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CAPE TOWN, South Africa – For nine days in June, UC Davis field hockey spent time in Cape Town, South Africa to bond as a team, grow in skills as they faced top competition and experience a new culture and lifestyle together as Aggies.
“Our team trip to South Africa was an amazing opportunity to see new places, experience a different culture, and get to spend a lot of time bonding with their teammates” said head coach Austin Pile. “I’m so thankful we were able to do the trip and look forward to making it a recurring experience within our program.”
DAY ONE: On the first day of the trip the Aggies visited Table Mountain. A flat-topped landform that overlooks Cape Town, providing a stunning view of the entire city. To get there the Aggies hoped on an aerial cableway to take in all of the views.
DAY TWO: The Aggies next headed out to Boulders Beach and Seal Island. At Boulders Beach the women got to meet the penguins that famously have a colony there, interacting with the black and white creatures as they wadded on the beach.
The Aggies also hopped on a boat which took them around Seal Island where they caught glimpses of seals lounging on the rocks, taking in the sun and waves.
DAY THREE: For the third day, the Aggies visited Middelpos Farm and spent time assisting with the group INSPIRE Children and Youth. During the day the team learned more about the organization and how it serves its community.
DAY FOUR: It was finally game day as the Aggies faced off with the Constantiaberg Hockey Club. UC Davis came away with a 4-0 win and to celebrate the Aggies went to dinner at Gold Restaurant. There they experienced and celebrated the win with an authentic African dinner with a 14-dish taste safari and traditional Mali entertainment.
DAY FIVE: Before facing off against the Constantiaberg Hockey Club, UC Davis spent their fifth day out at Robben Island. There they got another beautiful boat ride, taking in the sites of Table Bay.
That evening the Aggies capped off a great day with another win, knocking off CHC 3-0. In two games against CHC the Aggies outscored their opponent 7-0.
DAY SIX: Day six’s adventure took the team to a surfing lesson on one of Cape Town’s beautiful beaches. After their morning of surfing the team got ready to take on Durbanville Hockey Club. Once again the Aggies came out victorious winning 3-0.
DAY SEVEN: The Aggies literally were flying high after their third-straight win on the trip, spending the seventh day ziplining through the Holland Nature Reserve.
DAYS EIGHT AND NINE: Over the final two days, the Aggies wrapped up their trip visiting the Aquila Game Reserve to see the Aquila Reserve Center. The Aquila Reserve Center serves as a sanctuary for animals and a temporary home before being released back into the wild.
While visiting the Aquila Game Reserve, the women got to experience morning and evening safari drives. On those trips the Aggies got to see all ranges of animals, including lions, elephants and rhinos.
With the nine days wrapped up, UC Davis returned to California with a collection of team bonding memories and moments that the Aggie women will never forget.
Source link : https://ucdavisaggies.com/news/2024/8/13/field-hockey-takes-their-game-to-south-africa.aspx
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 23:28:52
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