EXERCISE SPANISH THUNDER AGC Hockey Tour to Spain 7-19 September 2018 Lieutenant Georgina Edwards Both teams before the games against Valencia HC September 2018, full of excitement, the AGC Hockey Club comprising of both a male and female team (MOD regular and reserves), embarked on a Hockey tour of Spain. The tour was kindly supported by the Army Sports Lottery, Berlin Infantry Brigade Memorial Trust Fund, and The AGC Regimental Association and sponsorship from Serve and Protect Credit Union (Police Credit Union). Excitedly awaiting take off. Seville Seville, looked to be a cultural delight, however, before any culture could be absorbed the AGC headed to Universidad de Sevilla for both the men and women to play the first games of hockey. Unfortunately, jet lag, tiredness from travelling and two new teams against the two well-established university sides led to a heavy defeat. Despite this, both teams left the venue in high spirits.
The teams enjoying the history and culture that the wonderful city of Seville had to offer. Day two and the teams could appreciate the history of this great city. A bike tour took the group past: Cathedral of Saint Mary, Alcázar of Seville, Maria Luisa Park, Plaza de España. The tour enabled the squad to find out the history of each site and visualise why the beautiful city has been used to film elements of Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and others. The trip in Seville finished with a return trip to the University to have a much-needed training session. The teams representing the Corps, Army and the United Kingdom.
Benalmádena A well-deserved recovery session in the hotel pool awaited after a day s travel. Due to an evening push back for the games, the teams were able to compete in a game of rounders on the famous beaches before heading to Malaga Hockey Club. The hockey games were enjoyable and it was evident that the AGC had progressed from the first game. The following morning, a stretching session led by the team captains was very much appreciated, before heading to the next location. The Mens & Ladies teams and players of the match awards for the opposition, Malaga HC. Alicante Alicante, home to San Vincente HC, was the next venue. The time available during the day, due to evening games, allowed the team to take up a new sport, paddle boarding. A three-hour water session tested the teams core strength and balance. Some were better than others, everyone fell in at some point but, luckily, the weather was warm and the sun was shining. Learning new skills and improving our core strength. Some of the Mens team striking a pose!
In the evening games played against Atletico San Vicente Hockey club, it was clear the hockey standard had now improved to a reasonable standard; the men were playing against a striker who held an Olympic medal and the ladies opposition had just qualified for the nationals. Again both teams were beaten, but they played competitively, and the opposition congratulated the AGC on their team cohesion as a squad. Team photos against San Vicente, Maj Wilson awarding Juan Escarre, the player of the match award to go with his 2 Olympic Silver Medals earnt whilst Captaining the Spanish National Team! Over half way through the tour, post the San Vincente hockey games, it was clear the hockey was having an impact. Maj Wilson had injured his ankle, Sgt Salisbury had received a black eye from a hockey ball in a warm up drill and Sgt Hamilton had resurrected a previous knee injury. People had also lost toe nails, twinged muscles and were generally aching; deep heat and tiger balm were significant allies. Valencia On day eight the squad moved to Valencia, a city known for its futuristic buildings including the Oceanarium as well as traditional buildings such as the Valencia Cathedral, dating back to the Romans. The squad were exposed to the luxury of the city and arrived to find a roof top pool in their inner-city hotel. However, little time was available to relax and the teams headed to Valencia HC to play the next matches where they again suffered heavy defeats. AGC Ladies Hockey team in Valencia AGC Mens Hockey Team in Valencia
The next day the weather turned torrential and unfortunately the bicycle tour of the city had to be cancelled. Instead a trip to the Oceanarium, the largest marine complex in Europe including 45,000 animals to observe the marine life. The highlight of the visit was the exquisite dolphin show which made the squad very emotional. The delights of the Oceanarium and Science and Art Museum in Valencia, an excellent day out in Valencia. Whilst at the Oceanarium we were also booked in to see a short documentary about wildlife in coral reefs. In seats that reclined to 90 degrees the amount of hockey the teams had played was evident and after five minutes the squad had drifted asleep. Luckily, an early night was timetabled before the next day of travelling and more hockey. Barcelona Barcelona, the capital and home to the biggest hockey club in Spain, CD Terassa. The hockey games hosted here were both stunning and competitive, as the sun set the women s team lost narrowly 3-2 and the men 2-1. The Ladies team mixing with CD Terassa and the Player of the Match being awarded.
The next day the sun was shining so the next bike tour could be completed. Barcelona s rich heritage meant there was plenty to see, including: the famous cathedral, aqueducts from the 17 th century and the Plaza de San Felipe Neri. That evening gave way to the second game in Barcelona, played at Iluro. This was the last opportunity to play together until the 2018-2019 outdoor season. The ladies excelled, it was clear that the team had invested into their hockey progression throughout the tour and all the hard work of the coaches had paid off when they left the pitch having won 4-1. The men were equally successful in their development but not with the score line, despite scoring two impressive goals they once again walked away defeated. The Mens Team with Iluro HC The Ladies Team with Iluro HC Having completed the hockey, the squad was given free time in Barcelona before the final night at the hostel. The evening saw thanks given to the organisers Major Andy Wilson and Lieutenant Colonel Warren Ginn and prizes to those who had excelled: Pte Danielle Parry received players player, most improved LCpl Connie Johnson for the women and for the Men, LCpl Nikson Rai received most improved and players player. Players Player Mens Most Improved Ladies Most Improved Tour Organisers Lt Col Ginn (L) & Pte Danielle Parry LCpl Nikson Rai Cpl Connie Johnson May Wilson (R) Overall, this tour was the epitome of what the Army defines as esprit de corps. The trip comprised males and females, regulars and reserves, united by their cap badge. The team ethos could not be faulted and everyone who participated is now excited about the 2018-2019 hockey season, to play competitive hockey but also to reunite with their new AGC comrades.
The teams celebrating the end of a thoroughly enjoyable and extremely demanding Hockey Tour.