Successful foray to Queensland

Tans aren't the only thing the members of the Stratford High School First XV brought back from their trip to the Gold Coast - they have also arrived home as runners-up in the Mixed Red division of the Gold Coast Rugby Carnival.

Team manager Jeff Walker says the team "put their all" into the competition, despite some uniquely Australian challenges.

"The temperatures were very hot so the boys had to adapt to playing in the heat, this also meant that the ground was very hard which can result in injuries pretty quickly."

The SHS team went into the initial round robin competition with "full force" and only lost one of the pool matches. This took them into the finals against Hamilton Boys' High School (Waikato) who SHS had lost to in the pool games.

"The team weren't intimidated at all facing Hamilton Boys again, they just kept their minds on the game. I am really proud of their performance in the final match," Jeff says. Although the boys played their best in the final, the lost 17-9.

At the closing ceremony of the rugby carnival a noteworthy player from each team is nominated to be given the Barbarian jersey - this year SHS vice-captain Josh Hunger received the honour.

Jeff says there were also several other stand-out players including captain Dayle Bailey, Fergus Smith, Jonathan Palmer, Matthew Kowalewski and Cole Baker.

"But everyone in the team contributed a huge amount of effort and played their part in a successful tournament."

Jeff says the the tour party of 25 players and 18 supporters all had a fantastic time whether it was at the games, visiting theme parks or swimming in the sea in July and extends his gratitude to everyone who helped get the team to the Gold Coast.

"We had an outstanding amount of community support with our fund-raising this year, we are truly thankful."