USA Hockey & Lacrosse Tour
USA Hockey & Lacrosse Tour
On Thursday 28th March, 32 students from LC3 and UC4 set off on what would become an unforgettable USA Hockey and Lacrosse Tour. Read on for all the highlights from our students.
Thursday 28th March
After flying from London Heathrow to Washington, D.C., many of us stepped onto American ground for the very first time. Our excitement was tested by a two-hour wait at border control, but, as always, we made the most of it by turning it into a guessing game to pass the time.
We were then warmly welcomed by our tour guide and driver, Gina, whose energy, kindness and constant encouragement stayed with us throughout the entire trip.
By the time we arrived at the hotel, we were all very tired, but also very excited for what was to come.
Friday 29th March
On Friday, we had an early start with a hockey coaching clinic at St James Academy. The session was intense and highly professional, focusing on advanced skill development, goalkeeper-specific training, and fast-paced small-sided games. It challenged us to think and play at a higher level, and we quickly realised how much we could learn from American coaching styles. We were also given a tour of the St James facility, which was huge—an incredible complex with indoor pitches, courts, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and even ice rinks.
Later that day, we watched a Division 1 women’s lacrosse match between George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University. Seeing the speed, physicality, and tactical awareness of top-level university players up close was both inspiring and eye-opening, giving us a new perspective on the game.
Saturday 30th March
Saturday brought another early start, this time for a lacrosse coaching clinic. Even the goalkeepers had highly specialised sessions, helping everyone to develop individually as well as part of a team.
Afterwards, our teachers surprised us with something very American—yellow school buses— and later took us to lunch at Chipotle. For many of us, this was our first time trying it, and it definitely lived up to expectations.
We then visited the famous cherry blossoms in Washington, as well as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, taking time to appreciate both the beauty and the history around us.
That evening, we played our first hockey matches against local teams. We played in two squads, cheering each other on from the sidelines with unbelievably good hot chocolate in our hands and celebrating every success together. After the matches, we shared dinner with the other players, took lots of photos, and enjoyed getting to know them.
Of course, no day would be complete without a little bit of chaos—we briefly thought someone had lost their phone, which resulted in everyone emptying their rucksacks—but thankfully, it was found the next day. We ended the day very tired, but very happy.
Sunday 31st April
On Sunday, we travelled to Delaware for a 7-a-side hockey tournament. This marked not only our final day of hockey, but also the last matches ever coached by Mr Padley, making it an emotional and memorable occasion.
We played in beautiful sunshine, supported each other throughout, and continued to build confidence in our play. We also enjoyed our first taste of Jersey Mike’s sandwiches—another American classic—which all of us really enjoyed. The A team was proud to bring home the first wins of the tour with a 2-1 win and a 4-0 win.
In the evening, we went to what we thought was an Italian restaurant, which turned out to be more Mediterranean—but either way, the food was delicious, and there was certainly plenty of it.
Monday 1st April
Monday gave us a chance to rest slightly before heading to the King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in America. Although we only had a short amount of time, we made the most of it, with many of us trying Chick-fil-A for the first time.
We then visited the Rocky Steps in Philadelphia, where we all ran up the stairs and embraced the moment, and Mr Padley was possibly the most enthusiastic of all while trying to be Rocky. We also explored the Philadelphia Museum of Art, taking in the exhibitions and atmosphere.
To end the day, we attended a Phillies baseball game against the Washington Nationals. Despite the Phillies losing, the experience was incredible, from the excitement of the crowd to the food to the sheer scale of everything, including the drinks. It was a true taste of American culture and one we will not forget.
Tuesday 2nd April
On Tuesday, we experienced our first trip to Walmart, where we were strongly encouraged by teachers to stock up on electrolytes due to the heat.
We then enjoyed a picnic together, playing American football and lacrosse and simply relaxing as a group. Later, we played two competitive lacrosse matches, with both teams taking to the field. The American 12-a-side format was new to many of us, but we adapted quickly and learned a great deal.
Our teachers made sure we stayed safe in the heat—with regular reminders to apply sunscreen and even ice on our necks at halftime. That evening, we watched a boys’ lacrosse match, continuing to learn from the different style of play.
Wednesday 3rd April
On Wednesday, we visited an outlet shopping centre before heading to another lacrosse fixture. This match was particularly special, as both the American and British national anthems were played beforehand, creating a memorable and respectful atmosphere.
It was also the final match ever coached by Mr Padley, making it even more meaningful for all of us. We greatly appreciated his efforts as a lacrosse coach and told the second team to play eggs and spoons instead of cradling. After the game, we shared food together and were each given personal letters from the American players, which was a very thoughtful and unforgettable gesture. We left not only having played matches, but having formed genuine friendships.
Thursday 4th April
On Thursday, we continued our important “research” by visiting Target, which, for many of us, clearly beat Walmart.
We were then warmly welcomed by Mrs Cornbrooks' dad, where we enjoyed lunch in a beautiful setting by the water. It was a chance to slow down, reflect, and spend time together.
Later, we tried Crumbl cookies, which were even sweeter than expected—and caused some debate about whether we were allowed to bring them home.
That evening, we enjoyed a delicious meal at a traditional American restaurant, rounding off another day full of laughter and shared memories.
Friday 5th April
On Friday, our final day, we visited the harbour in Maryland, where some of us bought bracelets and even “adopted” sea animals such as sharks and dolphins. We also visited the Maryland State House before heading to the airport.
Saying goodbye to Gina, our tour guide, was not easy—she had become such an important part of our journey. We also said goodbye to friends we had made along the way.
After our overnight flight, we arrived back at Heathrow on Saturday, where we said our final goodbyes to Mr Padley and to each other.
This tour was about far more than just sport. It allowed us to grow as players, experience a different culture, and form stronger friendships across both year groups.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunities we were given, the people we met, and the memories we made—memories that will stay with us for a long time.
We would like to thank the teachers who came with us: Mr Padley, Miss Clarke, Miss Humfress and most importantly Ms Cornbrooks for organising everything. We had an amazing time and will cherish our memories forever.
Tours like this offer so much more than just sport; they help us develop new skills and experience a completely different style of play that pushes us outside our comfort zones. They also gave us the chance to meet new people and build friendships, both within our group and with players from other countries.
Experiencing a new culture firsthand with our friends made the trip even more memorable and broadened our understanding of the world beyond school. Most importantly, it brought us closer together as a team and created memories that we know will stay with us for a long time.
LC3 and UC4 Students