August 2025 saw nearly 90 Loretto pupils and staff members travel to Canada for what can only be described as an epic and jam-packed rugby and hockey tour!

Arriving into Toronto, the group initially had some leisure time to explore downtown and get their bearings. The next two days saw pupils enjoy Canada’s Wonderland amusement park, head to the top of the world-famous CN Tower and tour Old Toronto.

Much fun was had, but attention soon turned to the business of hockey. Three Loretto teams took on counterparts from G.O.A. Red Field Hockey Club under glorious blue skies, before everyone enjoyed a post-match social at the club.

Rugby then took center stage as the group travelled to Paul Gilbert Memorial Field for U16 and U18 fixtures against Mississauga Blues, coming away with two positive results.

Service was an important aspect of this trip, and it was wonderful to watch pupils volunteering with Kids Up Front Foundation. This Toronto based charity provides experiences to deserving children, believing that all kids should have access to enriching experiences like arts, culture and sporting events. During their time at the camp, Loretto pupils led sport coaching sessions and organised some fun warm up and cool down games.

Some more down time saw the group explore Toronto’s Centre Island, where delicious BBQ food set them up for afternoon rugby fixtures against Balmy Beach and hockey fixtures against Clarkson School.

The next day was spent on the water, with jetboating at Niagara on the Lake and a boat tour of Niagara Falls.

Further fixtures followed with the hockey group taking on Nepean Nighthawks and the rugby group taking on Bytown Blues.

A day at OWL Resort gave pupils the opportunity to try white water rafting, with a video replay of the day providing amusing post-activity entertainment! Time was also spent in Ottawa watching the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Parliament Hill, on an amphibious bus tour and at Calypso Waterpark.

This all happened around the final fixtures of the tour, which saw the U16 and U18 rugby teams take on the Ottawa Ospreys, and the hockey teams play Outaouais Field Hockey Club.

Pupils represented the school incredibly well at all stages of the trip and it was wonderful to see them socialising so warmly and effortlessly with the many friends they made along the way. This was a once in a lifetime trip for both the pupils and staff who attended, with so many amazing memories made that will stay with us all for a very long time to come.

Loretto School Sports Department