Testimonials - Outbound Tours - Coaches and/or Managers

Steve Paslawskyj, Head Coach, Gladstone Park, New Zealand Tour 2008

"Tour was awesome - boys loved it everything was perfect. Thanks heaps!!"

Matt Durston, Head Coach, Hawthorn Magic 2007/08

"The tour was an amazing experience travelling around America and Canada playing against high schools of similar age and ability and being able to witness how a different country and culture go about their basketball.

Overall it was a fun filled tour that involved plenty of activities and games including sightseeing time and experiencing the American way of life.

Preparation for the tour was outstanding. Horizons outlined issues relating to money, itinerary and general international travel. I would recommend and encourage future trips by the club using Horizons as the tour organisers."

Wayne Bell, Head Coach, HSE NC/SC USA Tour 2007/08

"It was a great trip and experience both for myself and Rohan.  Marty was such a good and friendly manager, so helpful, and precise without being military.  The other coaches were good guys as well as good coaches.  The kids did very well considering the various experience and skills as well as never been together.  The hospitality and friendship shown at especially Ben Lippen was fantastic and would recommend sending future tours there.  So too was South Pointe."

Alan Parsons, Tour Manager, The Southport School, The Southport School USA Tour 2007

"Thanks for all you did with the organisation of our tour.  It was an excellent tour and very well organised.  We had a great trip.  We're very keen to tour again in 2009.  We've made good contacts and the organisers couldn't have been more helpful.  Thanks again for your organisation.  We look forward to working with you again in two years."

Lindy Kerin, Tour Manager, Waverly Falcons Tour 2006/07

"The USA basketball tour remains one of the highlights of the boys' lives.  Many thanks."

Julianne Stanton, Head Coach, HSE North Carolina Tour 2006/07

"Thank you for including me in the tour coaching staff.  Not only were the boys great to coach but the level of competition was excellent and much was learnt from a coaching perspective.  All around, the tour was very enjoyable on every level."

Herb Haddon, Head Coach, HSE NW USA Tour 2006/07

"Just a short note to say Hi and let you know that I had a great tour and to thank you for the experience.  The US was a real eye opener for me, especially the way they organise their basketball.

The kids were really well behaved and had a ball.  Loved their shopping!!  The parents were really supportive as well."

Peter Foster, Head of Year, Brisbane Grammar School Tour 2006 to China

"I write to thank you for the outstanding work that you did in organising our Basketball Tour to China in September/October 2006.  The tour was an outstanding success in all regards.

The six games we played in Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Shanghai were all of a high quality and challenged our players, both senior and junior teams, at many levels.

Our hosts within China itself were helpful, well spoken and mixed extremely well with our tour party.  We have now made contacts that will last forever.

The cultural aspects of the tour were nothing short of 'mind blowing'.  Our young men, and many adults, will never view the world with the same eyes.  We have learned a great deal about another country including their traditions and customs.

Our basketball program has benefited enormously from the tour.  Our players have grown not only as athletes but as people.

I thank you once again for this outstanding experience."

Martin Clarke, Head Coach, AIS Men's Tour 2005

Tour Report from Martin Clarke -

"Tour Company: Horizon Sports

• Well organised

• Tour booklet complete with maps, travel arrangements, hotel and van bookings and confirmations

• Regular contact leading up to and during the tour.  Horizon contact schools on regular basis to confirm arrangements

• Competitively priced

• Dealing with someone in Australia easier than someone in USA.  Time and access due to time difference.

• Organised practise times

• Would recommend using them again

The tour can be considered highly successful.  All players had an opportunity to play in all games and contributed throughout all games.  The consistent intensity of the opponents highlighted some concentration lapses of our players.  This tour is extremely valuable in exposing players to differing styles of game play."

Ross Moll, Coach and Tour Leader Whittlesea Pacers Basketball Club Tour 2005/06

"I wanted to congratulate you both on an excellent tour from all concerned at the Whittlesea Pacers.  We found the tour to be well organised allowing both sufficient times for games as well as sightseeing and leisure activities.

All the participants are still talking about their experiences many months later, and I am sure when they look back on this tour will be one of the things which helped make them into the individuals they become.

Our club is looking to run future tours and we will look to once again engage your services.  it is with much confidence that I would also recommend your services to others planning such a tour."

Robert Hortin, Coach Scotch College Tour 2005, Head Coach Scotch College

"Purpose: To provide outstanding social, cultural and sporting experiences in the heartland of basketball in preparation for the 2006 domestic APS season.

Played 7 schools: Some excellent teams at the top of their season.  Scotch group performed very well and improved considerably by tour's end.

Highlights: Porter-Gaud School and city of Charleston, Spanish Moss and wonderful, southern hospitality.  New York City and Ground Zero, Statue of Liberty, Empire State, the NBA store and Times Square.  NBA game in Philadelphia between 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Bogut put the Bucks in front with 8 seconds remaining to win the game.  Washington's Arlington National Cemetery, Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Lee's mansion, the Korean and Vietnam Veterans' Memorials, Lincoln Memorial.  Charleston's architecture, charm and elegance.  A wonderful school in Porter-Gaud.  Charlotte shopping!  College game at University of North Carolina v Santa Clara; Duke Basketball and Bookstore.  LA and Disneyland, Hollywood, and Santa Monica.

A wonderful list of experiences that will be remembered for many years.  Brilliant basketball, excellent hosts, and lots of fun along the way."

Graeme Pekin, Coach Perry Lakes Hawks Tour 2005/06, Head Coach Perry Lakes Hawks Basketball Association

"The tour was very positive and more than we expected.  We were quite taken by the atmosphere at the contests.  It is not the type of thing we are used to in Australia.  It is just another example of how we are still getting acquainted with a game that is such a part of the USA culture."

Jennifer Bottom, Coach HSE New Zealand Tour 2005, Coach PCYC Nelson Bay

“Our tour to New Zealand was excellent.  You have a great bloke working for you.  The tour was well organised.  The players were great ambassadors for their country and played some good basketball.  We could not believe the facilities available at all of the schools.  I think I'll have to take my family to New Zealand for a holiday.  Thank you and David for everything.  I really enjoyed myself and all of the attractions that we visited especially the Luge rides!"

Peter Lonergan, Coach HSE North Carolina Tour 2004/05, Head Coach Frankston Basketball Association

“Just a quick note to say thanks and well done on the way you led our tour. I know I got plenty out of it as a coach and have plenty of notes to improve my coaching and hopefully pass on to coaches here at Frankston. The day at Disney was excellent, great company and even enjoyed the Tower of Terror (sort of!!!!!) Thanks again mate.”
 

Debbie de Souza, Manager Melbourne Tigers Tour 2004/05

“It was great working with both yourself and Tania.  Will keep in touch."

Matt Bugden, Coach Canberra Grammar School (ACT) Tour to USA 2004
“…we had a great experience. It really was. You and Tania have done a fantastic job. Once again thank you for running such a smooth tour.”
 

Rex Nottage, Head Coach Newington College (NSW) Tour to USA 2004
“Tour organization - The tour was organized through Horizons Sporting Events Pty Ltd with the following requirements: To play 9/10 games in 15 days and to arrange practice on each of the 15 days – to arrange billets for our boys on 3 to 6 nights – to arrange NBA/College games to see and to provide cultural experiences of sight seeing, Disneyland etc. The company met these arrangements with final figures being: 9 games in 15 days – 4 home stays and all sightseeing requests met. From the beginning the company was very professional in their deals with us and followed through their commitments to the letter. Throughout the tour they were in constant contact, updating information and advising us of changes as they occurred. The only change that affected us was the withdrawal of one game due to the school winning the State Football Championships and the town had gone into “party mode” Horizons then proceed to arrange another game for us with all details taken care off (quite an achievement in the short time frame!) This allowed the tour to continue without a problem. I would like to thank Chris McCoy – Director of Horizon’s Sporting Events for his efforts and straight forward and professional approach making this tour an excellent experience for all involved.
Basketball experience - We travel with 19 players (1st and 2nds) and played the 1st against Varsity teams (schools top team) and the 2nds competed against their Junior Varsity teams (year 10 and under). The final win/loss records being: 1st team 4-5 and the 2nds 8 – 1. This was an outstanding result for a touring group.
The goals for the tour were to compete in every contest (physically and mentally) and to improve individually and collectively. Early in the tour our teams struggled due to the distractions of girls (students – cheerleaders – etc) and the general environment of American High School basketball. As the tour progressed and we improved our ability to focus on playing the game, we achieved our objectives. This was especially true in the last week of the tour when it was noted by our opposing coaches that both teams were playing at a high level. Many thanks must go to Coach Ley for his professionalism with the boys and our 2 parents Mr Hannaford and Mr Brien who were only too willing to help out when asked and in fact added to the experience gained by the boys.
Summary - This was a great experience for all involved. From both a cultural and basketball point of view, the boys have been through an experience that will have a lifetime impact. Their behaviour was excellent and we had many compliments from the Americans regarding their manners and respect for others. Each night it was a pleasure to watch our boys stand and sing our National Anthem with pride and passion. This was an event that affected everybody in the gym and won us many new friends. The boy’s were outstanding ambassadors for Newington and Australia.”

Evelyn Jacobs, Coach of Varsity Boys Northern Country NSW USA Tour 2004/05, teacher at Melville High School
" Thanks for getting the tour together for us, the kids all had a great time and the winter experience in the snow was priceless."
 

David Bennett, Coach of JV Boys HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2003/04, teacher at Brisbane Boys College
“…I am happy to …encourage others of the worthwhile nature of this tour.”  

Brett Coxsedge, Coach of NSW ITCP Tour 2003
"I would like to thank all the participants who took part in the tour.  All represented Basketball NSW and the ITCP with pride and were great ambassadors.  I would also like to thank Basketball NSW and Basketball Australia for their support.  Finally I would like to thank Horizons Sporting Events for their organisation of the tour.”