Over the school holidays, the First XI Girls' and Boys' Hockey Teams from St Paul’s Collegiate School embarked on a two-week tour of Europe, combining hockey matches with cultural experiences. The tour started with a game in Germany, where the boys team drew 2-2 against Mannheimer HC. The teams balanced their games with visits to castles, villages, and a training session led by Darren Cheeseman, a top German coach.

In Cologne, the girls faced a tough match, losing 4-0 to Red-White Cologne U16, while the boys had a narrow 3-2 loss in Düsseldorf. Despite the scores, the students enjoyed sightseeing, including a professional match in Cologne and an unplanned encounter with the German President.

The tour continued to Antwerp, Belgium, where the teams played under challenging weather conditions. The boys secured a 3-2 win against Herakles, while the girls narrowly lost 3-2. The students also visited WWI ANZAC memorials, paying tribute to fallen soldiers in ceremonies at Messines Ridge and Menin Gate where they performed the school haka.

In Amsterdam, the final leg of the tour, both teams played their last games, with the girls winning 3-1 against BHC Overbos, and the boys losing 2-1 after a hard-fought match. The trip ended with a visit to Anne Frank's House, a memorable reflection on history before their return journey.

A special thank you to Mr Hay, Mr Matt Reese-Gibbs, Mr Churchill, Ms Spenceley, Mrs Allen and Mr Hopping and all the supporting families to have helped provide these students with memories for a lifetime.