HTC Rugby Competitions

Mr Byrne took Year 11 to Canada and America in the summer of 2005 to play the best they had to offer!

This is what he had to say about a fantastic tour:

"During the summer of 2005, 19 students from Harton School took part in a three week rugby tour to Ontario, Canada and Florida, America. The fundraising for this venture was massive with a total in excess of £20,000 being raised over four and a half years. All participants on the tour had to be involved with the fundraising and all students had to comply with the expectations of the School.

The boys played four matches on tour and won all four, without conceding a single point. This is a remarkable feat when you consider some of our opponents were 18 years of age. The camaraderie and spirit which a sports tour develops was certainly evident on this tour. When the final whistle was blown in our last fixture the scenes of celebration and the look of satisfaction and achievement on the players faces will stay with me for the rest of my life, I am sure it will be the same for everybody who took part. The singing on the bus back to our hotel was a little louder that evening.

All in all a highly successful tour, the players were not only a credit to our School but also to themselves, their parents, South Tyneside, the County of Durham and even their Country. This tour provided memories and experiences which will remain with our students for the rest of their lives."

By Paul Byrne.