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Old Cats Minis Tour 2018
Under 7’s – Under 12’s 13th – 16th April (last weekend of Easter Holidays)

Once again we are planning on taking part in the Tigers Challenge at Butlins Bognor Regis.
At this point we are just asking who is interested in going but will be booking the teams in by the end of November so deposits of £70 per player will be required by Sunday 15th October 2017

The booking at Butlins runs from Friday 13th, when there is just a coaches meeting & the timetable of games is given out, there are matches Saturday & Sunday morning & the awards ceremony is late Sunday afternoon. The rooms are booked until Monday morning but I’m aware that most children will need to be back at school Monday morning & so may need to leave Sunday night. When not playing rugby, there is full access to all of the facilities at Butlins & both food options include breakfast, lunch & dinner.
The rugby ground is a short walk away from Butlins.

Last year we raised a very impressive £7,000+ to subsidize the players & coaches’ accommodation, food, tour kit & hoodie however due to the popularity of tour this money was not enough to cover all expenses & but thanks to late season fundraising we have made up the deficit. This does however mean we are starting from scratch regarding 2018’s tour & why we are asking a deposit of £70 per player this year.
The total cost of a player to go including playing shirt, hoodie, accommodation & food will be approx. £215, an adult is approx. £180, this is based on the cheapest room (silver)& food court, but gives you an idea of costs. You can choose which type of accommodation you want & which food option. Please see chart below for all rooms & food option available.
You do have to book a food option as part of the package. Last year we booked very late & some room options were not available. If we stick to the time scale of payment below hopefully this year everyone will get the rooms they require but there is a chance some rooms may sell out & the price increase. I can book the rooms in November once half the balance is paid.
All children must be accompanied by someone with parental supervision (this can be another players parent, but only at a ratio of one adult to two players, non-playing children don’t count & if the players are your children bring as many as you want but one parent can’t be responsible for half the team)

The rough time payments will be due is
* £70 non-refundable players deposit – By Sunday October 15th
Teams will then be booked in with Tigers Challenge
* Half the remaining balance per booking will be due Sunday November 26th
This will include accommodation & food options booked for all members of your group & possibly tour shirt & tour hoodie for players. Full balance at this time is fine.
* Remaining balance due Sunday 14th January

Hopefully, as last year, the fundraising will be able to subsidized the players costs but we won’t know how much until nearer the time. Please be prepared to pay the full amount for players at this time. Money over paid by parents can always be refunded.

This year I am planning on sending much of the info regarding tour via Facebook on the new group ‘Old Cats Minis & Cubs’ as this is the easiest way for me to reach all age groups.
Please request to join the group, there are two questions to answer to make sure it is only people connected to the club joining the group. (FYI Paul is head of the minis & Becky coaches the cubs) This will nor replace the team WhatsApp groups.

If you are interested in coming on tour please add your details to the signup sheet with Kerri over the next two Sundays. I am also hoping to delegate some of the tour workload this year & would like a parent from each age group, coming on tour, to volunteer to join the tour committee. Meetings will be once a month probably 8pm Tuesdays at the pub. Starting in October. This will be to sort coordinate fund raising, sponsorship, organise some fund-raising events & making sure all info & money from parents is collected.

If you know of any business or individuals who might like to sponsor the tour please let me know their details via email (beckycox987@gmail.com)
Sponsors get their company logo or name on either the tour kit or hoodie, placement will depend on amounts given.

There are no team entry fees to the Tigers Challenge. All costs associated with the festival are included in the accommodation charges. It is a condition of entry to the festival that accommodation for your whole party, including players, family members, coaches and supporters, must be booked through ESF Events. We do have to pay a £250 deposit per team, which is then taken off our final total tour balance, which is why all money will be paid to me & then I will pay Butlins.
U7: 4-a-side U8: 6-a-side U9: 7-a-side U10: 8-a-side U11: 9-a-side U12: 12-a-side
Ideally all teams will have lease one sub