Rugby Union

Day 7

Both teams were back at the main hall for breakfast followed by a good warm up ready for the start of today’s matches. The U17’s started the day with a marginal loss to Huddersfield as did the U15’s to their age groups favourites Chinnor RFC. After the pool stages the final matches were worked out depending on previous performances.Both teams played well and worked had to achieve the best result possible.

After all the matches had been played each team was awarded a trophy for taking part. A big round of applause must go to the U15’s who could have won the tournament but lost to the eventual winners, and worthy winner Livorno were winning all the games with impressive displays of good open running rugby.

It has to be said that Navsfed’s strengths are in the long game and the tournament’s 5 minutes per half was always going to favour the teams that are used to playing this way. Both teams enjoyed the weekend and the tour as a whole and hopefully every tourist will have fantastic memories of France 2010.

Day 6

With any tour there seems to be a theme and Navsfed’s tour is no different and the theme is early starts and long walks and today was no different. The walk through Provins was a beautiful one through the old winding streets. Twenty minutes later the team immerged at the sports hall where breakfast for all the team was being provided.

As the teams started to arrive each team took up its own small space and either played ball or just relaxed waiting for the morning eagerly awaited Parade. Soon the noise outside became a disturbance which needed investigating. The teams headed back to the front of the building where the French, Italian, Swiss, Rumanian and English teams where in the middle of a singing contest with no apparent winner but a lot of noise all the same.

This set the tone for the parade and as soon as the lead vehicle complete with band started its slow journey through the streets of Provins the team chants and songs began. Navsfed seemed a little taken back by the sudden surge of sound but after a little encouragement soon found their voices and joined in. Both sides of the streets were lined with supporters and locals alike all wanting to take part and enjoy this annual event. As the procession was coming to an end the first team parted and made a tunnel and clapped the following team through and the next and the next. As each passed through they joined the tunnel and by the end this stretched well over a mile as each team experienced the long and enjoyable walk whilst being slapped on the back or high fived and being clapped all at the same time.

When the procession arrived back at the tournament venue lunch was waiting as was the band getting ready to entertain during the course of the day. Each team made a small part of the ground their own and in our case a marquee directly opposite the food stall, there’s a surprise.

After lunch the tournament finally got underway on two different playing fields which separated the age groups and meant that each match had its own commentator booming out action updates through their loud speaker systems. Navsfed’s U17’s were up first and narrowly lost to Paris. The U15’s on the other hand got off to a flyer and quickly set the tone for the rest of there day by winnings all their matches playing good running rugby and scoring many tries. Unfortunately the U17’s just couldn’t get the ball to work for them and finished the day less successfully.

After the final whistle of the day all participants and spectators alike congregated around the food and dink stall where the singing and laughter started and did not stop until dinner was served in the main hall. No sooner had dinner finished before the band started to play and the party started all over again. The atmosphere was fantastic with a truly world wide melting pot of nations from Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Rumania, England and of course not forgetting South Africa. The night wore on and soon it was time to get the boys back to the hotel to get a good nights rest ready for the final day of the tournament.

Day 5

Today was the group’s last morning in Paris and fittingly it was another early start. The boys were up, dressed, packed and fed by 08.45 ready to board the coach by 9.15. As the coach left Paris every body settled down to some quite reflective time before the hectic onslaught that is Parc Disneyland.

On arrival the boys dispersed at speed to satisfy their needs with all that was on offer at Euro Disney. From Cream Sodas to Toffee Apples, Hot Dogs to Pizza; Disney has it all. But before anybody even considered food there was a small but quite frightening ride that needed conquering, “Space Mountain”. On joining the queue it was obvious that it was going to be fast and interesting as it was all inside. As the ride got underway you were immediately plunged into darkness before starting to climb. There was a slight pause before you were rocketed upwards and back into the darkness where you remained until the end. What happened in between the two no one knows as is was completely black, all that can be said is that it’s a must if you are in Paris.

The day flew by at a similar pace to the roller coaster rides and before you knew it, it was time to leave. As everybody regrouped at the coach it was obvious that a good time was had by all. The coach departed for Provins almost on time but no one seemed to mind and the journey was a relatively quite one.

On arrival the group collected their bags from the coach and headed for the hotel’s car park for an impromptu throw about. The tournament organiser soon arrived to help with the check in and to hand over the tournament schedule for the following day.

Once everybody had dropped their bags off it was time to find somewhere to eat. After walking the streets of Provins with no luck a collective decision to head for MacDonald’s was made. This involved an about turn and a further walk but very soon the Golden Arches appeared and hunger was soon extinguished at least for a short time anyway.

Once back at the hotel the boys where given a quick pep talk before going to bed. The remaining members of the touring party where invited to join Italians, Rumania’s and English rugby fans also staying in the Hotel for the weekend’s tournament to enjoy some traditional hospitality before heading up to bed.

After yesterday’s late start it was inevitable that an early start was once again on the cards involving the by now familiar and enjoyable Metro. This time it involved traversing the whole of Paris from bottom to top arriving at The Stade De France. As the group walked up the tree lined Boulevade everyone's eyes were looking skywards at this very impressive stadium. On arrival Navsfed were met and taken on a two hour stadium tour that covered everything from the highest point to the changing rooms. At every locker there was one famous jersey after another from Zinadene Zidan to Thierry Henry. All the rugby playing worlds jerseys were here too and the whole group couldn't help but be impressed by the 2007 World Cup winning shirt of the Springboks.

They continued out into the pre match warm up room where the stadium tour leader explained that the room was artificially bright to wake the players up before the start of the match. Apparently England's lights weren't working before their opening match against South Africa.....

The best moment of the tour was walking through the players tunnel out onto the pitch itself. What a feeling to actully be standing where our idols have stood and to take the very steps they have taken before playing the worlds best game.

Rugby is always the winner and today was no different. The U15s second match was against a scratch side at Club Val De Bievre much like Navsfed. The teams seemed well matched but the earrlier experiences at RCF Metro needed rectifying and as soon as the whistle went the boys set about dismantling their opponents in a clinical manner. The match was over as a contest after 15 minutes but still Navsfed piled on the points. By the end the score was immaterial but no try had been conceded and still Rugby came out on top as both trams congratulated each other before spending some free time talking and getting to know one another.

Today was by comparison a very relaxed start. Breakfast was 9.00 with a 10.0m departure for Paris. The metro as always was on time, fast and reliable delivering Nasvfed in one piece directly into the heart of the City. As the group climbed the stairs from the station into Paris for the first time the look on everyone's face was a picture in itself. Cameras were out in a flash and the street Rue Danton was immediately lined with eager photographers. Once everybody had had chance to snap away we set off on a round about journey through the Paris streets en route to Notre Dame. It's always a great pleasure to see expressions on the faces of people when they see one of the World's most beautiful buildings for the first time.

There was no time to waste and following a short but important talk about tourism and safety in Paris the group quickly dissolved into the sea of people in and around Notre Dame.

When everybody met leter in the day the stories of site seeing and adventure varied widely depending on how commttied they were to explore. Some only went shopping while others made the long and rewarding walk all the way down the Seine to the Arc De Triomphe and the Avenue Des Champs Elysees. This group may claim to have made it all the way there and back on foot but this may not be the case!

The afternoon saw the U17’s head for Massy RFC for their secong game on tour. The welcome was a great deal less pompous with no fanfare and only a dog barking as the team made their way to the playing field.

Once changed and warmed up the traditional group photo was taken before the match followed by Navsfed’s U15’s guard of honour to welcome both teams to the field. Unfortunately after a lively start the game was stopped due to an injury to one of Navsfed’s players.

Later, as the whole group were sitting down to enjoy Pizza, Kobus returned with a smile on his face and a clean bill of health. As the night wore on normality returned and everyone went to bed with a smile on their face and a mind full of the sites and sounds of one of the most wonderful cities in the World, Paris.

Day 2

Today was the first day day of the tour that was completely focused on rugby.

After breakfast Navsfed once again set off to the metro for a short journey to Stade Croix de Berny. On arrival the teams headed for the training field where RC Metro were going through their paces ready for final stages of their season. The boys settled down and watched French, South African and Pacific Island International players going through their drills with awe and excitement. Cameras flashed and conversations began as the the team displayed exactly why they play professional rugby for a living.

After the training session had finished the South African Internationals came across and said hello to the whole touring party and posed for pictures. Even the French legend Sebastian Chabal graced Navsfed for a team photo. After the trainig session had finished the Chairman of RC Metro took Nasfed to his favourite local restaurant for lunch.

Once lunch had finished the teams returned to Stade Croix de Berny to prepare for their first matches on tour. Unfortunately despite the coach's best efforts to prepare Navsfed the teams lack of game time together meant RC Metro were too stong! They put in commanding performances to beat both the U15’s and U17’s. After the games had finished the boys were treated to some traditional French hospitality where they had the opportunity to speak with their opposite number.

The day came to a fitting end when the whole touring party burst into song on the coach during the journey back to the hotel.

Later in the evening the team were in for a huge surprise when players from Racing Metro joined them at the hotel and the boys were able to rub shoulders and quiz Jacques Cronje, Francois Steyn and Francois van Der Merwe.

Day 1: Navsfed arrived at the Charles de Gaulle airport tired but in good spirits and looking forward to their first day in Paris France. Once the group had collected their bags they were met by Laurence and escorted to their coach which took them to the Hotel Ibis in Gentilly.

On arrival there was no time to do anything but check in and drop their bags in the rooms before heading for the Metro. Once their tickets were bought followed by a chaotic and exciting journey across Paris to the Eiffel Tower.

On arrival the boys got together for a group photo and then set off for the elevator which took them two thirds of the way up the tower. The veiws over Paris from this height are spectacuar with all the famous sites visible if just a little small. Some of the players insisted on going right to the top but time prevented this with promises to come back later in the week to make it. After another short Metro journey back to the university district lunch and a well earned rest was enjoyed by the group.

The afternoon saw the group head to RC Metro’s training facility for the first work out on tour. The coaches promised only to give the boys a run out but 2 hrs later they were still at it. Once the training session was over the coaching team were treated to some French hospitality by the Director of RC Metro.

Once back at the hotel a well earned meal and some much needed rest was enjoyed by all with an early night planned ready for tomorrow's first matches on tour.