Our long awaited and much anticipated Sports Tour to Malaysia set off on Friday 14 October. We enjoyed ten days of fantastic sport and culture with lots of fun along the way.

In total, the students played six netball matches and six hockey matches against local schools in Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. Adapting to hot and humid conditions against a distinctive style of play was such a great learning experience for all. One which we all relished, and which undoubtedly built resilience and versatility. The students successfully won all six of their netball fixtures and three of their hockey matches in well contested matches. This was all hugely facilitated by the outstanding hospitality of all our Malaysian teams, their schools and families who welcomed us with such warmth and enthusiasm.

Interspersed with the sport, we experienced a wonderful taste of Malaysian culture. From the big city of Kuala Lumpur and the amazing panoramic views from the famous Petronas Towers to the little piece of jungle in the heart of the city at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia where we learnt about the indigenous flora and fauna and their medicinal uses. We got a glimpse into the Batu Caves, the Hindu temples and the largest and most impressive Hindu shrine outside of India, and met the beautiful orangutangs on the island of Bukit Merah where so much is being done to save and support these majestic animals.

There was also a lot of fun including the waterslides of the Sunway Lagoon, the beach volleyball in Penang and the shopping excursions in the local markets where everyone was able to hone their bartering skills.

Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the amazing food we experienced along the way. In the fantastic hotels we stayed in breakfast itself was an international buffet and all the local restaurants we dined in offered a mixture of Malay, Indian and Chinese fare.

It was a privilege to travel with 36 girls from Years 11-13 and three staff from the Sports Department. The camaraderie, teamwork and shared experiences were second to none.

We are already starting to plan our next tour!

Gillian Rodgers, Director of Sport