From a few 2008 participants

Te Mahurehere (NZ)
Kia Ora Barry,
Just wanted to say thank you to World Sport and all those responsible for running the Carnival. We had a wonderful time and the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
We look forward to sending many teams across in the future as we believe it is a wonderful opportunity for them to experience international netball and have fun while playing a game they all love. Hopefully, we can send a senior team so we can partake in the senior dinner as I hear it's an absolute "blast".
Well, thank you again Barry. Look forward to seeing you again soon.
....... Adrienne Foley  (Team Manager)

St Josephs College (QLD)
Barry, on behalf of our U16 / 15 & 14 teams I would like to thanks you and your staff for the Gold Coast Rugby Carnival.
Terrace Rugby focuses on Participation and Enjoyment and as I keep saying to the boys and coaches "there's no time like game time". All boys walked away with plenty of game time, a smile on their faces and better of for the experience. Many thanks ....... Tyron Mandrusiak (Director of Rugby)

Wanganui High School (NZ)
Barry, just want to congratulate you on a great carnival.   We enjoyed every moment of it although would have liked a bit more sun.  Actually the conditions were conducive to good netball, not too hot for us poor kiwi's. Again thanks to you and your support team.

....... Vanda Buttars  (Coach / Manager)

A few 2007 participants

Gold Coast Cyclones (QLD)
Firstly may I thank you on behalf of the players and management for a great carnival. The standard of rugby was an eye opener and just what junior club rugby on the Gold Coast needs. We hope to be back in 2008 as U16. ......... David Holmes (Coach / Manager)

Aquinas College (NZ)

Hi Tracey and Barry, thanks very much to World Sport for a great week in both the netball and rugby competitions. All our boys had a wonderful time and everything went well. Belle looked after us really well on the rugby days and we enjoyed her company. The accommodation was great at the Arc especially as by the pool they have a communal kitchen, sitting area which suited our needs very well, and the units nice a spacious also....... Kay Butler (Manager)

Mt Roskill Grammar (NZ)

Talofa lava Barry….A huge thankyou to you,Tracey and all your staff for all the hardwork,effort and care taken with our arrangements.We must be the hardest team to get organized.Late with everything!!! It is no small thing you have done for the majority of our boys.  So many of them have never left the country let alone been to the South Island.The fact that they open their eyes to a different country and lifestyle is an education in itself.  It is trip they will cherish and recall with fond memories the rest of their lives.  Once again thankyou from all of us Barry.

We had a function at home with the boys a week ago.  We laughed and sang into the night….the Spirit of the Gold Coast was all around us.  Thankyou for giving the boys this opportunit.   Without your assistance keeping our costs down we wouldn’t have made it!! Much alofa to you and your family and business colleagues. Barry. ....... Nick,Wendy and family and a very grateful Mt Roskill 1st XV.

Carnival Referee

Hi Barry, I trust you have recovered from another frantic week. Once again an excellent event, well done. For me it's the highlight of the season. Catching up with the Kiwi and New South Wales is terrific and the nonsense we get up to - both on and off the field - is the very reason I love refereeing. Thanks for the opportunity. ......  Simon Scoble (Carnival Referee)

NSW Country U17 (NSW)
Simply cannot fault this Carnival. The rugby in our division was top quality and served as a wonderful preparation to our annual city/country match (which we happenned to win!).    Everything was great and we just loved our liaision person, Willem Boshoff (Bossie from South Africa)

......... Kerry Cassals(Manager)

The Hale School (WA)
We were grateful for the opportunity to "piggyback" into the Carnival as an under 14 side.  We are happy to make the annual trip as an U14 team and therefore hoping you might receive interest from othet U14 teams.  For boys who live in a "West Coast Eagle" world, your carnival provided them with a wonderful prospective......... Kerry Cassals(Manager)

Kinross Wolaroi (NSW)
We still talk at length about our good times up at the GC, especially our ’03 campaign in Brisbane 10s and GCRC. We had the best time and it will take a very handsome dose of Alzheimer’s to even begin to forget any part of the rugby and good times!!
Thank you again for all your incredible efforts and affording us the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful experience not only for our players but my family as well.  All the best, good health and warmest regard to your crew and your goodself..... Michael McKerchar (Director of Sport)

From some of the 2006 participants

Campion College (NZ)
Well run Carnival and well organised. That is the third Carnival we have been to. My boy Nick Butler was captain of our side this year and was fortunate to attend both the 2002 and 2004 Carnivals. They have been a great experience for both him and myself. Well done on organising this event. It has provided a great opportunity for our boys to play top sides. Please pass on my thanks to Tracey and Louisa who both made a very big effort to make sure things happen......Pat Butler (Coach / Manager)

Far North Coast (NSW)
I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing my team(FNC U/16's) to participate in the Canterbury Gold Coast Rugby Carnival. The boys all had a great time,and it was an experience they will all treasure. Also,congratulations to you and your staff for organising such a well run event. It is a credit to you.
At our next zone meeting I will be suggesting that FNC field 3 teams(U/15's,U/16's&U/17's) in next year's Carnival ..... Greg Den Elzen  (Coach / Manager)

Hauraki Plains High School (NZ)

Well organised and a pleasure to be part of. Regards, Daz   ........... Daz Young (Coach)

St Ignatius College (NSW)

The whole team from coaches, managers and players have enjoyed a first class tournament. See you in 2007! ....... Phil Amata (Manager)

Aranmore College (WA)

We have all very much enjoyed the Carnival and appreciate all the assistance given.
...............Cameron Eglington (Coach)

St Augustines College (QLD)

We’ve had an excellent week. Saints thanks Barry and his incredible staff for a great experience.
... Toby McCarthy (Coach / Manager)

Hamilton Boys High School (NZ)

Everything we have done and been involved in has been fantastic! .......... Barbara Clark (Manager)

St Pauls Collegiate (NZ)

Dear Barry and "team"
Thank you once again for organising and running a quite outstanding rugby tournament. It is obviously easier to enjoy a tour if ones team plays well and is successful, but it was quite obvious that all teams that were involved gained a huge amount of experience played attractive rugby and enjoyed the informal and formal aspects of the festival. Full marks for the venue - The Southport School is certainly an outstanding venue!
.........Edgar John (Coach / Manager)

Lyndfield College (NZ)

It was a bit of a reality check for all of us to resume school yesterday but the boys are still on cloud nine with much laughter & stories to tell. Would you be kind enough to forward a letter to our Principal as per your kind words at our presentation to you & Tracey. I know it is very forward of me but it is very hard to convey things to the powers that be unless it is put in writing. My other motivation is that I would like the Principal & Board of Trustees to support our application to turn this in to a regular 2 year trip
Thankyou again to you both & to all the team for making our trip a wonderful & memorable event.
Russell Su’a ............. (Coach / Manager)

Trinity Lutheran College (QLD)
We thoroughly enjoyed The Canterbury Cup on the Gold Coast. Thank you for organising such an exciting carnival. Thanks   ........Leslie Hipgrave (Coach)

From 2005 participants

West Australia Rugby Union U15 (NSW)

We would just like to say what a pleasure it was to attend such a wonderful sporting carnival. The spirit and standard of rugby was brilliant, and if we could see the sportsmanship all the teams and boys displayed in the future in rugby what a wonderful thing that would be. They all deserve the highest praise for the way they conducted themselves.....Janice Rogers (Parent)

Sunshine Coast U17’s (QLD)

"The Sunshine Coast 17's have thoroughly enjoyed the carnival and good luck to those in the 2nd week. It has been one of the best run events we have come across and truly is about the spirit of Rugby. Congrats to Barry & his team & playing Sedberg was awesome. Thanks again" .... David Maclean (Coach)

Sedbergh College (ENG)

"Thanks for the comments regarding Sedbergh. I watched the game against the Sunshine Coast and your lads never gave up even when being well beaten. Just arrived back in England after a very enjoyable week. Sedbergh now in NZ. Thanks to Barry great tournament" ........... Oatley Junior Rugby Club (NSW)

Thanks again for arranging alternative games for us after we "set the cat among the pigeons". Our boys were on such a high all the way home yesterday. They were so impressed with their Irish game that 10 players managed to trade footy jerseys with the Glenstal Abbey boys. That experience will last a long time. Hope the injured players recover well and continue their rugby... Kerry

"Thanks for a great Carnival. The players and management team had a wonderful time on the Gold Coast. We will certaintly look forward to attending the Carnival in future years.
Special thanks to Tracey for all the hard work she has done on our behalf." ..... Ta, John MacDonald

Western Heights High School (NZ)

"Have just returned back to work today. Thank you for an awesome tournament (despite the torrential flooding on the Gold Coast and glad that everything turned out okay in the end) a thorougly enjoyable experience for our young men which was enjoyed by all those who attended the carnival. The grapevine is, we will be back.
No reira Barry, mihi nunui ki a koe me tou komiti. Ma te atua hei manaaki ki a koe me tou whanau.
(Translation - On that note Barry, sincere congratulations to you and your committee. May God watch over you and your family)." ........ Uru Clark (Manager)

Lakeside Christian College (Tweed Heads, NSW)

"Barry, both the players and I had a great time and if you'll have us back we will come next year. All members of your team bent over backwards to help and advise and I know how hard you worked to juggle the teams because of the unexpected size and strength of the Oatley team from Sydney. Cheers."
....... Matthew Evans (Coach)

William Ross State High School (QLD)

"On behalf of William Ross State High School I would like to thank you for efforts in organising the 2005 Gold Coast Netball Carnival. We had a fantastic time and the girls are already talking about next year. Please pass our thanks onto Louisa and the whole team."
......Selena BRIGHT (Head of Department SPORT)

St Andrews College (Christchurch NZ)

"On behalf of the St Andrew's College team, management and supporters, thank you very much for the marvelous carnival. It was well worth attending so an efficiently run tournament. You must be extremely proud of the way your team all pulled together to make such a splendid spectacle. Once again, many thanks."
..... John Anderson (1st XV ManagerMahurangi College (NZ)

"Thanks for the Gold Coast Carnival. It was our first experince and despite the problems with the size of some of the teams we enjoyed the week immensely. It was very well organised and we appreciated the fact that you went out of your way to provide appropriate opposition for our teams."
..... Ben Hall (Coach / Manager)

"Thanks Barry we had a fantastic time and the students of course are ready to go on another tour. Any information you have on tours for netball for next year that you organise are you able to forward to me as we are looking at taking another tour. Once again thanks to all your staff and you for a wonderful experience."
..... Lisa Brown (Coach / Manager)

Darling Downs JRU (QLD)

"Overall an excellent Carnival, thoroughly enjoyed by both players and management. We’ll be back!" ..... Tony Wedlock (Coach)

Glenstal Abbey (Ireland)

"We have now been Ozz and the Gold Coast Carnival 5 times and it keeps getting better. The lads once gain had a fabulous time and have returned home with wonderful stories of Aussie hospitality, the Carnival, the dinner and the whole thing. Well done Barry and please pass on our sincere thanks to Tracey and Louisa for all their help." ..... Br Denis Hooper (Coach / Manager / Headmaster)

Sydney Boys High School (NSW)

"What a blast! The Carnival was amazing. I certainly will waste no time in applying for the 2006 Carnival and I know that the younger members of the Sydney High 15's Squad (who went with us but are in our 14's this year) are definite - they want to go back and they will start fund raising this year real soon now. Their mates who missed out this year know just how good the carnival is and will be definites as well.

Thanks to you and all of the crew for making the Carnival such good value for the boys.
The organisation was very smooth and made it all so easy for the coaches to enjoy themselves. I will fill in the survey form for you soon and will get it back to you. I will also be sending you an application form for next year as soon as I can have a meeting with the boys to confirm their interest.

Thanks again for your amazing patience, your cheerful outlook, and your professionalism. It made my job so easy.

Please, a final thanks to Barry who is pretty special when it comes to rugby ideals and is at the centre of the joyous spirit of this great event." ..... Tony Hannan (Coach / Manager)

Kinross Wolaroi (Orange, NSW)

"We are all back to earth now after our awesome week at the GCRC - the talk from the boys and the 11 sets of parents who followed us has been brilliant. Thanks again for all that you and the crew did for us over the past 6 months - it was a truly unforgettable week!!" .... Paul Tierney and Greg Aitken (Coaching staff )

Western Australian JRU

"Just a quick note to thank you for making possible the wonderful week all of our boys just had on the Gold Coast. The carnival, as always, was superbly organised and our facilities and accommodation were first class. I know the boys will treasure the memories of this week for the rest of their lives. From the rugby point of view your carnival is perfect for the needs of our Under 15 Development Squad and the many attractions of the Gold Coast allow them to enjoy themselves off the field. I speak on behalf of all the players, our two coaches and our physio when I say 'Barry, well done and thank you!'"....... Martin Cowley (Manager)

Hamilton Boys' HS NZ

"I just want to thank you for a wonderful Festival. We did enjoy ourselves very much. Great organisation, everything happened when it was supposed to etc. Thank you. I organise a lot of the tournaments here in the Waikato and it was just great to sit back and let things happen! I did enjoy meeting you all too. When you have next year's application forms ready, can you email me them please? Thanks. We want to come back. I am back here in Hamilton, no sun, grey skies, fog, damp...... shall I go on? Can't wait for next year!!!!!!" ...... Barbara Clark (Tour Manager)

Manurewa College (NZ)

"A huge thanks to all the organisers, referees, volunteers, sponsors and supporters for a fantastic 2004 carnival. Most of all thanks to all players for their undying efforts and sportsmanship. The Manurewa Boys will cherish their memories of this carnival and the new friends they made. Special mention to Barry Honan for his support and Theresa for her work behind the scense to get us there. Special thanks to Mr Tom Vanderlaan, Mr Don Roa and Mrs Sue Myocevich for their great managerial skills.
We wish everyone well for their future in rugby and we hope we were able to share our passion and skills with those who played against us or watched us. We take the time to acknowledge all our opponents with a special note to the South Coast Schools who we played in the final - great game guys! and WA U/15's who showed immense courage and skill and pushed our team all the way. Kia kaha!" .......... Andrew T

Want to experience a REAL haka up close and personal? These boys would make the All Blacks think twice about taking them on....