The Drew University Field Hockey team is spending seven days in the Cayman Islands! Read about how they are spending their time!
Day 1- Monday, August 5th
The team was up for an early flight out of JFK with a 12:15 arrival in the Cayman Islands. After making it through customs the team was on their way to the hotel!
Head Coach Felicia Cappabianca scheduled a late afternoon workout on the beach, a Drew field hockey tradition.
After the workout the team went to dinner at Coconut Joe's right across the street from the hotel.
After a long travel day it was an early night for the Rangers as they needed to rest up before a 8:00 a.m. practice Tuesday morning.
Day 2- Tuesday, August 6th
The team practiced for two hours in the hot and humid Cayman sun. Practice took place at the Cayman International School about 10 minutes from the hotel.
At night the Rangers were back on the field to play a game against members of the Cayman Islands Field Hockey Federation. The two teams played three, 15-minute periods and a 7-on-7 overtime period. The Cayman Island team scored four times while the Rangers scored their only goal in the overtime period.
Wednesday's plans include an early morning practice and snorkeling in the ocean in the afternoon!
Day 3 - Wednesday, August 7th
Temperatures were up near 100 on Wednesday in the Cayman. The girls went through a beach workout in the morning before practice and made their way over to the Cayman International school for practice.
In the afternoon, a scheduled snorkel excursion was planned. The team boarded a boat and cruised to some of the reefs on Cemetary Point and then over to the shipwreck of Kittiwake. The waters were amazing and you were able to see all different types of wildlife around the reefs and ocean floor.
Dinner was low key, as everyone ate at the restaurant attached to the hotel called Stingers. Afterwards the team went off to a local hot spot for music and dancing before returning to the hotel.
Day 4 - August 8th
The Rangers began the day with a morning practice session over at the Cayman International School. In the middle of the day the team traveled down the beach and received a stand up paddle board lesson.
Day 5 - August 9th
It's always nice to wake up to good news! The local paper did an article on Tuesday's game against the Cayman Hockey Federation.
Article Link
Today the Rangers had the unique opportunity to have guest coach, Nigel Traverso at practice. He brought a wealth of field hockey knowledge, running the team through a variety of game action drills.
Practice Photo Gallery
The late afternoon included a volleyball tournament on the beach. Two awards were given out at the end of the session, a most valuable player and a most entertaining player. The MVP went to
Danielle Waleko while the MEP went to
Bea Cannavale.
The Cayman Islands are known for beautiful sunsets. The team was able to enjoy the sunset on the beach while having dinner.
Day 6 - August 10th
After practice the team was able to take a bus ride around the island to see some of the unique places the Caymans have to offer.
The first stop was the blowholes, a formation of rocks that when waves come in water shoots up in the air like a whale's blowhole. The area was formed by volcanic rock millions of years ago.
The next stop was the wreck of ten sail. In 1794, 10 ships sank off the shore of the Cayman. The people of the Island were able to go out and save people from drowning but many lives were lost. You can still see the top of one of the boats along the shore line. In result of the horrific accident, the Queen of England declared the island tax free. A law that still stands to this day.
The very tip of the island is the beautiful Starfish Point. Here the team went swimming in the water where there were a bunch of starfish in the water. You were able to snorkel around and pick them up.
There was no rest for the weary. The Rangers were back on the field at night, taking on the Cayman Field Hockey Federation for the second time. The result on this occasion was different as the Rangers took the three-period game, 2-1.
Bea Cannavale scored the game-winner!
Day 7 - August 11th
Happy Birthday
Melissa Boyd!
Today after practice the Rangers were invited on a boat ride to Stingray City, a spot in the middle of the ocean where people can go and swim with stingrays. Members of the Cayman field hockey federation team were also on board!
Everybody on the boat had the opportunity to swim, touch and kiss the stingrays. If you kissed a female stingray (the larger ray) you will receive seven years of good luck and if you kiss the male you will receive 14 of good luck.
One final dinner was scheduled at Royal Palms with a beautiful view of the beach and sunset.
The team is headed back to the States tomorrow afternoon. It was truly an amazing experience on and off the field! #DUFH
