The Draft Tournament / Le Tournoi

24/08/2025

Over and out in Anglet, France.. 🏆🏒🍷🇫🇷

23/08/2025

Wow.... just wow!!! 😍😍🏆

22/08/2025

Dorm key for collection in the Epi cafe.

Keys for the Dorms are in the bar with Jimi Drinkall

22/08/2025

Bet you all wish you'd booked on the French tournament now?! 🍖🍻

22/08/2025

It begins... 🇫🇷🍻🍻

20/08/2025

Captain number 6!! 🫡🍺🏒

And here we have it! The final captain for this years Basqueland Draft!!🫡

She is one of the “4 legends” who have played every single tournament we have hosted!

Introducing Wallace Fennesy!! 🏒🍺

“Ey up, I'm Wallace.
You may remember me from last year, or the year before that and that other one in Sheffield.
The draft tournaments have become highlights of my summer so I'm chuffed to bits to be captaining a team in France! But slightly concerned I've been given responsibilites....
I cannot promise I'll carry my team to victory, far from it in fact but I can promise that I've packed an optic for changing room fireball shots, I'll encourage bench beers and banter, and I'll 100% bring the party!
Can't wait to see you all soon!
Viva la draft tournoi!
Vivia Jimi, Vix & Ross!”

19/08/2025

Captain number 5! 🏒🫡

Captain number 5!!!

He is the one and only owner of Celly Ice Hockey and has kindly sponsored our tournaments giving his sticks out as prizes 🏒

Introducing Mitch Bailey! Here are Mitch’s thoughts on the tournament and being one of this years captains 🍺🏒🫡

“Hi! Im Mitch, I play rec hockey for the Nottingham City Cyclones with my first time Ice skating 3 years ago.
Firstly I'm honoured to be asked to be Captain. Im not sure why or how I was chosen but il take it.
For those that came in 2024 you'll know it's surreal. Rink on a beach!?
For those who's first time is 2025 then expect a chill, positive, fun atmosphere.
Theres a wide skill range of people from around the world, men, women, old, young, pro and novice!

I also started a stick brand called CELLY Ice hockey which has taken way too much of my time over the past 2 years.
Last year we ran a 'celly' competition, whoever did the most spectacular celly won a custom stick.
Things got out of hand and 4 people came away with custom sticks (although Xavi's is still stuck in the french postal system).

So, because of the success last year, were doing it again although were keeping it capped to the top 2. (Judges can be bribed with beer)

Last years notable performances;
-flopping around on the ice like a fish
-pretending to be a dog urinating on the opposing net
-jumping the boards into the other teams bench and bonking their heads

I hope to see some more innovation this year.

See you soon”

18/08/2025

Captain number 4!!! 🤣🫡🍺🏒

I think it’s time to announce captain number 4!!

How to announce Lewis…let’s just say the least said about the final night of the draft 2023 the better!! 🤣

What happens in France, stays in France! 🇫🇷🍺🏒😂

Introducing Lewis Phillips!! 😆🫡😂

“Hello there, I’m Lewis, i enjoy nice long walks across the beach, sometimes clothed, sometimes naked.

I captain my ball hockey team and captained at the first le draft tournoi so hopefully will bring the following qualities as captain;

1. Team work - I’m here to inspire teamwork, keep morale high, and make sure we always finish strong…something I fail to do off the rink

2. Consistency - my role as captain is simple, keep you boys hard, skating, hard… shooting, hard… you get the idea

3. Strategy - I’ll make sure we keep it tight in the back, finish hard up front, and always know when to pull out… the goalie

4. Motivation - I promise to keep this team motivated, whether it’s chasing pucks, chasing beers, or chasing something we’ll regret in the morning

I think the organisers have done an incredible job building this tournament up each time giving us something more to look forward to, I look forward to giving them a special thanks in private.

I have quite a clean record so far at these tournaments and have struggled to let loose in the past so here’s to an absolutely carnage tournament 🍻”

17/08/2025

Captain number 3!! 🫡🍺🏒

What better way to cheer up a Sunday evening than to announce this years third captain?! 🫡

She has been to almost every tournament in both the UK and France and had introduced quite a few friends to our tournaments as well! 🏒🍺

Introducing captain number three, Rachel Coleman!

Here’s Rachel’s thoughts on the tournament and how she feels about being one of this years captains!

“Hi, I'm Rachel, I've just finished my third Sheffield Draft Tournament and am looking forward to my third Biarritz Draft Tournoi. I love the atmosphere of the Draft weekends, the way we pull together a bunch of people who may not know each other Friday evening but are a solid team by the end of Sunday. Making new friends, meeting old friends, playing hard and partying hard.

I'm honoured to be a captain for this year's Tournoi. I'm really looking forward to putting a team together, and hopefully making a lot of good memories this weekend in France. Can't wait to see you all at the party on Friday, and on the ice on Saturday and Sunday. Let's play some hockey!"

16/08/2025

RUFIOOOO!!! 🫡🍺🏒

Good evening hockey fans!! 🏒🍺

What better way to live up your Saturday night than to announce our 2nd captain for this years tournament!!

Announcing “Rufio, Rufio, RUFIOOOO” otherwise known as Dan Kwok!

Here’s Dan’s thoughts on the tournament and bring one of this year’s captain!

“Hi I'm Dan (but you can call me Rufiooooooo) and I'm back for my 3rd Anglet Draft Turnoi as I simply cannot get enough!! Having played for the Seagulls, and Mucho Mucho Citra in previous drafts I'm honoured to be selected as a captain this year x

I've captained my uni team, and am the Oxford contingent's holiday planner so would like to think I am up for the task of leading a team to victory 🙏 (tho I've had many a horrendous losing scoreline in my time). I'm most excited to be able to choose my teams jersey...and I've got my eyes set on one in particular 👀👀 I've spent my summer getting ready for this weekend- by ripping pucks into my housemate's window and binge drinking in the obscene heat.

The Anglet Turnoi is one of the highlights of the year, cementing itself as a staple in the summer calendar for us Oxford boys. Ross, Vicky, Jimi and the gang somehow make it better and better with each successive year. This year is no exception and I've been given a sneak peak at some of the upgrades we've been treated to this year and it's exceeded my expectations once again!

Bring it on Anglet!!”

16/08/2025

We have a few last minute spots (players and goalies) available for le Basqueland Draft Tournoi - Anglet by the beach in France next weekend.

If you help us fill one, there is a sweet gift pack from BASQUELAND BREWERY and STANCE with your name on it...

Please see below: