hugely exciting game, with 16 yellow cards, Las Palmas emerged as the winners 3-2. The next day was Game Day 1 for the 1st XV Rugby. After breakfast we were transferred to CAU Valencia Rugby Club for a light morning session and the 1st XI Hockey were transferred to Valencia Hockey Club. Upon return to the hotel. The players had some down time whilst building towards the first fixture. The rugby team played CAU Valencia U18s, under the lights on a fantastic artificial pitch in the city centre of Valencia; it was an idyllic setting. CAU started strongly, and the team had to weather significant pressure to keep the game scoreless. After 25 minutes, the game was stopped due to a significant injury to our second row Jack Ellis, from which we never really got going again. CAU converted their early dominance into points, and despite late pressure by ourselves, we lost the game 15-0. It was disappointing to lose the first game of the tour; however, it was still a great experience for all involved. Day 3 was the first Game Day for the Hockey team, and it started with further light training sessions for both sides in the morning. The rugby team focused on recovery from the game the night before, with the hockey men practising short corner routines ahead of their match. Following these short sessions, we were taken to Valencia Beach, where the playing group and coaches were able to enjoy surfing lessons in pretty difficult conditions! The rain and wind were certainly making it difficult for many to be successful; however, it was great to see some players getting the hang of it. That evening we attended Valencia Hockey Club for our fixture against Turia HC, with the humidity in particular proving difficult. We started strongly and our early pressure was rewarded with a goal from Thomas Bailie, only for us to concede 60 seconds later from a short corner. The game was tight with both sides registering chances, and deep into Quarter 4 it looked

that the game would finish 1-1. With 90 seconds left on the clock, Oliver Burns reacted fasted to a rebound to score; with the last play of the game, Thomas Bailie got his second goal to leave the final score 3-1 to Grosvenor. A fantastic result that was well deserved. Day 4 involved a trip into the city centre of Valencia for a sightseeing walking tour and for the players to have the chance to do a little shopping, relax and get some lunch. A quieter morning was appreciated by all, with tired legs being a real factor. Both sides had fixtures that evening and the slower morning was appreciated as we built towards the final stages of the tour. The Hockey team took to the field against Valencia Hockey Club, and again we started brightly, clearly exhibiting a higher level of fitness compared to our opponents. Matthew Peel scored early in Quarter 2 to hand us the advantage, one we held until the last 2 minutes of the game, when Valencia HC scored from a short corner, with the game finishing 1-1. The Hockey team finished the tour undefeated and with some excellent individual performances witnessed by those watching. The Rugby team headed back to CAU Valencia RFC for another fixture, with players clearly motivated to reverse the result from earlier in the tour. A much changed team saw opportunities for some of the younger players on tour, and the coaches were delighted to see them step up to the challenge. Again, CAU brought early pressure; however, Grosvenor struck first with an excellent individual try from Ewan Roberts, handing us

GROSVENOR IN VIEW > 2024/25