Tue 29/08/2006

Hey Girls!

Just a really quick one as Im really busy, but I thought you might be interested to know that I got scouted by the Canadian National team scouts at the Provincial tournament! My coach told me they had me on some kind of list. Not really sure what happens now (if anything as I am obviously English!), and Manitoba have never had people shortlisted/whatever before this year (3 of us this yr). Either way Im pretty flattered....

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Mon 14/08/2006

Hey Everyone!

Hope youre all enjoying pre-season training at the moment and looking forward to a great season! Well, Im in the middle of the season here (and the assassins have been doing pretty well) and next week I will be playing No.8 for the Lady Buffalo (Manitobas provincial senior womens team) in the National Championships. If you are interested in how we are doing, have a look at this website:

http://www.rugbycanada.ca/nationalchampionships/

And please keep your fingers crossed for us!

xxRachel

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Tue 25/07/2006

Hi Girls!

Hows things? I have been so slack keeping in touch with everyone that Ive just written an update for the website........didnt have time to sort out pics yet though, Ill send some when I manage to get round to it.

Things are pretty good here at the moment. Apart from whats in the update Im enjoying the rugby - been pack leader most of the season and 8 of course. The other teams seem to like to target me though and Im getting pretty beaten up (added to the fact I have no skin left on knees or elbows as the ground is so hard!), Ive just made an appointment to get my teeth seen as I got hit so hard (someones head I think) last week that my teeth went wobbly and my lip blew up and bruised (thank goodness I had my mouthguard in or I would have lost teeth!), and they still arent right. Im not complaining though, we are winning and Im still scoring (61-0 last week and I got the first 2 tries). I also got accosted at starbucks last night by a girl who has seen me play a few times, and was apparently in awe of my game - very flattering!

Rugby is kind of taking over at the moment (as usual I suppose really) and everything else seems to fit round but thats the way I like it anyway.

OK, Ive rambled enough and I have to go dragon boating.

xxRachel

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Hi Girls!

So I thought Id send you all an update on how Im doing in Canada – although don’t expect it to be as exciting as Fayes update. On the plus side we do have good showers here but it is also considerably colder!

Ive been here over a month now and Im really loving it, I definitely made the right move, (although I do miss everyone heaps). Im living in a beautiful house with two great housemates (Alisa and Paula) who have made me feel really welcome. Im still waiting for all the boxes I shipped from the UK to arrive so unfortunately Ive had to go shopping for new clothes several times! Work is good too, and everyone is really friendly and helpful so I think Ive settled in pretty well.

The first weekend I was here I went to see my first hockey game which was good fun – loads of fights though and no one broke them up, they all just stood around watching until they finished! Anyway, I was inspired (by the hockey not the fighting!) to learn to skate and with a view to playing hockey. So I went out and bought some skates but I still havnt got round to actually going skating and now the ice is melting so I guess Ill have to wait until next Winter. The weather is really warming up here now (by which I mean its above zero), there is still loads of snow around but there are puddles of lovely brown slush everywhere too – looking forward to when all the snow is gone. It tends to be really nice and sunny nearly all of the time, I was going to say all the time but today its overcast and drizzling which is making me feel right at home!

I know you all want to hear about the rugby here too, but really its out of season at the moment so theres not that much I can tell you. I went to a day long provincial training session a few weeks ago (the Nationals are being held in Winnipeg in August) which consisted of a series of fitness tests in the morning (running, press-ups, sit-ups, jumping height and triple jump) and mainly handling drills in the afternoon (It was in a sports hall because the snow means we cant really train outside at the moment).

Last Sunday I went to snow rugby – ok, so just imagine touch on the downs in the summer but in knee deep snow – which was great fun. Most of the guys turned up drunk too which was hilarious – pictures to follow soon!

So, for those of you who don’t know, Im now playing for the Assassins, and Jo will be putting a link to their site on the SMOBL website soon if you want to have a look. The girls are great fun and have been showing me the bars of Winnipeg – some dodgier than others! While we are on the socializing, Ive booked flights to come back to Bristol between June 6th and 12th so I think a night out (maybe with a visit to the Lizard Lounge…) on Sat 10th is in order – put the date in your diaries!

Well, that’s it for now I think – take care, I miss you all. xxRachel

PS. Have fun on tour and good luck at the 7s – maybe we can win some matches this year as well as all the drinking games!

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