Full of excitement we left NLS on Sunday 2 April and headed to Birmingham airport.  After check in and security students enjoyed time at the airport (with Burger King a favourite) before boarding our flight. Our students demonstrated fantastic behaviour and awareness of other members of the public throughout the journey and we received many compliments regarding this. A smooth transition through boarder control and baggage collection and a short coach ride from the airport to the hotel, we checked into the hotel rooms with fantastic views of the sea and the resort we were staying in.

  

Day 2
Our first full day in Malaga saw the students fuel up with the all-inclusive breakfast before heading off to their respective training grounds to participate in their first coaching session of the tour in the beautiful Spanish sunshine. Then it was back to the hotel to rest and recover at the hotel poolside before the football teams played their first matches of the tour. With R&R time advised some students still had the energy and enthusiasm for time in the pool with others relaxing on the sunbeds and topping up their tans.

Soon it was time to leave for the first matches with the netballers coming along  to support and cheer on the boys! The A Team played against A. D. Benalmadena, a very technically good team, and came out triumphant with a 4-1 win. Our B team played against Atletico Benamiel who were a very physical and tough opponent. Whilst they lost 7-0 all members of the team played fantastically with great perseverance and battled right through to the final whistle!

         

Day 3
All students were up and ready promptly (with some sleepy eyes) for their second day of coaching and development. Following  their hard work and a well-earned lunch students were able to spend the afternoon at the beach club. Our timing was perfect as we were the only ones there so were able to take full advantage of all the club had to offer – lazy river, splash pad, water beds, multiple swimming pools, rubber dinghys, wave and rapids pool and of course a football pitch!

   

After a day full of excitement, during the evening the students were able to take advantage of the hotel facilities – pool tables, projector room showing the football, spa, and a games room.

Day 4
TOURNAMENT DAY!
The day we have all been looking forward to and building up to. All students looked exemplary in their football kits and netball dresses. They all played with great sportsmanship, perseverance and demonstrated incredible team work skills and support for each other.

  

Tournament Results:
Netball Team – 5^th in their respective group
Football A Team – 2^nd place
Football B Team – 7^th place

  

The evening activity was a disco for all the teams that took part in the Inspirefest tournament. After the initial avoidance of the dance floor, the students soon got into the swing of the disco showing off their dance moves!

Day 5
With room inspections at 10:30 students were busy packing and tidying their rooms ready for an 11am check out. With our plane not departing until later that evening, we spent the morning playing mini golf before lunch and the afternoon at the beach burning off the last bits of energy before it was time to depart to the airport and head home.

  

All the students and staff had a great experience throughout the tour. 
I am extremely thankful to Mr Butler, Miss Usen, Miss Davis and Mr Foxon who kindly gave up the first week of their Easter break with myself for what was a demanding, but fantastic, experience. The much appreciated celebratory communications from parents and students reiterated just how rewarding and wonderful the tour has been.

On behalf of the staff  I would like to thank the parents for their support in the smooth-running of the first Football and Netball Development Sports Tour that the NLS PE department has offered and thank the students for being absolutely wonderful and a pleasure to have on the tour!

Thank you
Miss Watkins