It was an early start on Thursday 1st February as we met at Belfast International Airport at 5am for our flight to Manchester. 19 excited students embarked on a packed 36 hours across the pond. With everything on time we landed in Manchester and were then greeted with our luxurious coach, that had a kitchen and coffee machine for the staff and personal TV screens and Spotify for the students.
The first part of our itinerary was a match against a local school. The students participated in both Netball and Football matches and the girls learnt lots on and off the pitch playing against another school in a different country. Even though the students were tired they worked hard and ensured they put in their best efforts. We then got back on the coach and left for our hotel in the city centre but first stopping of at McDonalds for a well-earned lunch.
We then headed to the hotel to get comfortable and relax for a few hours. The evening itinerary involved a trip to Nandos for tea followed by the arcades and a few games of 10 pin bowling. We then headed back to the hotel for a well-earned night’s sleep.
On Friday morning the students woke and after having breakfast at the hotel had time to go shopping in the Arndale for a few hours. This was followed by lunch before we got back on our coach and went to Manchester Citys’ Etihad stadium for a tour. After a quick visit to the souvenir store we got back on our coach and headed back to the airport and back to Belfast.
Throughout the tour the girls behaved themselves very well and were a credit to themselves, their families and the school.
We arrived back in Belfast, filled with wonderful memories and an eagerness for next year’s trip!
Mrs Doherty-Clarke, Miss Hill and Mr Potts
