Balby Carr pupils tour France & Belgium
Friday 9th July 2010
On Thursday 1st July 34 students departed at 6am to experience 4 days of French culture and football. The players of all ages were determined to put their country back on the map showing that we can play football. As part of their preparation each child started the journey with a variety of healthy choice foods including Pringles, Cookies and Burger King by 10am! On arrival, the yr 7 and 9/10 boys teams were instantly thrown into action against an English side who offered a friendly game to help the teams prepare for their tour. The yr 7 team finished 2:2 and the yr 9/10 team finished victorious 3:1. That evening ended with a few games of ten pin bowling in which Andrew Middleton, Danny Frost and Fox Riley showed off their skills (and poor dancing styles!).
The following day all 3 teams hit the beach and despite the tide being 1.4km out some were determined to still go for a paddle, however they wished they hadn’t have stripped off and legged it as after 3 minutes they seemed to be no closer. That afternoon all 3 teams played their games in conditions of approx 32oC which proved to be very difficult for some and especially with the fitness levels. The yr 7 boys finished 4:4, the yr 9/10 boys finished on the wrong end of 4:2 and the girls game finished in defeat by 7:2.
That evening all players relaxed with a few games of 5 a side and some fun games of cross bar challenge to which a staggering 0% managed to hit the bar!
Saturday brought about a real change to the day as we headed to Belgium to tour the battlefields and search for the fallen of Balby during the Great War. Students were interested to see the burial sites at which young soldiers from the area of Balby (some even as close as next door to current homes of students) had died defending their country. The day was split with yet another football fixture against local French opposition Lille, where by the yr 7 team finished 4:4, yr 9/10 lost 5:3 and the girls’ team finished 3:3.
That evening students travelled to the Menin Gate Ceremony whereby Keith Musson, Joe Bennett, Ross Stevenson and Holly Williams were given the honor of laying the wreath from Balby Carr Community Sports and Science College in memory of the fallen.
The journey back to France was a long journey however everyone was soon wide awake by the idea of the roller disco for which Miss Wilsher was able to demonstrate her hidden talent as well as a guest appearance from Torvil and Deane on skates!! By far the best evening entertainment in ages for everybody.
Unfortunately the following day was home time and despite students calling for ‘more’ we had to bring them home as much needed rest was required by all!! Overall the staff would like to thank all the students involved for making it a fantastic experience and a well worth while tour.
Watch this space for the DVD of France 2010!!
Mr Pickesgill, Miss Wilsher, Mr McDonald, Miss Pearson. | 
