“It was just made so easy” - Woodlands School chat about our Disneyland Paris Netball Festival

Even as a school, we have to go through different stages of putting proposals in for trips and if there's not enough information it gets knocked back - but this was very much smooth sailing. I think a lot of schools use Evolve as well for risk assessments, and that's usually something that bounces back when they need more information. But the itinerary and just everything is so detailed, so it was just smooth from beginning to end.

The app was fantastic! It’s the first tour we've ever been on where they use an app, so that was a highlight. I think having everything together, the itinerary, the packing list, even the tournament details, was brilliant.

We loved having it all in one place and something that each staff member could use. The tournament link was a bonus, especially having been across two sites, it was great to keep track of our other teams in their tournament. To have that on the app was absolutely amazing.

I think having it so that every single group leader can access it made it so much better. It's the first tour I've had that used anything like this. It was the best thing about the trip in terms of how easy that made it for us, and I think that's very unique to your tour company.

I'm a fan of Elite Netball. They were brilliant at looking at the different abilities between the teams and clubs. I was watching a coaching session, and they made it clear that was an opportunity for teachers to go outside and enjoy a bit of free time. However, I stayed and watched the coaching sessions and I thought they had an absolutely brilliant way of adapting and differentiating it to challenge each group.

In regards to the tournament itself, this was also faultless! The organisation of the games, the coaching and umpiring from Elite Netball Academy and the all-round feel and atmosphere of the day was incredible and both staff and students had a fantastic day.  There was a mix of ability amongst the schools/clubs, and this was clearly organised in a way to best suit everyone which must have been a big task in itself.

The level of coaching in the session I thought was incredible and how Elite Netball adapted for our girls to challenge them was fantastic. Also to keep them working for over 2 hours and still enjoy every minute was a success. The academy coaches were so friendly to us as staff and our students, it really did them give a world of confidence and enjoyment. 

I think the whole attitude and the way they spoke to the teachers from the beginning, to say that it's about enjoying the netball but also watch your conduct, be mindful, I thought that was really nice.

They loved it! My lot can chat for hours, so they asked lots of questions, that's for sure! They built a really good relationship when they did their Q&A's, they had some fun photos with them afterward, and even had them there at the presentation.

It's just that added extra, having Elite Netball there to support their Disney tour, it was just such a nice experience for them. Even some of our girls that aren't as competitive, it still inspired them and they had fun. Whereas you've got some of our other girls that are in academies, and they got even more out of it, so I think it benefited everyone in different ways.

Absolutely, they love Disneyland Paris! They had a great time and time in the parks went down really well. I've been on another tour before, where the time in the parks was just half a day and netball the other half of the day. But this worked much better and the fact that they were staying at the hotel meant they could stay and watch the fireworks and make the most of their day at Disney. They loved all the netball, but they were also so excited to be at Disneyland Paris and do all the fun stuff too!

Yes definitely. I think that was made clear from the opening moments. Before the tournament they made it very clear that it is about enjoyment as well as competition. We were put in a good cup and there was a mix of abilities. The umpires at the end always made sure that the teams would shake hands, or even do three cheers.

The whole idea around good sportsmanship was there, so I think regardless, it was very much about keeping it enjoyable whatever the outcome. Even in the semi-finals and finals, you definitely got the more competitive nature.

They definitely developed with the level of competition throughout the different stages, but regardless of how competitive they got, they always kept the enjoyment side of it as their first priority.

Yes, definitely! We obviously speak to a lot of other teachers, and they see a lot of our photos and if we go to Paris again, I always say it's a tour I'd do again without a doubt! If anyone is looking to go to Paris, I'll definitely recommend you as well. 

It was a great trip and incredibly easy! We actually had a girl that wasn't well throughout our trip and it was great to have support from your staff members, always asking and checking up on how she was. It was nice to know that we're not just another school on your trip, you've actually remembered that she was quite poorly, and that they were asking how she was.

I would highly recommend study experiences to other schools and even though I definitely need a year without it (taking care of 29 kids is certainly not easy), you will certainly hear from me for another!