Russian Rugby Tour

Rugby Tour to Russia 2004

It was with great excitement that 27 boys, 5 teachers and 11 supporters left Johannesburg International airport for an adventure of a lifetime. We were off to Russia, a place where very few people get the opportunity to visit.

We landed in Moscow and were immediately taken by our hosts to the Fila Stadium were the first match of the tournament, we were invited too, was being played. We could see from the size and strength of the Russian players that this was not going to be an easy tour.

The rugby was tough. We beat the Ukraine U18 team in our first match and narrowly lost to Siberia and Slava Club of Moscow in our next two matches. The eventual tournament winners Zelenograd beat us convincingly. This left us in third place out of five teams in the tournament – an excellent performance by the boys considering the strength of the opposition.

We played a fifth game against a combination team, which will make up Russia’s U19 World Cup team to play in Wales next year. Although we lost this game the boys did themselves proud, raising their game to new levels.

In between matches we where kept busy by our hosts with an extensive cultural programme. We visited the sights of Moscow and got to see the way of life. This was an unbelievable experience. To actually stand on Red Square and take a tour around the Kremlin was surreal. We took a boat trip down the Moscow River, visited the Olympic Stadium and headquarters, were treated to a wonderful evening at the Moscow Circus and shopped for souvenirs and clothing at the Moscow Flea market.Some of our supporters attended the Bolshoi Ballet..

We went on a guided tour through the World War II memorial, museum and grounds to learn of the Soviet involvement in the war. We also had a very interesting tour of Kolomenskoe – the area where the Great Tsars of Russia had their palaces. Here we learnt of the Russian culture and history dating back to the period of the Peter the Great.

One evening we dared to try a trip on the Moscow Metro underground despite not been able to read any of the signage – it was a memorable experience – and we managed to get home to our hotel despite getting lost on the way back.

Being the first South African English High School to tour Russia and being able to experience the Russian way of life, which is so different to what we are accustomed to, was incredible. To see such historical places that were so restricted and hidden from the Western World for so long was something never to forget.

Thanks to Mr Skelton and the teachers, Mr De Ras and the parents who made this tour possible.

Mr A.Crighton

Tour Manager