Tour update 29/10/06

Some parents wil have heard this today at Aylesbury but for others .....

The first meeting of the Tour Committe took place on Thursday (26th) th e outcomes were

1. Tour places were initially reserved for 30 players/supporters - 29 have been taken up with a ratio of 16 players to 13 supporters inc coaches. - as a result it was decided to apply of 10 additional places - to give a minimum of 5 additional players and a reasonable sized squad.

Note there is a limited number of places and whilst there is no intention to exclude any members of the sqaud the fact remains there are approx 4,500 other squad memebers form other clubs already booked into the event so spaces are becomeing limited - If you want to come let us know asap so that any additional spaces can be asked for.

2. CRB checks - (Criminal Records Board) - It is a requirement that any official member of the tour party (i.e coaches) is CRB checked - most of the coaches at this age group are however we have been lucky enough to be joned by some additional support this season and their checks are underway.

3. Sponsorship/Funding - The final cost of accommodation and food is yet to be determined but is likely to be approx £120 per head for the three nights. In addition there is travel costs, kit and other equipment to be funded.

* Lottery - This provides a steady income to the sqaud and some parents at Aylesbury took up the option of using this as a means of providing financial support - If you are not a lottery member see the blog that will cover the issue in detail - - It provides a regular , relatively painless source of income to the squad.

* Gate staff - We can earn money from the club by staffing the gate on Home match days - this weekend (4th Nov) the 1st team play Redingesians and Cameron D, Chris P, Jacques T and myself will be running the gate to obtain some funding from ticket sales to support the tour.
We will try and repeat this at suitable matches during the season.

* Sponsorship - Various initiatives are being explored to provide funds for match shirts, travel costs etc. The hope is we can make significant in roads into the cost per parent of the tour.

Do you have a potential source of sponsorship?? Your company, A benevolent friend?

Any suggestions on fund raising ??

There will be more details available in due course.


The Tour Committee is small in number - a pleasing number of parents have offered their support which is very gratefully acknowledged - as roles and jobs fall out of the meetings we will try and designate areas in which this support can be put to best use.

A full parents/supporters meeting is planned (date to be arranged) to update you all in detail during a Marauders social event - probably late November

Regards

DP