As a group or with their host families, the students enjoyed excursions to the west coast of France – including the stunning part-time island and World Heritage Site of Mont Saint-Michel – attended rugby matches, and visited castles such as the millennium-old Château de Saumur, about an hour from Angers.

 

Before they returned to Canada, the group spent four days in Paris, where their stops included Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Bateaux Mouches on the Seine, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre. They ended their time together in France with a group raclette dinner.

 

Two members of the exchange group – Mr. Linn and Henry B. – stuck around in France, though, joining the First XV for their Spring Break Tour.

 

 

With Mr. Linn and Henry B. in their ranks, the boys’ First XV visited Toulouse, Auch, and Montauban for their traditional tour to prepare for an intense season. Massimo R. summed it up in the report below:

 

“This year, the First XV boys travelled to France for their Spring Rugby Tour. The team greatly looked forward to this experience, as it was a new tour destination and an exciting opportunity to explore a different rugby culture. During the trip, we were fortunate to visit several cities in France and witness firsthand how deeply rugby is valued there and the important role it plays in local communities.

 

“We were privileged to compete against some outstanding local teams. While we faced many challenging moments on the field and were consistently outplayed by strong opposition, these experiences pushed us to a higher level. Although losing is never easy, we now recognize how valuable it was to compete against some of top rugby clubs in France. Playing against this level of competition will ultimately make us stronger as we prepare for our season back in BC.

 

“Off the field, the tour brought us closer together as a team. Spending so much time with each other helped us build stronger connections and friendships that will last well beyond this season.

 

“We would like to thank our coaches and the many parents who came to support us throughout the tour, as well as those cheering from home. A special thank you goes to Mr. Louis Gave for organizing the trip and for his incredible generosity and commitment to the rugby program at Shawinigan. This tour was an unforgettable experience, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.”

 

The rugby program and the entire School are grateful to the Gave family, who hosted both the 1st XV and Iron Women during their tours in France. Both teams also won their first games upon returning to Canada – the boys defeating Royal Bay on Tuesday and the girls beating Quw’utsun Secondary on Thursday.

 

 

From a base in Avignon, the Iron Women competed in two XV games and a tournament, and fit in some sightseeing and other activities for good measure.

 

The girls split their first two matches, losing in Toulon and winning in Nice. They remained in Nice for two days, exploring that city and the nearby country of Monaco. The team returned to Avignon where they visited the Palais du Pope and did some rock climbing. On their final day, they took part in a tens tournament in Toulon, going 4-0 to win the cup.

 

The 19 players who travelled include a strong contingent of returning players, says Head of Rugby Mr. John Tait. The junior girls’ team, which didn’t travel this spring, is also expected to be competitive this season, with a slate of games against local teams. 

 

 

The Colts team of Grade 8, 9 and 10 boys had a busy 10-day tour of England and Wales, blazing a path across the UK with a series of matches and training sessions to prepare for the spring rugby season.

 

The two games included a narrow 36-31 defeat at Llanishen School in Cardiff and a decisive 32-12 win against Bristo Grammar School. The Colts also practiced at Marlborough College, Radley College, and Henley RFC, and visited Bath, Oxford and London.

 

The 23 boys made an excellent impression everywhere they went, coach Mr. Adam Holloway said, earning accolades at restaurants, hotels and hostels. Their bus driver was so impressed that he presented the team with a gift at the end of the tour.

 

Along with the games they played, the Colts attended two matches: Bristol vs Harlequins at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, and Harlequins vs Sale in a European Cup match at Twickenham Stoop, the Harlequins’ home ground. They also visited Stonehenge, went punting in Oxford, had a day in London that included seeing Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, and toured Bristol.

 

The UK games were intended to get the boys ready for the spring season, and it paid off immediately as they defeated Royal Oak on Tuesday, just a day after returning to Vancouver Island.