65thHome Office Sports Day
Friday 28 July 2017
This year’s Home Office Sports Day will be held on Friday 28 July 2017atImber Court, the Metropolitan Police Sports Ground at Thames Ditton in Surrey.
Participation in the annual Home Office sports day not only promotes health and wellbeing but also provides an opportunity for us all to develop team working skills within and between directorates.
On the basis that participation can bring benefits to the individual, the team, and the organisation, sports day is regarded as a developmental activity for those who are competing in or facilitating events, subject to line managers being able to release them from normal duties to participate.This is obviously at the line manager’s discretion, but all managers are encouraged to support requests when there is no detrimental effect on the business or its operations. Any request to attend as a participant or a facilitator should be viewed the same as any other learning and development activity. Spectators, however, must still use annual leave to attend.
There will be entertainment and activities for the whole family, with a good mix of sporting events and a non- sports programme which includes health and wellbeing activities, along with a range of children’s activities including face painting, a bouncy castle and fun races.
We will also havethe usual wide range of stalls including the Book People, CSSC, the staff networks and a variety of food stalls.
Volunteers to help with the running of the day are always welcome. If you are willing to help with any of the events at Sports Day, please contact the EthosGeneral Secretary at the address shown below. Helpers are always needed as referees/umpires/assistants - you don’t need to be qualified to helpor to assist in the general organisation of Sports Day as stewards, both in the office and around the ground.
Please note the closing date for entries is Friday 30thJune, 2017.
CONTACT FOR ENQUIRIES
Gary Coutinho
ETHOS General Secretary
Ground Floor, Seacole Building,
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
020 7035 6242
Email:
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
ATHLETICS
Athletics events start at 1pm.
MEN’S EVENTS: 100M, 200M, 400M, 800M and1500M.
WOMEN’S EVENTS: 100M, 200M, 400M, 800M and 1500M.
VETERANS compete alongside other competitors in all athletics events although there will be a separate result and trophy for the best overall veteran. Veterans are defined, by national governing bodies, as men of 40years or over and women of 35 or over on Sport Day. Those wishing to enter as Veterans should mark their entry form with a “V” where indicated.
Entries for these events on the individual entry form please.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S RELAY (4 competitors per team): Should there be so many entries that heats are required these will be scheduled earlier in the afternoon. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
MIXED RELAY (4 competitors per team): Each team should comprise of 2 men and 2 women. Should there be so many entries that heats are required these will be scheduled earlier in the afternoon. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
BOWLS
The bowling green is available for our use. Players may only use this facility if they are wearing Bowls shoes. They should bring their own bowling balls. Please note there will only be a competition if we have enough entries and someone volunteers to run one. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
CRICKET
The six-a-side competition will start at 10am. Each squad shall comprise of 8 players.The number of teams accepted will be restricted to 12. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
FOOTBALL
The Men’s six-a-sidecompetition will start at 10am. Each squad shall comprise of 8 players.The number of teams accepted will be restricted to 48. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
The Women’ssix-a-sidecompetition will start at 2pm approx (depends on when the men’s knock-out phase begins). Each squad shall comprise of 8 players.Entries on the team competition entry form please.
GOLF
The golf competition will be held at Fulwell Golf Clubon Thursday 22 June, 2017.Entries are invited from teams of 4 representing either a golf society or a workplace. The number of teams accepted will be restricted to 10. Entries on the team competition entry form by Thursday25May, 2017.
HOCKEY
The mixed six-a-side competition will start at 10am. The number of teams will be restricted to 6.Each team must have no more than 3 male players on the pitch at any one time and no more than 9 players in the squad. Please note there will only be a competition if we have enough entries. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
NETBALL
Both netball competitions will start at 12.30 prompt.
Women’s Teams of 7. Each squad shall comprise of 9 players. The number of teams accepted will be restricted to 12.
MixedTeams of four women and three men. Each squad shall comprise of 9 players. There must be a male player in each third of the court, 1 playing GS or GA, 1 playing GKor GD and the other 1 playing C,WA or WD. If a team does not have four women and three men they will have to play with one or two players short as appropriate. The number of teams accepted will be restricted to 12.
Please show clearly on the team competition entry form ifyou are entering the Women’s or Mixed competition. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
PETANQUE
The petanque competition will start at 10am. Pairs may be single sex or mixed. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
QUIZ
The quiz will start at 3pm. The number of teams accepted will be restricted to 15, Teams of 3 from either sex or mixed. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
ROUNDERS
The mixed rounders competition will start at 10am. Mixed teams of 9 members with no more than 4 male players on the pitch at any one time. Each squadshall comprise of 12 players. The number of teams will be restricted to 32. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
SQUASH
The singles squash competition will start at 10am. Entries on the individual entry form please.Please note there will only be a competition if we have enough entries.
RUGBY
Either mixed six a side touch rugby competition or Rugby 7s will start at 10am. Rugby 7’s Male or Female teams. Please note there will only be a competition if we have enough entries. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
TENNIS
The pair’s tennis competition will start at 10am. Pairs may be single sex or mixed but ETHOS reserves the right to hold separate contests should enough of any one category warrant it. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
TUG OF WAR
Teams of 7 (6 + coach)single sex or mixed teams may enter but ETHOS reserves the right to hold separate contests should enough of any one category warrant it. Entries on the team competition entry form please.
ENTRY RULES
Entry to all events is restricted to members (and retired staff) of the Home Office and its Agencies.
Former Home Office staff now working in the Ministry of Justice, or other departments, may also compete as individuals or in any team at Sports Day providing they areETHOS members and have paid the ETHOSannual subscription of £12.00.
You may not play for more than one team in the same event. Any team found to be entering ineligible members will be immediately disqualified, whatever stage of the competition they have reached. If you are found to have played for more than one team in the same event you will be disqualified from further participation in the events on Sports Day and your teams will also be disqualified.
Please do not enter for any event in which you do not expect to compete or which conflicts with your other activities on the day. It is not possible to compete in more than one of the major events like cricket, football, hockey, netball, petanque, rounders, squash, and tennis or touch rugby as they all run concurrently. If you intend to enter a number of athletic events you are reminded that, because of the limited time available for the meeting, it will not always be possible to allow the recommended minimum rest periods between events.
If you are a member of a team that is knocked out in an early stage of the competition it may be possible for you to enter for the athletics events or Tug-of-war.
ENTRY FORMS
If you wish to enter any of the events, please complete either the individual competition form or the team competition entry form or both, and, if necessary,the Expenses Claim Form. Please do not apply for both individual and team events on the same form.
It is essential that you write clearly on application forms, preferably in CAPITAL LETTERS and include the first names and surnames and email addresses of all members in team applications. If you are acting as a liaison point for your office or for your team, please make sure that this is clear and that all the forms include your details (name, address, and email address etc as well).
All sections and all fields of the forms must be completed.
You may send the form by post or e-mail to the ETHOSGeneral Secretary. Telephone applications cannot be accepted. You will receive confirmation of entry into competitions by e-mail,after the closing date.
The organisers of all events reserve the right to limit the number of participants or teams if there are too many entries. Please make sure that you or your teams only send in one application for any one event, to avoid duplication of entries.
Please send entries for all events to the ETHOSGeneral Secretary, by no later than 30 June 2017. Early receipt of forms will make the administration much easier. Late entries will only be accepted where less than the maximum number has been received by the closing date. For athletics events (including Novelty events)and Tug-of-war only, entries will be accepted on the day.
HOME OFFICE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT
The Home Office is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of:
Gender / gender identity / race / disability / sexual orientation / religion or belief / age / marriage and civil partnerships / pregnancy and maternity / caring responsibilities / part-time working, or / any other factor irrelevant to a person’s work.
We encourage a diverse workforce and aim to provide a working environment where all staff at all levels are valued and respected, and where discrimination, bullying, promotion of negative stereotyping and harassment are not tolerated.
PLEASE NOTE: Any team names that do not comply, particularly in relation to negative stereotyping, will not be accepted and the team will be disqualified.
REGISTRATION
Please register for your events as soon as you can after you arrive at the ground. Each event will have its own registration desk and will be open an hour before the event is scheduled to start.
EXPENSES (for competitors)
ETHOSwill consider making a contribution towards your travelling expenses if you are an ETHOS / CSSC member and have to travel a long distance to attend Sports Day. If you wish to claim travelling expenses you must complete the Expenses Proposal at the end of this Notice. All applications will be acknowledged before Sports Day so that you will know whether your claim is likely to be met. No travel expenses will be payable if you live or work in the Greater London Travel card area or at Gatwick.
Claims for travel by car will be for mileage only, at the rate of 40p/mile and will not cover the hire of vehicles or an allowance for passengers carried. Otherwise, the usual Departmental rules about use of private vehicles will apply. Day or overnight subsistence will not be payable.
ETHOS expects all staff to take advantage of advance booking arrangements for rail travel etc and to minimise their claims wherever possible. ETHOS reserves the right to check claims and to reduce claims accordingly.
No expenses will be paid out on Sports Day and competitors should allow up to 4 weeks for clearance of claims. All claims must be made after Sports Day using the ETHOS claim form, which will be provided when your application is approved. They should be forwarded to the ETHOSTreasurer (details below)for confirmation.
No expenses will be paid unless they are approved in advance by the ETHOSTreasurer.
Denise Speakman
Ethos Treasurer
Aragon Court
Northminster Road
Peterborough
PE1 1QG
Email:
SAFETY
It is the responsibility of all competitors to wear any appropriate safety clothing or equipment to guard against personal injury whilst competing. All competitors take part at their own risk and accept the liability and cost of any injury sustained while competing. Competitors are, therefore advised to take out their own insurance against injury.
SECURITY OF PROPERTY
Staff are reminded to look after their own property. Do not leave bags unattended or in locked or unlocked vehicles, particularly if parked on public roads, as thefts have occurred in the past. ETHOS is not liable for any losses incurred whilst at Sports Day and thefts of this kind are not covered by our insurance. It is down to you to take care and ensure you have adequate insurance cover if you wish to. You are also reminded to keep all your kit and equipment with you when you move between pitches. If you do lose something, speak to the organisers on the day.
ATTENDANCE
Participation in the annual Home Office sports day not only promotes health and wellbeing but also provides an opportunity for all staff to develop team working skills within and between directorates.
Building and demonstrating exceptional team-working skills is a high priority for the Permanent Secretary. Team sport also teaches discipline, team work, responsibility and respect – all good qualities that should be encouraged at every level.
On the basis that participation can bring benefits to the individual, the team, and the organisation, the Permanent Secretary has decided that sports day should therefore be regarded as a developmental activity for those who are competing in or facilitating events, subject to line managers being able to release them from normal duties to participate.This is obviously at the line manager’s discretion, but all managers should support requests when there is no detrimental effect on the business or its operations. Any request to attend as a participant or a facilitator should be viewed the same as any other learning and development activity. Spectators, however, must still use annual leave to attend.