CANADIAN VISITORS.
Port Moody High School from British Columbia on the coast of western Canada arrives in Ballina on Wednesday March 11th. The visitors will have a boys team and a girls team of 16 and 17 year olds. The girls will play Xavier College at 1:00 p.m. on THURSDAY MARCH 12th at the school grounds. The boys team will play a Ballina Rugby Club Invitation XV at Ballina Rugby Club QUAYS RESERVE at 6:00 p.m. on the same day. After the boys match there will be a get together for all players and their host families at the club house in Kalinga Street.
The touring party will spend Friday 13th visiting the local attractions and swimming at our local beaches. Then on Saturday they travel on to Queensland and a trip to Suncorp stadium to watch the QLD Reds do battle against the Natal Sharks in a Super 14 fixture. They have a couple of matches against sides in Queensland before returning to Canada.
The club’s thanks to all those generouse families who are taking the Canadians into their homes for the 3 days they are here. Hosting visitors has always been an attractive element of the rugby world, and the benefits to both host and visitor are immeasurable.
Point Moody Blues Boys won the match (22-20) , adding to the girl’s win over Xavier College Girls earlier in the day, and after a BBQ and speeches enjoyed new friendships with a few games under the lights.
March 12th, 2009 at 5:18 am
I would like like to say as one of the parents of the Canadian boy’s down in Australia, Thank-you so much for taking care of our kids for a few days while they are in Australia!!!
March 12th, 2009 at 7:12 am
Hello,
I am one of the fathers from Canada, happy to discover this piece of news about our boys and girls. Could you please upload pictures and more info about this visit? You know how teenagers are: they barely send any news back home
All the best from Port Moody, BC!
March 12th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I am a parent from coquitlam canada i have a son on this tour , these young adults have been so eager to go on this trip counting the days … This is such an opotunity like none other they will expirience … I just know they will learn so much from this … as students and rugby playing cohorts … And thanks to all those involved in hosting …
March 12th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Thank you to all our generous Australian hosts who are kind enough to provide billeting for our daughters and sons. The feedback has been so positive as they relay their experiences with all that is Australia – a country of great beauty and genuine people.
March 12th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I would like to thank the families in Australia that are hosting our sons & daughters from Canada. This is a chance of a lifetime for them to learn about Australia and playing Rugby in the land downunder. Thank you again and one day maybe we can return the favor of hosting your sons or daughters.
March 12th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Hi back from one of the Ballina Rugby host families.
Thank you for your kind comments and I can assure you that the boys that are staying with us are both lovely young men, well mannered and make their beds!! (Although not yet willing to try vegemite on their toast.)
As Rugby is such a global family I’m sure you would all do the same for our boys.
Will try to post some photos here for you from this evening’s game and function.
Cheers
March 12th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Thank you very much for hosting the teams from Port Moody
It is a trip of a life time. Please remember if you are in Port Moody Canada you will have many places to stay
Happy Rugby, enjoy and Thank you again
March 12th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Hi All:
Thank you to the Ballina Rugby and Host Families for billeting our kids from Port Moody. Our daughter Krista had such a good time with you all.
It has been a trip of a life time for these kids and you made it so special for these kids to be staying in your homes.
Hopefully we can return a stay when your team comes our way!
Thanks again!
March 13th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Dear Austalian Host Families,
As parents, we are so excited that our children are having their life time chance of experiencing Australia through their rugby tour. Thanks so very much for helping to make this dream come true for our kids. Hope we can do the same for your kids in Port Moody, Canada.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Thank you so much for giving such great hospitality to our kids
March 13th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Thank you so much! You have forever a special place in our hearts. Geographical distances mean nothing anymore. Now if only the parents could have been there too…
March 13th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Hi and thanks so much for you kindness in hosting our children. They will remember this trip for the rest of their lifes. It is so nice to know that they are in such good hands. Thanks again. Let us know if we can return the favour. We would love to have you in Port Moody.
March 13th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
To all the Australian host families
I want to add my heart felt thanks for welcoming our children into your homes. I know my daughter is having the time of her life in your country. I can not begin to express my gratitude for the welcome they have received. My doors, as well as many others, will be open for reciprocation.
Thank you again
Sandra
March 13th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
I, too, would like to thank the host families for having our children and being part of this wonderful opportunity they are having. What a memorable experience for them all. A special thank you to the family that is hosting our daughter, Cassandra. I know she has felt very welcomed. Thank you for your hospitality.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:54 am
So it’s been a long time since our tour and had some time to reflect. And just thought id leave a message to my (and everyone else’s) favorite town. Everyone was so friendly and really good at rugby. Anyway I just wanted to send this message to let everyone know that we are all doing fine, nothing has changed, our tans are gone but memories have lasted. We also have been suggesting ballina to all our friends who are traveling to Australia. CLub rugby has started and alot of the traveling team is on it. Thank you for having us, It made our tour much better, to be in a community like ballina