With the help of the French Department – namely Madame Marie Terrese Couch, Mrs Annette Dommett and Mr Tony Bruton – the ‘French Connection’ was established and the school made exciting excursions into the heartland of French rugby:

• 1974: Pau

• 1978: Bordeaux

• 1980: Bordeaux.

No costs were spared on these trips, the school hired the best ‘Lewington Coaches’ could provide; on one of the Bordeaux trips the coach broke down whilst still on the ferry and which resulted in the hire of a new coach in Calais – at 7.00am on Easter Sunday!!

Our teams enjoyed the style of rugby the French teams played which in turn, according to John, influenced a little of our future Campion rugby ethos. At the same time all the staff became ‘experts’ on French wines.. especially red wines in the Bordeaux Province.

expanding our horizons

It wasn't until my second year in teaching that I began to understand what Campion all about. Yes, 5 nights a week training with various years - that was almost acceptable for a new teacher, but the true essence of the game developed when into my classroom one day walked a small Welshman (by all accounts- a pygmy with an accent).

"Eh, Keith, can you do me a favour?" (A phrase now so familiar that they have a special tie and club back in England for all those who have been approached by the famous J.D.)

“We've got 40 Australians arriving tomorrow and we need beds - honest to God, I'll only ask you this once!"

The lilt, the pleading, the promise that it would only happen once - it all seemed so plausible. So, for the next 4 days my house played host to 2 large Australians

It was the start of an era. Almost every year the school has hosted two if not three touring sides. They have come from all over the world – Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland and France

One weekend we had over 100 people staying at the school. It was a classic hotel story - we had simply double booked. The two teams, from New Zealand, Te Aute College and Palmerston North also happened to be local rivals in rugby

Te Aute arrived on Thursday night, all Maoris with the exception of one player. The tour was a Centenary celebration of the first tour to England in 1887, it certainly proved to be an historic visit.

On the Saturday morning the Palmerston North squad arrived – chaos reigned for a second time as we matched up the guests to hosts

Saturday night for everyone concerned was a time to relax. For Palmerston guests it was an opportunity to introduce them to English culture. We took the staff on a drive deep into the heart of Essex to sample good food and wine in a very old English pub-log fires, oak beams and a very old barman - what more could we ask for

English breakfast the following morning and then onto school to watch Te Auto play our 1st XV. The Maori boys seemed small, fit and beatable – that was until I saw them perform the HAKA. For the first time in my life I stood by a real Maori team performing this pre-match ritual. We had been told to hold fast" and stare the challenge out. Our boys did just that the crowd were silent, and I nervously shivered as the HAKA began. it was an incredible feeling

In rugby terms, both teams put on one of the finest displays of rugby I have seen in a schoolboy match. Sadly, we lost, but only after a determined effort.

After the game there was the usual dinner and presentations - but for Te Aute this was also a cultural tour, and so battered and bruised the Maori boys got up on stage and began to sing Maori songs and perform Maori dances. For over 1 hour we were entertained in a way we never thought possible. For our part the 1s XV boys rose to the occasion and performed a number of songs - including renditions from our now famous barbershop group.

In the evening we entertained the staff and introduced them to traditional Irish music and singing. They were certainly in for a shock when they were asked to stand up and perform some traditional Irish dancing -never let it be said that Campion doesn’t get people involved

That weekend provided a platform for many friendships to develop. Contacts have remained, and letters regularly written. For most, if not all tours we have hosted, there has been a development in terms of friendship from every single group.

Most notably our multisports tours to Ireland have led to regular visits by Irish schools. Boys hosted on our first tour some eight years ago still visit the families who hosted them whilst in Ireland. In fact, on my regular visits to Ireland, people frequently talk of the tour - our mascot remains firmly seated in the front room of a teacher's house in County Wicklow

Certainly, our greatest honour as a school was to host the Australian National schoolboys’ side in 1985. They were to play all the National sides with the exception of Wales who were unable to provide facilities for the party. One phone call to the school and it was all prepared. When they arrived, they seemed like giants - there were certainly many comments made by parents about them being simply too big for the bed

The match held at Basildon rugby club under floodlights attracted a large crowd. The atmosphere was electric. If Te Aute were a team to beat this was the ultimate challenge. The tackling and sheer commitment had people off their seats - it was a terrific game. We lost 13-0 no shame at all considering it was the lowest score against any National team on tour. Nationally, and now Internationally. Campion's name was becoming connected with a very high standard of rugby

The game is only part of the tour. The friendships gained, the people met and the experiences you go through all make for a time never to be forgotten. Certainly touring, and over the past nine years hosting., Rugby has, without a doubt played a great deal in adding to the experience of life for many people.

Needless to say, everyone involved in the tour is looking forward to Canada

Our tour motto "Per Ludum Amicatae" (Friendship through sport) will surely be at the forefront in all we do. Here's to Canada, new friends and many new experiences

K. WILLIAMS, Head of Sixth Form

Taken from the 1991 Tour Brochure