The annual Dragons pilgrimage to the Good-Neighbour Tournament at the AIS began on 28th November 1998.
For those new members who don't know about
'Tour", here's a run down. Each year for the last
eleven years a group of Dragons players, men and
women, have made a bus trip down to Canberra. We
stop on the way down at various towns (preferably
with beaches or tourist features) to get some match
practice. Virtually anyone can come on tour,
regardless of your volleyball experience, although this
year an "over-18" trial rule applied. We appreciated
the opportunity this year, to not have to be
responsible for younger players. Instead we
concentrated on enjoying some Dragons-cheer when
we wanted to celebrate victories.
The whole idea of tour is to get away for 7-10 days,
play great volleyball, meet other Dragons that you
might not usually play with and have a damn good
time. The emphasis is on F U N. Fortunately 1998
proved to be a fantastic year competitively and
socially and a good time really was had by all. There
were seven "tour-virgins" this year (people who were
making their first trip with the club). I was one of
them and I'm here to spread the word that it's a really
great experience and I hope to see you on the bus in
December 1999.
Here's a very brief run down of events.
Saturday:
Meet at Brigits, pack the bus, go wine
tasting at Stanthorpe.
Sunday:
Travelled to Coffs Harbour, played them, ate
their BBQ food and drinks. THANKS COFFS!
Monday:
Travelled to Newcastle, quick beach stop,
played Newcastle at Uni. A rip carries Boris and
Dante down the beach.
Tuesday:
Travel to the Blue Mountains, Katoomba.
Some people bushwalk, others sleep in the afternoon.
At night a record is broken for the most Dragons to fit inside a phone booth. Telstra would be proud.
Wednesday and Thursday:
Stay at Corrimal Beach near Wollongong. Two days of sunning, swimming, cricket, Beach volleyball and relaxing. We also played Illawarra indoors.
Friday/Sat/Sun:
Volleyball at the AIS, Canberra. Some of us went out on the Saturday night. The music at the club we went to was great! Had a bit of a dance, few drinks, one Dragon came home very late
(met a girl).
Monday and Tuesday:
Two rather long days on the bus. Ken threw up partly on the bus, partly on himself and partly on me. We are still friends though.
Wednesday:
I go back to work wishing I was still on tour.-
Until next tour.
Jodie Thomas-Tourer.
The Survival Tour Of 1998
Due to a shaky start, caused by many injuries,
the Annual Dragons Tour didn't seem too
promising at first. However through our hard
work and determination, 3 teams were finally put
together at the last minute (Thanks Shamus) for
what would become an awesome and truly
amazing ten days.
For most of us the Tour was just another Tour
trying to best last years efforts on the court and in
the phone box. But for the Tour Virgins it was
an experience to see how much alcohol would be
consumed, how many practical jokes would be
played and of course who was smart enough to
get out of washing those sweaty & smelly
jerseys.
The trailer was full and CLOSED, it was time to
board the mini bus and grab the best seat in the
house, and so the family of dragons set off on the
journey to Canberra to win us some GOLD.
Throughout the ten days we drank, we played beach,
we relaxed, we drank some more and of course we
played the Good Neighbour Tournament and didn't
we kick some butt.
I am proud to call myself a Dragon after the
performances from my team mates. Dragons came 1st
2nd and 3rd in their divisions, which is pretty
impressive and of course, I thought, were well
deserved.
The highlight of the tour was Dave serving 6 serves to
bring in an impressive victory after being down and
nearly out.
A good time was had by all and some Special
friendships were made, but I admit it was good to get
home and away from you all..ha ha!!!!!
This year's tour will be even more eventful and more
fun and here's hoping we can better last years
rankings.
GOOD LUCK TO THIS YEARS TOUR VIRGINS!!!!!!!!!
Susan Hay
