Director of Activities Neil Saggers, coach of the Second XI, and PE teacher Rebecca Greenaway, the new First XI coach for 2012, accompanied the Year 10 to 12 boys on tour. Mr Saggers said most days began with an early morning training session, which included a run along the Tan Track and fitness training at St Kilda Beach.

The boys then had some free time to sightsee, before competition in the afternoons. A highlight was their match against Xavier College, played at the State Hockey Centre, used for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. “This was a great experience for the boys,” Mr Saggers said.

Other teams, who really challenged the Christ Church side, were Carey Baptist College, Melbourne Grammar, Auckland Grammar (who were hosted by Melbourne Grammar) and hometown rivals Hale School, who incidentally are coached by Mrs Greenaway’s husband.

Mr Saggers said the group were extremely well behaved and relished all that Melbourne had to offer. “The boys really enjoyed the tour of MCG, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, a trip to the Victoria Markets and even got into the fashion stakes while shopping at Chapel Street,” he said.

Finally, Mr Saggers said the improvement in the tour boys was very noticeable on the field last weekend against Scotch. “There was noted improvement in all the boys from the tour, especially Lachie Gilmour, the only Year 10 selected in the First XI, who defeated Scotch 3-2,” he said.