South American Football Trip
After two years of planning and numerous fundraising efforts we gathered at Auckland International airport for our flights to Santiago and then onto our connection in Buenos Aires after a 2 hour stopover.
Buenos Aires
As we landed in Buenos Aires we were all very excited to be there and were ready to experience what it's like on the other side of the world. After the first night we had our first day of sightseeing in the main part of Buenos Aires seeing the town square before heading to the south part of the state, La Boca, which is home of Boca Juniors football club. We then spent the afternoon looking around that part finding it very cool with it thriving with the culture of street football and their passion for football even though they don’t have a whole lot of money. We thought that La Boca was a really cool experience for people who enjoy football because nearly the whole city was just about football. We then played a game the next day against St Michael's which was a competitive game ending 2-1 to us, (Bono Kacurov 2) afterwards we hung around with the team and then split off into our billets for 2 nights. Billeting with them was an amazing experience in which we got to learn a lot about their life in Argentina and differences and similarities to our lives in New Zealand. All of the hosts were very welcoming and excited to have us. They were one of our favourite parts of the trip because of how much we got to learn about the country and to see what they do in their day to day life whether it's at school or outside of school. One thing about Buenos Aires that was surprising was their love for rugby and that in most private schools it was compulsory for boys to play rugby and girls to play hockey for the majority of their years at school. This was a shock because we all assumed that football would be massive and the main sport by a long way. We then got to train at professional facilities with a professional coach at Defensa Y Justicia, which was such a cool experience training with a professional coach and to see all the facilities they have for the first team and what they would do each day in their lives. We played a second game in Buenos Aires against Montessori College winning 8-3 then heading back to their school to hangout and talk with more people. Goals to Nathanael Bain 3, Bono 2, Noah Mitchell 2 and Jake Petley. |
|  Montessori College
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After that we did a stadium tour at River Plate which is one of the biggest clubs in Argentina alongside Boca.
The tour was amazing seeing the whole stadium inside out and getting to learn all about the club's history. Next we had the opportunity to do another training session with a professional coach from Argentinos Juniors, which is another club in the first division of Argentina football. The coach there was very interesting to listen to how he gets his teams to play and how different the coaching is to New Zealand.
Overall Buenos Aires was such a wonderful experience on the trip because of its liveliness being the capital of Argentina and the people we met while billeting or training with. There was so much to do in the city and it is definitely a must if you are going to South America to experience what Argentina has to offer. We definitely enjoyed Buenos Aires because of the diversity as well between the rich and poor parts and how different they are to each other while still being so close to each other.
Among sampling a full scale South American barbecue we all took the plunge and tried yerba mate. Effectively a herbal tea that is a massive part of the Argentine culture and one where they all share the same straw. Next stop was back to the airport in Buenos Aires. From there we travelled via plane up to Iguazu on the Argentine side and then travelled via bus including customs to the Brazilian side of the falls.
The Iguazu Falls, Brazil
 | During our South America Football tour, we stopped off in Brazil. I had the unforgettable opportunity to visit the Iguazu Falls—one of the world’s largest and most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Nestled in the lush rainforest on the border between Brazil and Argentina, the falls stretch across nearly 3 kilometers and feature more than 270 individual waterfalls. The experience was nothing short of magical. From the moment I arrived, the thunderous sound of water crashing down into the Iguazu River echoed through the forest. As I walked along the winding pathways and viewing platforms, I was met with sweeping views of endless cascades surrounded by thick, green jungle. One of the most unforgettable moments was standing on a platform near the heart of the falls, completely enveloped in mist, with a rainbow arcing through the spray. But it wasn’t just the falls that impressed me. The surrounding rainforest was alive with movement—bright butterflies floated by, colorful birds called from the trees, and curious coatis roamed the pathways. It was a true immersion in nature. Every viewpoint offered something new: one moment we were looking down into a thunderous gorge, the next we were above it all, watching the river pour over the edge into the misty abyss. |
Mendoza
Our time in Mendoza, Argentina, was nothing short of unforgettable. On our first night, we immersed ourselves in the city's vibrant culture by exploring the busy markets around the central square. Local craftsmen and women displayed an incredible variety of handmade goods, including delicate jewellery, colourful artworks, detailed and precise portraits, traditional knives carved with ethnic patterns, and beautifully sewn clothing showcasing regional fabrics and styles. As we wandered through the market stalls, the sounds of traditional Argentine music filled the air. A group of dancers in traditional dress took to the square, performing folkloric routines that drew a crowd of both locals and tourists.
The following day brought a different kind of excitement as we visited Mendoza’s iconic stadium. From the moment we stepped inside, we were guided by an incredibly enthusiastic tour guide who lightened up our moods instantly and expressed her pride for Argentina's football history. The highlight of the tour was getting to hold a replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy, a surreal experience, especially knowing we stood in a place that had witnessed so much football history. We entered the official changing rooms and, to everyone’s delight, got to sit in the seat assigned to none other than Lionel Messi and before, Diego Maradona. Walking through the players tunnel and emerging onto the pitch was nothing short of inspiring. Just thinking of what talents had stepped foot on the same exact field left us absolutely speechless.
Later that day, we bussed across town to Colegio Los Olivos for a friendly match. The school, home to around 800 boys ranging from primary to secondary levels, welcomed us with open arms. The younger students, in particular, were bursting with excitement, eagerly asking for autographs, photos, and even requesting that we perform the haka. The match itself was the most entertaining of our trip, ending in a thrilling 4-2 win for Los Olivos. The game was packed with action, relentless forward drives, dramatic tackles, and cheers from the sidelines. After the final whistle, both teams exchanged gifts in a good gesture of sportsmanship, and their sporting department extended a challenge for a rematch, hinting at the beginning o a possible lasting tradition between our schools.
Our Mendoza adventure concluded with a thrilling day of outdoor fun at Argentina Rafting Expediciones. We took on the rapids of the Mendoza River, hearts racing with every twist and surge of the water. The adrenaline didn’t stop there, we rose above the landscape on a series of zip lines strung through the mountains, the wind whipping past as we took in breathtaking views of the Andes. It was a perfect way to to cap off our stay in Mendoza.
 Mendoza
|  Mendoza
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Santiago
After a wonderful time in Argentina we set off from Mendoza in a lovely 7 hour drive over the Andes to our final destination Santiago, Chile. The drive through the Andes was unbelievable, the views of the mountains were surreal.
On the first day/night in Santiago we stayed with our second billet from Craighouse school. The school and the area we were staying at was on the outskirts of the city up on the side of the mountain range. The area was very beautiful with lovely architecture. The next day after meeting at the school we went on the bus to the city centre. Here we looked at the presidential palace and other governmental buildings, these buildings were designed after Italian architecture which gave the buildings a lovely aesthetic vibe. After walking around the city we went back to the school for our fourth and final game of the tour. The boys really looked forward to the game and showed this on the field as they came out on top 2-0 in a great display of football. Both goals to Cody Govender.
For the last night with our billets we all went to one of their houses for a little party. The next morning after saying goodbye to our billets we took around a two hour bus ride to the west coast of Chile to Valparaiso.. Here we enjoyed a scenic walk through the rich cultural areas of the city. We had lunch on the beach at Vina del Mar before departing back to the city of Santiago for our final night on this wonderful trip.
On the streets of Valparaiso.
With it being our last day we were treated to a lovely sleep in until around 9:30, the final day consisted of looking our two different malls so the boys could spend their final amounts of money on whatever they pleased. After this fruitful shopping adventure we left to the airport and said goodbye to the lovely country and the whole continent for the lovely experience we all had together.
Back in the changing room after their win
