Page 160 - AGC Journal 2018

AGC JOURNAL 2018
Corps Hockey
By Lieutenant Georgina Edwards
Full of excitement, the Corps Hockey Club comprising of both a male and
female team, embarked on a hockey tour of Spain.
Both teams
before the
games
against
Valencia
Hockey Club
Seville the hotel pool, we competed in a game of rounders on the
famous Benalmádena beaches before heading to Malaga
Seville, looked to be a cultural delight. However, before any Hockey Club. The hockey games were enjoyable and it was
culture could be absorbed we headed to Universidad de evident that we had progressed from the first game. The
Sevilla for both the men and women to play the first games following morning, a stretching session led by the team
of hockey. Unfortunately, jet lag, tiredness from travelling captains was very much appreciated, before heading to
and two well established university sides led to a heavy the next location.
defeat for the ladies and a narrow 3-2 loss for the men.
Despite this, both teams left the venue in high spirits. Alicante
Bike Tour In the evening, games in Alicante were played against
Atletico ‘San Vicente’ Hockey Club, it was clear the hockey
Day two and the teams could appreciate the history of standard had now improved to a reasonable standard; the
this great city. A bike tour took us past Cathedral of Saint men were playing against a striker who held an Olympic
Mary, Alcázar of Seville, Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de medal and the ladies’ opposition had just qualified for the
España. This allowed us to find out the history of each nationals. Again, both teams were beaten, but we played
site and visualise why the beautiful city has been used to competitively, and the opposition congratulated us on our
film elements of Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and others. team cohesion.
We then headed to the University to have a much needed
training session. Valencia
Benalmádena On day eight the squad moved to Valencia, a city known
for its futuristic buildings including the Oceanarium
After a day’s travel and a well deserved recovery session in as well as traditional buildings such as the Valencia
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Cathedral, dating back to the Romans. We
were exposed to the luxury of the city and
arrived to find a rooftop pool in their inner
city hotel. However, little time was available
to relax and the teams headed to Valencia
Hockey Club to play the next matches where
again we suffered heavy defeats.
The next day the weather turned torrential
and unfortunately the bicycle tour of the city
had to be cancelled. Instead, a trip to the
Oceanarium, the largest marine complex in
Europe including 45,000 animals to observe
the marine life. The highlight of the visit was
the exquisite dolphin show which made us
all very emotional.
Barcelona
Enjoying the
history and culture
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia and that the wonderful
home to the biggest hockey club in Spain, CD city of Seville had
Terassa. The hockey games hosted here were to offer
both stunning and competitive, as the sun
set the women’s team lost narrowly 3-2 and
the men 2-1.
The next day the sun was shining so the next
bike tour could be completed, Barcelona’s
rich heritage meant there was plenty to see,
including the famous Cathedral, Aqueducts
from the 17th century and the Plaza de San
Felipe Neri.
That evening gave way to the second game
in Barcelona, played at Iluro. This was
the last opportunity to play together until
the 2018/2019 outdoor season. Our ladies
excelled, and it was clear that the team
had invested into their hockey progression
throughout the tour and all the hard work
of the coaches had paid off when we left
the pitch having won 4-1. The men were The ladies
equally successful in their development but
not with the score line, despite scoring two team and
players of
impressive goals they once again walked the Malaga
away defeated. Hockey Club
Final Night
Having completed the hockey, we were
given free time in Barcelona before the final
night at the hostel. The evening saw thanks
given to the organisers Major Andy Wilson
and Lieutenant Colonel Warren Ginn and
prizes to those who had excelled. For the
women, Private Danielle Parry received
Players’ Player and Lance Corporal Connie
Johnson most improved. For the men, Lance
Corporal Nikson Rai received Most Improved
and Players’ Player.
Endnote
Overall, this tour was the epitome of what
the Army defines as esprit de corps. The trip
comprised males and females, regulars
and reserves, united by their cap badge.
The team ethos could not be faulted and Ladies
everyone who participated is now excited Hockey Team
about the 2018/2019 hockey season. in Valencia
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