A group of thirteen Upper Sixth girls from the 1st and 2nd hockey squads spent a very enjoyable long weekend in Barcelona just before the start of the Lent Term. The group was accompanied by Sarah Greenwood and Carolyn Nichols, with Don Williams (OC and a member of the GB Squad that played in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics) acting as hockey coach for the trip.
Three matches were played at the exclusive Egara and C.D. Terassa clubs up in the hills behind Barcelona. The first two matches were won 7-0 and 3-1, with a respectable 1-3 loss in the final match against the Catalonian regional champions for this season. Guided by Don’s extensive experience, the group responded well to the challenge of playing in an unfamiliar environment, with all the girls contributing towards three very creditable performances.
In addition to the hockey, there was time to visit key sites in the city including Sagrada Familia, Porto Olympico, Parc Guell, and the Boqueira Market on La Rambla, with the blue skies and pleasantly warm temperature providing a welcome break from the UK weather. Local delicacies were sampled at Tapas restaurants and beachside cafes, with the vibrant and laid-back way of life in this exciting city much in evidence alongside the strong cultural tradition inspired by artists such as Gaudi.
Many of the group will now be focusing on the serious business of preparation for the forthcoming National Schools finals at the end of February, but hopefully the Barcelona trip will provide many good memories for the girls in years to come, with a wealth of fun and interesting experiences to look back on.
Carolyn Nichols
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