Outstanding success for SHS rugby in Aussie | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

Stratford High School had a highly successful tour to Australia during the recent school holidays. More than 40 teams from across Australia and a few from New Zealand competed in the Gold Coast Rugby Carnival. Stratford High had outstanding success, making the finals in their pool of 10 teams. In the finals, the team played Aranmore Catholic College from Western Australia and although the team played extremely well, they were defeated 24-10.

To get to the final, however, Stratford had five straight victories and played some very exciting rugby in unfamiliar conditions.

Even in July, the Gold Coast is hot and the grounds are dry and hard. Stratford's first game was against an English school and the next four were very competitive Australian teams.

"Making the final was a huge achievement and the school community is very proud of them", said the school's rugby co-ordinator, Jeff Walker. The trophy for their hard efforts is proudly displayed in the school foyer.

The team and accompanying adults stayed in a high-rise apartment building at Burley Heads south of Surfers Paradise.

The rooms were palatial and the tour party had a great time swimming, shopping and lounging on the beach. The seafood was fantastic as the tour party had a master chef on board. Visits to many of the Gold Coast attractions kept the tour party entertained on the days when they were not required at the tournament ground.

The school will send another rugby team in two years, with many of this year's group determined to return. The players would like to thank all the support from the community, school and families who made this tour possible.