Pristine landscapes, stunning scenery and warm welcomes! New Zealand didn’t disappoint when 54 Senior School students and seven staff with a passion for sport from Matthew Flinders Anglican College visited from Monday, 2 to Monday, 8 April 2024.
Basing themselves in Queenstown, the Flinders touring group enjoyed participating across the sports of netball, rugby, hockey, tennis and soccer on the seven-day tour.
It was the first multi-sports tour since 2017 for the College, and was deemed a success with students enjoying having a ready-made crowd to cheer for them on the sidelines and also having the opportunity to play more than one sport where possible.
The group was warmly hosted for match fixtures, presentations and dinners at schools in the Queenstown area of South Island, including Wakatipu High School, and Maruawai College in Gore.
They also visited Northern Southland College for a day of inter-school sports fixtures with small rural schools across Southland.
Staff on tour included Head of Sport Mr Adam Ridgewell, Director of Coaching (Netball) Natalie Sligar, Assistant Director of Coaching (Rugby) Ryan Papahatzis along with Flinders staff Ben Radmall (Rugby), Angus Robinson (Soccer), Sarah Ridgewell (Hockey) and Kelli Skoda (Tennis).
Students wore an official Flinders branded tour kit including a warm fleece and t-shirt, which was generously sponsored by three Flinders family-owned businesses – Shadforth Civil, Blackhaus Construction and Project Pipeline Solutions.
Tourist adventures included visits to the Kawarau Zipline, Queenstown Gondola and Luge rides and the always exciting Shotover Jet ride.
Students stayed at Pinewood Lodge in multi-share cabins and dormitories and used coaches and minibuses to travel to sports matches and adventure activities.
And to their surprise and delight, the Virgin Australia Airlines plane ride home was captained by a Flinders parent, Michael and co-piloted by an Old Flinderian, Nick!
Upon the safe return home of the touring party, Mr Ridgewell said, “I would like to thank the staff who gave up a week of their Easter holidays to care for, lead, feed, guide, coach and entertain our 54 student tourists across an action-packed week!”
Student Reflections
Tour Day 1: Report by Amie D
“Touching down in Queenstown, we were greeted by breathtaking scenery, offering a glimpse of the enchantment awaiting us… Upon arrival at Pinewood Lodge, we were warmly welcomed and shown to our rooms, igniting excitement for the adventures ahead. With many students venturing into town for provisions, dinner at the lodge— featuring lasagna, chips, salad, and delectable chocolate cake— capped off the day. Retiring to bed, we eagerly anticipated the sports-filled day that lay ahead.”
Tour Day 2: Match Day #1 v Māruawai College @ Gore. Report by by Sydney E
“Straight off the bat we headed into the school faced with their incredible Kapa Haka and a welcoming ceremony that was nothing short of new and impressive to all of us. Six of our staff and students participated in a traditional 'sharing of breath' ceremony done by touching or called a 'hongi', to formally bring us all together before a day full of laughter and fun.
“Our visit to Gore ended with a delicious cooked dinner at Croydon Lodge accompanied by a couple Māruawai college students and staff. With a mix of results from the day it doesn't take away from the friendships made and the memories that all from both Flinders and Māruawai college staff and students will have for a long time to come. The day ended with a sleepy bus trip back home to Queenstown and a late night for a lot of us ready for a big Day 3!”
Tour Day 3: Adventure Day 1. Report by Gypsy H
“The jet boat excursion was eagerly anticipated, and I, for one, was not left disappointed. Propelled by 212 jet units, expelling a staggering 760 litres of water per second, the velocity and agility of the craft, coupled with its hairpin manoeuvres, elicited shrieks of both trepidation and exhilaration, crafting an indelible experience that shall linger in memory.
“Following this aquatic thrill, we adjourned to our lodgings to ready ourselves for an exploration of Queenstown's central square. But not before an obligatory pilgrimage to sample the legendary Fergburgers. Despite enduring a protracted queue, I can confidently attest that the gastronomic delights surpassed their considerable renown. Thereafter, we traversed the thoroughfares of the town for several hours, soaking in its charm, before retiring to the lodge for a restful repose ahead of the morrow's sporting endeavours.”
Tour Day 4: Match Day #2 v Northern Southland, Aparima and Fiordland Colleges + Waiau Area and Southland Boys High Schools @ Lumsden. Report by Hannah J
“Upon arrival at Northern Southland College we were greeted with a Tōia Mai and a welcoming speech from Principal Pete Wilkinson. Then the matches began! We finished off the day with an entertaining talent show full of dad jokes, singing and dancing, which ultimately topped off the great day of sport and Flinders spirit.”
Tour Day 5: Adventure Day 2. Report by Bernie M and Ben G
“Day 5 of our tour was packed with excitement as we headed up the mountain behind our lodge in the Gondola and sped down The Luge, experiencing the thrill of the ride amidst the magnificent scenery.
Afterwards, we split our free time between either a walk around the town or the chance to watch a rugby game, featuring the Wakatipu team taking on the Maniototo Maggots, on one of the more picturesque rugby pitches in the world, with The Remarkables on one side and Coronet Peak on the other!”
Day 6: Match Day #3. Report by Sophie B
“On the last match day of the tour, our groups for Mixed Hockey and Futsal as well as the B Netball Team headed off on the first bus to Wakatipu High School for the first round of matches. We appreciated the warm welcome from the Wakatipu students and staff. The second Flinders bus carried the Girls and Boys Rugby teams along with the A Netball Team with vibes as high as ever upon arrival at Wakatipu High School. The group enjoyed many exciting matches played in brisk weather against a beautiful natural backdrop, as the school is nestled in the foothills of The Remarkables mountain range… Sian and the staff at Wakatipu High School gave us our final farewell to head back to Pinewood Lodge for showers and some free time. We hit the streets of Queenstown for some retail therapy and meals. Then, with full bellies and tired minds, our group headed back to our rooms for the final time of the tour to pack bags and get ready for tomorrow’s trip home to the warm weather of the Sunshine Coast.”
Day 7: Homebound!
