Day 6

I think I can say that today was one of the hardest days of the trip so far. The team had to select their teams for the tournament and with these choices came the bitter disappointment for those that didn't make the team. It was also a day when our team had to say goodbye to many of the children they have been working with which I know is a really difficult thing to do when they have made such an impact on their lives in such a short space of time. Again I've asked each group to write about their experiences from the day:

Group 1:

Morgan Burne - "Today it was our last day at Twitti and to be honest it was quite hard. I was in charge of choosing the grade 4 team and let's say I got a lot of stick for it. Children came up to me afterwards wanting to know why they didn't make the team whilst I was coaching the grade 5 team. Overall it was a good tiring day but worth it as I won a 'BarOne'(Zambian equivalent to a mars bar) for telling the children who didn't make the team. Yay! Now everyone is tired but ready for the tournament."

Will Tonkin - "Today Max and I had to coach the 'elite' team. It was easy because most knew what they were doing. Half way through Max was deciding which player should stay or go and had left me to coach the group on my own. It was tough but at the end I felt good. Later we went to Grand IQ - lots of the children there were very excited. They love to have their photos taken and meeting new people. It was great!"

Group 2:

Megan Hedges - "Today we went to Lilayi. We chose the groups for the tournament which was stressful but fun. It was emotional and the hardest day so far especially to see all the children happy and enjoying themselves. I then made my way to Grand IQ. I have to say it was the funniest day of the week - I met a little boy who sang 'who let the dogs out' which was the cutest and funniest thing ever!"

Mackenzie Wright - "Today group 2 & 3 travelled to Lilayi for our final day of teaching and playing with the Yanos and Lilayi students. It was the most emotional and by far the hardest day so far, as we had to choose from the many students who will play in the tournaments on Friday and Saturday. It was a tiring day of constant coaching and organising, but it all proved of worth by the end of the day (despite frustration through it). It was sad to say goodbye to some of the children but it was still a great day."

Group 3:

Ben Jeffries - "Being the art day of coaching, it's sad to know we won't see some of these great children and teachers again. The happiness tag rugby gives these children is fantastic and it has been nice to see them grow over the week. I've felt I've become a much better coach as well. However today was very difficult as we chose our final teams for the tournament. Having to tell children they are not picked proved to be hard as hey all give 100% every time. It's nice working with children so enthusiastic."

Charlotte Scarfe - "Today was the last day of coaching before the tournaments. As well as it being really difficult to pick the teams and deal with the children who weren't picked, it was also the last time we would see most of the children at the school and after working there all week that was emotional. I have been working at Lilayi in in the morning each day and going in a smaller group to different schools each afternoon. I has been so lovely to meet all the different people and so interesting to see the different areas."

Group 4:

Lauren Gwynn - Today was our last day with a lot of the children and not forgetting my birthday of course! It has been a very emotional day saying goodbye to the children. Some of them made me cards and gave me little gifts that I'll keep forever. I am loving my time here and my favourite thing is making the children happy. I can't wait to see my African friends tomorrow. It has definitely been a birthday to remember!"

Brad Welfare - "For a lot of the children, this was our last day with them. So for all of us, especially the girls, it was very emotional. Another thing that made today very hard for some of us was picking the teams for the tournament tomorrow. Children would be crying and begging to get in to the team. I personally found it extremely hard to say no to them. Particularly ones I have bonded with. I'm looking forward to the rest of my time here, especially the tournaments. Zambia is great and I don't want to go at all."

Group 5:

Daniel Duckham - "Today was the most tiring day at Musvambra. Many of the children had only a basic understanding of the game from the day before. We moved on to Grand IQ where we were greeted by quite a few screaming children! Once through the crowds, we began our goodbyes by watching the main team play and watching the children dance to music."

Lydia Myatt - "Today was an emotional day saying bye to the children we became close to. Even though we may have been upset to leave them, the smiles on their faces made everything better knowing we've made a small change to their lives.  Apart from saying bye to them, I've enjoyed teaching Guardian Angels a dance throughout the past few days which they will be performing on Saturday."