Testimonials - Outbound Tours - Players

Justin Tomas, Player, NSW, HSE NC & SC Tour 2006/07

"I'm just writing to you to thank you 4 giving me the opportunity to go on this trip.  I would never had got the chance to experience what I did with just a normal holiday to the usa and i just wanna say thank you for inviting me and allowing me to have a great trip."

Luke McKeown, Player, QLD, HSE NC & SC Tour 2006/07

"Just want to say thank you for a great tour.  I was in the Joey's team coached by Trevor Cook, who was an excellent coach.  It was a good experience playing against the high school teams as it was good to see the level that the players were playing at.

In particular i liked the NBA and university basketball games we saw on tour.  Both games gave me a look at the standard needed to play at that level in America.

I would have liked to have a longer stay with the families that took us in, but the time i did have was very much enjoyed.  Thanks again for the tour."

Garrett Ellwood, Player, QLD, HSE NC & SC Tour 2006/07

"Thanks so much for the tour.  It was very good to see where i am at as a basketball player.  Thankyou for the experience."

Daniel Dinte, Player, NSW, HSE IN & KY Tour 2006

"The tour was one of the best experiences i have ever had, I learnt so much from the coaches about basketball and how to get better in the future.  Thank you so much for the experience."

Patrick Stanton, Player, NSW, St Patricks College Tour 2005

"Walking through an American high school for the first time was an awkward and intense experience, seeing things we have never seen before. The feeling of being in the US had really sunk in. The coaching staff and players were quiet friendly and welcoming, as were the girls.
The varsity team were introduced with music and a cheering tunnel showing their great school pride. We exchanged small gifts and then proceeded with the game.
After the game all the players and coaches showed their great hospitality by inviting us to dinner at a local Mexican restaurant called Del taco. We talked with all the players, coaches and some of the girls who were all friendly and interested in Australian culture. We also found out a lot about their culture, mostly sport and leisure, as it is quiet popular in the States."

Michael Di Natali, Player, NSW, St Patricks College Tour 2005
"Beverly Hills was our destination and we were on the look out for beautiful women & big mansions. Speaking of beautiful women the Varsity boys spotted O.C star Mischa Barton! What a babe! We continued cruising around Beverly hills shopping and taking photos at famous sites.
We returned to the hotel briefly to freshen up and put our new items in our rooms. We got back in the vans and headed out to dinner at an Italian restaurant named ‘Rufino’. It was pretty good value in money terms, all you can eat for $10.
After dinner we returned to the hotel in a drag style fashion with Simon gaining the finishing edge and returning to the hotel first. Overall it was an enjoyable day that had many laughs."

Joseph Faraj, Player, NSW, St Patricks College Tour 2005
"The third day in LA was to be just as exciting and fun packed as the previous. We headed off to the mall being it the first thing, which was just around the corner from the inn. On arrival we all decided that we’d go off shopping and looking around the mall for 2 hrs and meet up back at the original spot. The mall offered a vast array of shops to do with shoes, sporting goods, entertainment and a clothing shop where everyone blitzed it because of the deals it offered.
It was now time for the Varsity boys to play. We were up against all 6- footers nothing less and introduced with our name and numbers being called out. The game was like what you see in the American high school movies, fast and quick tempo with mad hops and dunks. With 2 of the dunks being over Liam which was well deserved after slamming a opponent with the ball down under trying to keep it in play. The opponents proved to be very tough with their fast and quick moving plays and excellent defence. Though we managed to keep it a good game with our own of good plays and passes, but the opponents took the game with a convincing win.
After the two games we were guests at a dinner prepared for all the teams by the host school. The dinner gave us some time to mingle and get to know the players."

Joseph Fahd, Player, NSW, St Patricks College Tour 2005
"To start our second day in Las Vegas we woke up looking forward to a day full of shopping especially after we found out that it was Coach Smiths Birthday. After a full day of shopping in one of the outlets in Las Vegas containing 130 shops, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for a game against Mountain View High School.
The junior varsity game turned out to be a very positive one with the final score being 68 – 64 with St Patrick’s getting the upper hand from lots of strong rebounding from the big men, and high intensity both on offence and defence.
The Varsity game was not as successful with the final score being 59 – 46 St Patrick’s lost.
After the game we went back to the hotel and got ready for a big buffet dinner at Mirage Hotel and casino. After dinner we went walking through the strip for a little sight seeing adventure through the strip. "

Liam Windon, Player, NSW, St Patricks College Tour 2005
"Today started off with a nice and early wake up for the most of us, after spending our first night in Phoenix with our billets. We headed off to Chandler mall where we did a little bit of shopping followed by happy laps admiring the beauty of the American booty.
After the movie Coach Smith and Mr Richardson drove us back to Seton Catholic so we could prepare for the evening games. JV was up in the first game playing a much taller Seton team who were very well drilled and weren’t scared to pull up and knock down a good shot. In the first half the boys were out played but then by the second they decided to focus and rebound and scored more points then there opponents. The final score was in Setons 52-35.
Next up was the varsity game which looked to be exciting with a large crowd appearing and the entertainment off the hottest high school cheer leaders you have ever seen, just like in all the movies. Up against a well drilled and much faster Seton the Varsity team went down convincingly in a hard battle 79-54. Not to worry after a big talk from Coach in the locker rooms after the game the boys went out for a BBQ and to get back to chatting to ladies who couldn’t get over our accents.
After dinner the two teams all went back to there billets house to stay over for the last night and give the mothers all our washing which hadn’t been washed since leaving Sydney."

Andrew Doyle, Player, NSW, St Patricks College Tour 2005
"The day started with us departing our host families and meeting back at Seton Catholic High School. We loaded up the vans with our luggage and climbed in. It was a short drive to our destination, the Arizona State University. Where we walked around the stadium and then visited the gift shop.
The game that evening against South Point Charter School was close from the beginning and with varsity up in the final few minutes it looked to be a win but it was not to be. South Point Charter School where down by two points with only ten seconds left when they drained a fade-away three pointer in front of where the JV team were sitting, to win 52 to 51."

Nick Kirwan, Player, NSW, St Patricks College Tour 2005
"The afternoon saw us head to downtown Phoenix for the NBA game, the Suns vs Cavs. Many of the boys took the opportunity to spend some more money at the game and get some photos with the best looking cheerleaders in the world. The game was a close one, with Lebron scoring 47 points and Phoenix eventually pulling away with the win."

Joseph Gallace, Player, NSW, St Patricks College Tour 2005
"The Varsity team began their warm-up, starring down their opposition who had the crowd to their side. Then came the time for the introduction, both teams ran out onto the court, the national anthem of both Countries was played, and the boys shook hands and mixed gifts with each other. We were honoured to be in the presence of Mike Jefferson (boxing announcer) who began the match with the well known phrase LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE. Varsity won the tip-off but the opposition scored first. The boys played strong and hard on defence.
There was an after game dinner held in the gym consisting of chicken and pizza slices. Many of the boys stocked up and went back for seconds etc. After dinner there was a slide show presentation which showed highlights from the game."
 

Natalie Smith, 16, Adamstown NSW, HSE New Zealand Tour 2005

“I just wanted to say how good the New Zealand tour was.  I would really like to go again next year!!  New Zealand is an amazing place.  I would love to do it all again!!"

Ryan Nobbs, 18, Batemans Bay NSW, HSE Canada Tour 2004/05

“to T & Coach, i had a awesome time going overseas playing ball against those Canadian cats and winning games but losing was not good.  This trip made me a better baller for the future to come, and i wanna thank the McCoy's for all their hard work into putting this trip a memorable one for the future, and the good times i had wit all the new friends i made.  One Love: Ry-Man"

Mae Soliva, 18, Artarmon NSW, HSE Canada Tour 2004/05

“I had an absolutely AWESOME time on the tour just past.  Thankyou once again for the fun times and the brilliant memories!"

Cameron Green, 17, Manly NSW, HSE Canada Tour 2004/05

“I am writing to thank you guys for the great trip that you guys provided and all the hard work that went on behind the scenes. I personally had a great time and I know everyone else on the tour did also.”

Marty Page, 15, Mudgee NSW, HSE Canada Tour 2004/05

“Just like to say hi and a big thanks to you and Tania.  I had heaps of fun on the tour and learnt a lot.  Looking forward to one day seeing you guys again."

Sophie Cartwright, 17, Gosford NSW, HSE Canada Tour 2004/05 (and HSE New Zealand Tour 2003)

“I had an awesome time while i woz away and thax for everything while we were there.  If i can convince mum ill b bak at the end of the year for sure!  Thanx again guyz, hope to c u soon."

Peter Alexander, 17, Brisbane QLD, HSE Canada Tour 2004/05 (and HSE North Carolina USA tour 2003/04)

“Thanks for the great tour, I really enjoyed myself and made great friends."
 

Tim Lewis, 17, Penrith NSW, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2004/05
“How kool was the NC tour! I’m saving up already for this year. I’m gonna work on my hops as well so we can have a rematch at Venice beach…”
 

Melissa Conlin, 14, Coolangatta QLD, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2003/04
“I just wanted to email you to let you know what a great time I had in America. Thank you so much for all the work you and Tania must’ve put in to make the tour go as well as it did. I hope you both had a great time and I also hope you know how much all your work paid off. It mustn’t have been easy. I can’t express in words how great the tour was. I can’t thank you enough.”
 

Ben Hayman, 17, Moss Vale NSW, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2003/04
“…juz though id reply nd say thanx 4 an awesome experience that ill neva 4get, already had guyz come down nd stay tha weekend…”
 

Amy Cook, 17, Brisbane QLD, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2003/04
“…thanks for the best trip of my life!!!!!!!!!!!”

Adam Hyman, 15, Pymble NSW, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2003/04

“…I would like to thank you…for giving me the chance to play basketball in America. I am also very much looking forward to next year’s tour I have already started saving up so count me in!”
 

Kiah Sweetman, 15, Coffs Harbour NSW, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2003/04
“I am just writing to thank you guys for everything you did for me on tour. I had the best fun ever and I might bring my little sister on tour again with me in a couple of years. Thanks again.”
 

Luke Dowson, 15, Wollongong NSW, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2003/04
“..to say thank you once again for the awesome trip!! I had the time of my life and I’m sure everyone else did as well. The trip would not have been half as good without both of your efforts and I hope you continue to provide these opportunities to others.”
 

Sophie Cartwright, 16, Gosford NSW, HSE New Zealand Tour 2003 (and HSE Canada Tour 2004/05)
“I’d just like to say thank you both for such a wonderful trip to New Zealand at Easter. I had soooo much fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Everyone was so nice and you took us almost everywhere we wanted…I have enough funny memories and jokes to last me a life time. Thanx again, and good luck in your future endeavors.”

Jackie Allen, 16, Temora NSW, HSE New Zealand Tour 2003

“I just looked at the photos and stuff from our NZ tour, they were excellent! Seeing them makes me want to go back!!”
 

Claire Dutallis, 17, Goulburn NSW, HSE New Zealand Tour 2003
“…Sightseeing and interaction within the team members was a great part of this tour. The basketball competition (Easter Basketball Challenge) was also an amazing experience. The accommodation was excellent. The facilities the hotels had to offer were excellent and how they helped us out was also welcoming.”
 

Kelly Klaare, 15, Dubbo NSW, HSE New Zealand Tour 2003 (and HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2003/04)
“Thank you so much for inviting me to participate in the New Zealand basketball tour. It was a lot of fun and a great learning experience. Thank you for all the hard work, time and effort you put into the tour it is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten. Please continue to keep me informed on any upcoming tours, training camps or anything you think I would like to participate in it would be great to attend another tour to improve my skills and learn a lot more again and to meet wonderful people like yourselves. Thank you so much again.”
 

Sam Orford, 15, Cowra NSW, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2002/03
“Thank you for the opportunity that you have provided me with through the recent tour of the USA. Not only did I meet new friends, but my basketball improved so much that it is hard to imagine. Thank you for the opportunity, and I wish you all the best of luck with all of your upcoming tours.”
 

Tiffany Elgood, 17, Bungendore NSW, HSE North Carolina USA Tour 2002/03
“Just a quick email to say I got the video and I loved it!!! And to say thank you for putting on such a fantastic tour to America! I had an absolute blast and I would definitely do it again.”