Eastern Rhinos take on Club Weekend in Lake District
The Eastern Rhinos are a Rugby League team based in Colchester with teams from juniors up to seniors.
The boys set off on their trip on a Friday for a weekend full of fun, exercise and building cohesion between the team. After a late arrival on Friday everyone spent a little bit of time relaxing down and getting settled in before getting some rest to prepare for the busy weekend ahead!
Saturday morning started early with a delicious breakfast at High Row, before the team headed off to the Whitehaven Rugby League ground. Whitehaven are a championship team and were very hospitable and allowed the Eastern Rhinos to train on the first team pitch in the main stadium (Recreation Ground), something the boys absolutely loved. Their awe-inspiring setting encouraged them to have a great training session that will not be forgotten any time soon.
We returned to the centre (which during the daylight we could see was set in the most beautiful setting surrounded by mountains in the Lake District) for sandwiches before setting off outside to get involved in some rock climbing and abseiling – anyone who said they were not a bit scared must have been fibbing! The boys worked really well together to give each other the encouragement and support needed to get the job done and to conquer the fear! A fantastic activity that in the fresh Lake District air helped build up an appetite for the feast that awaited us on our return to the centre!
Later in the evening on Saturday everyone gathered in the living room to play games and to partake in Elliott’s ‘Pub Quiz’ which was pretty tough in places, but the team were not concerned as they scored extremely well – especially in the sports sections!
Another early start on Sunday lead to a mountain bike ride through the woods in the lake district which turned out to be quite testing – a few punctures later and the boys made it back with a smile on their faces. After lunch some more outdoor activities bought the boys to the top of a mountain after an incredibly challenging 2 hour walk that pushed everyone’s fitness and stamina but proved to be such a rewarding challenge, and something that many of the boys were extremely proud to have achieved. Again, an experience they would never forget – the views from the top of the surrounding mountains and countryside was breathtaking even for a teenagers!
Unfortunately Sunday was our last day and we had to make the homeward bound journey – one that was made in silence as everybody slept the whole way!
Elliott Levy
