Forty pupils from Penrith’s Ullswater Community College will jet off to South Africa in July for the school’s first girls only sports tour, which they have raised thousands of pounds to fund.
The netballers and cheerleaders from Years 9 to 12 will be based in Cape Town and are to play multiple sports fixtures as well as visiting schools in a nearby deprived township.
They will also get to enjoy once-in-a-lifetime activities such as a safari, whale watching, learning to surf and visiting iconic places like Robben Island and Table Mountain.
The girls, who will be accompanied by staff members Karen Castle, Pam Smithies, Alicia Grainger and Lucy Monk, have had to raise £16,500 in central funds towards things like meals and kit, plus £3,000 individually.
They have come up with all manner of fundraising ideas, including bake sales; a colour run at school (for which half the funds raised went to Cancer Research); face painting; a Christmas party; a karaoke competition with food and a quiz, held at Penrith Cricket Club; a litter pick, which they say helped with team bonding; a raffle; and a sponsored walk along the 22-mile Ullswater Way.
Individual fundraisers have included a movie night, coffee morning and big breakfast, while Year 10 student Jessie Cope set up her own baking business — producing some showstopping celebration cakes.
Netballers Olivia Beedie, Iris Turner and Grace Hall — all aged 14 — spoke about what they hope to gain from the trip.
“It will be a good cultural experience, meeting diverse people and seeing how they live compared to us,” said Olivia. “It will also lead to a better bond with all the girls.”
Iris said: “I am hoping to get some independence away from my parents. I am looking forward to surfing and swimming in the sea. It will be something completely different — a once in a lifetime experience.”
Grace added: “It will give us new opportunities — things you will never be able to do again. It will be fun to be able to go with your friends.”
The girls will play numerous netball fixtures and showcase their cheerleading skills. The school’s cheerleading team — known as the UCC Wolves — are reigning national schools champions, so are in demand to share their expertise at numerous schools in the Cape Town area.
They will also take part in cheerleading competitions against other teams and do some demonstrations and teaching with primary school children.
As part of their luggage allowance, the UCC girls are taking books and resources with them as they hope to help stock a new library.
“We would like to thank everybody who has helped support our trip,” said the girls. “We wouldn’t have been able to make it without you!”
Sponsorship of the tour program is still available by emailing southafrica2024@ullswatercc.co.uk
