Hockey and netball tour to South Africa reflection
When James Allen’s Girls School, an independent in south London, booked a school hockey tour to South Africa with Edwin Doran Sports Tours, they added netball to the same trip. The dual-sport format brought the year group together for a programme of competitive fixtures, training and cultural excursions to Kayamandi Township, Robben Island and Table Mountain.
According to Emma Whyte, Head of Year 9 at the school, the clearest sign of a successful tour is how pupils behave when they get home. Her squad came back more determined, more cohesive and with higher expectations of themselves and each other.
Here’s how James Allen’s approached the trip, what the pupils took from the sporting and cultural elements and what difference it has made back at school. For any teacher, Director of Sport or Head of Year considering a similar trip, Emma’s first-hand reflections are a useful place to start.
Is South Africa a good destination for a school hockey tour?
Yes, and the case for it goes well beyond the sport itself. Cape Town offers competitive fixtures against established girls’ schools, first-class AstroTurf facilities and a programme of cultural and outdoor experiences that genuinely stretch pupils as young people, not only as athletes. For James Allen’s Girls School, that combination was the draw. But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what Emma Whyte had to say:
“We chose South Africa because it offers a unique blend of competitive sport, cultural learning and excursions, all within a friendly and welcome environment. Our main aims were to stretch the girls athletically, deepen team bonds and provide a meaningful educational and cultural experience beyond the classroom.“
For James Allen’s Girls School, the October timing worked particularly well, with comfortable weather and a strong balance between match days and excursions.
“The sporting challenge, cultural depth and unforgettable experiences make it incredibly worthwhile.”
How does combining hockey and netball on one tour work for girls’ schools?
Combining hockey and netball on one tour is practical and efficient, and it brings the year group together as a single touring squad rather than splitting them across two separate trips. For a girls’ school running both programmes, the dual-sport format means shared fixture days, shared excursions and a stronger sense of collective identity for the year group.
During their hockey and netball tour, James Allen’s squad played competitive fixtures against established schools including Milnerton, Paarl Girls’ High, Muizenberg and Reddam House. The school hockey tour to South Africa gave the players exposure to a quicker, more attacking style of play; the netball element of the tour worked the same invasion-game skills, spatial awareness, decision-making and team communication, in a different sport. Across both sports, the development gains were the same: resilience, adaptability and how to respond to unfamiliar opposition.
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Playing our South African opposition allowed the girls to see sport played with passion, pace and creativity.
Emma Whyte, Head of Year 9, James Allen’s Girls School
What does a school sports tour to Cape Town include?
A school sports tour to Cape Town combines competitive fixtures with some of South Africa’s most powerful cultural sites and outdoor experiences. James Allen’s itinerary featured the Cape Canopy zip-wire in the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve and a guided walking tour of Kayamandi Township. Other highlights included Robben Island, Table Mountain and the penguins at Boulders Beach.
Each element added a different dimension to the tour. The Cape Canopy pushed pupils out of their comfort zones in the best possible way. Kayamandi sparked thoughtful conversations afterwards about privilege, opportunity and resilience. Walking through Robben Island prison alongside a man who had been imprisoned there himself during apartheid gave the girls a profound insight into South Africa’s recent history; many reflected on it as an experience they will never forget. From Table Mountain to the wildlife encounters, Emma described countless “wow” moments the pupils will carry for life.
How does an Edwin Doran sports tour develop young athletes?
An Edwin Doran sports tour develops young athletes by combining well-fixtures, exposure to different styles of play and a structured programme that gives pupils real responsibility on and off the pitch. The development is visible back at school.
According to their Head of Year 9, James Allen’s girls’ training standards have lifted since the tour returned. The girls are more vocal in supporting each other, the year groups has a stronger sense of shared identity and they talk about their tour constantly. Emma also credited Edwin Doran’s team and logistics for making a complex long-haul trip feel manageable, singling out the staff’s professionalism and the squad’s coach driver as particularly reassuring throughout.
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Pupils came back more grounded, more appreciative and with a greater understanding of the world.
Emma Whyte, James Allen’s Girls School
Plan a school hockey and netball tour to Cape Town with Edwin Doran
If your secondary school is weighing up a long-haul sports tour for hockey and netball, the Edwin Doran team can talk through itineraries, fixtures and timing to suit your group. October worked well for James Allen’s Girls School; another window may suit yours better. Request a quote to start the conversation.
“For any teacher or Director of Sport considering a tour to Cape Town: do it.”
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year for a school sports tour to Cape Town?
October is a strong choice, with comfortable weather and a good balance between sport and excursions, although many other months would suit. Edwin Doran’s South Africa hockey season typically runs from March to August, but Cape Town’s climate supports school sports touring across a wider window. Speak to the team about timing that fits your school calendar and competition schedule.
What standard of hockey and netball can my team expect in South Africa?
South African school sport is played with passion, pace and creativity, and your pupils can expect opposition that challenges them to adapt quickly. Fixtures are tailored to your group’s level. Players come away with new ideas about how the game can be played and a much clearer sense of their own resilience under pressure.
Is a long-haul school sports tour to South Africa safe for pupils?
Yes, with the right operator behind you. Common pre-tour concerns are logistics, safety, accommodation and the overall quality of the experience for the pupils. Edwin Doran addresses each one through experienced staff, vetted suppliers and round-the-clock support while you are away. For James Allen’s Girls School, that reassurance ran from the initial planning conversations through to the team’s coach driver on the ground.
