TEAMWORK –RESPECT –ENJOYMENT –DISCIPLINE - SPORTSMANSHIP
Hampshire County Information –2015/16 Season
Introduction
This document provides information to parents and players to assist in understanding the Hampshire county selection process and associated travel / commitment requirements.
The information will continue to evolve and has been compiled from experiences gained over the past few seasons but is in no way definitive.
The county trials, training and matches are in addition to Guernsey’s Hampshire league/Sussex league commitments. The Academy will support county players in U14,U15, U16, U17 & U18 age groups.
Information is also available at by following the link to “county teams”. The website is sometimes out of date and not the easiest to navigate although it is undergoing review at the time of writing.
Support
You will also receive help from your age group Team Manager whose details appear on the RBS International Guernsey Academy Website
Selection for Trials
Each season Guernsey’s Rugby Development Officer (RDO) works with Lead Coaches for each year group. Players are observed and may be identified for an opportunity to present themselves for Hampshire County selection. Emerging players will also be identified within the U13s for the following season.
Guernsey has traditionally only sent a few players from each age group, due to the cost and commitment involved, but there are now greater numbers of players who have the potential to play at county level. This is an indication of the overall standard of rugby in Guernsey and looks likely to remain so for the foreseeable future so the Academy is striving to assist with funding where possible for more players to attend trials.
The final decision to send players for county trials will rest with the RDO/Chair and Lead Coaches.
The selection works as follows:
•For players that played at county last season:
oThey will be exempt from 1st county trial session in UK
oThey will need to attend 2nd county trial session in UK
•For players wishing to be considered
oThey will need to attend 1st county trial session in UK
oIf invited back –they will need to attend the 2nd county trial session in UK
The dates for trials and matches vary considerably between the age groups. At U16 level the county season is usually condensed during the first half of the season due to it being GCSE year.
Successful County Players
The number of fixtures for each age group can vary enormously. However, if selected, players can expect to commit to as many as 16 off island trips (which includes Guernsey Hampshire or Sussex league fixtures that they play with the Guernsey Academy). The Hampshire commitments include:
•weekend training and matches normally on a Sunday, but in some cases would mean training on a Friday night with a game on a Sunday.
•additional holiday training sessions and county tournaments
•matches can be scheduled during school holidays
Travel
The majority of trips will involve flights between Guernsey and Southampton as the majority of the training and trials are within the Hampshire area. Gatwick can also be useful when the games are around the London area. Transport bookings are the responsibility of the parent/carer who should identify the cheapest option.
When booking flights the cheapest option is to book online to obtain the internet rate (booking well in advance to secure the best price).
Ground Transport
Trains
Available from just outside Southampton Airport terminal. Tickets can be purchased in advance and then collected from the train ticket machine in the arrivals hall. Various companies operate services which run frequently to Winchester and are inexpensive. Prices are between £3-£7 for an adult return. Matches that are further afield usually require a station change and can be lengthy.
Taxis
“Happy Cabs”provide an excellent and competitive taxi service in the Southampton airport area. Please note however, that as they are not the contracted Southampton airport taxi firm, it is important to pre-book. or
Hire Cars
Various companies have outlets in the Airport terminal but service on a Sunday morning can be disappointing if an early start is required. Pre-booking is recommended but shop around for the best price.
Accommodation
The Premier Inn is a short walk from Southampton Airport arrivals. Rooms are about £65 per twin, breakfast is extra. They represent excellent value and are clean and comfortable. Evening meals are available in the small restaurant. Ensure you book the Airport location, as there is also a Premier Inn in the city.
Kit
Selected county players will be given Hampshire socks and a tie. Blue shorts are acceptable and match shirts will be issued on the day. Additional tracksuits, sweatshirts, etc. can be purchased. A new supplier has been contracted; Players will be given a password to be able to purchase items.
Players are expected to travel in shirt and county tie, and attend after match meals in same.
Insurance
County players are now covered under the same conditions as when playing and travelling for the Academy. This only covers the reciprocal health arrangements and does not cover for flight cancellations, personal insurance etc. Neither does it cover follow-up treatment in Guernsey. Specifically, it covers the following:-
•Medical or surgical treatment including specialists' fees
•Emergency dental treatment
•Emergency ophthalmic fees
•Hospitalisation
•Nursing home and nursing attendance charges
•Physiotherapy, massage & manipulative treatment (unless available free of charge)
•Surgical and medical requisites
•Ambulance charges
•Reasonable additional accommodation and repatriation expenses incurred, including costs of a close relative or Academy adult who has to remain or travel with the injured person
•Reasonable travel and accommodation expenses for 2 people to travel from Guernsey if their presence with the injured \ ill person is necessary on medical grounds
•Repatriation expenses incurred with the full consent and authorisation of Underwriters
In the event that a player needs medical treatment, you must contact CEGA Air Ambulance before treatment. Details as follows:
CEGA Air Ambulance Tel: +44 (0) 1243 621525
You will be asked for the following information
1.The policy number - which isGABT2060/0/09
2. The name and address ofthe broker-Tim Mitchell @ CCV JerseyTel: 01534 702700
3. The telephone number from which they are calling from
4. The name and telephone number of the Doctor and Hospital
Costs
Being selected for county honours can cost thousands of pounds for a family. The players will need to be accompanied by a parent when they travel and overnight stays are sometimes required.
The Academy will contribute £100 per player per trip
The Academy will contribute £100 for the travelling adult (travelling with more than one player)
The contributions to the player and travelling adult will be made by cheque from the Academy Treasurer to the parent prior to travel.
Donations
The Guernsey Rugby Association LBG may agree to assist with travel costs. This is to support parents who find the financial commitments demanding. Funds are allocated at the discretion of the committee on a case-by-case basis.
Chaperone
Parent/s will normally accompany their son/daughter and therefore will be responsible for their welfare and conduct. If a parent choses to agree private arrangements for a chaperone in their place, the non-travelling parents will discharge responsibility for their children providing the chaperone with medical and contact details and the chaperone will accept responsibility for the duration of the trip.
Trips should be conducted in accordance with RFU and club recommendations, details of which can be found on the RFU website:
In such private arrangements, such as a parent of one child accompanying others with their own, chaperones will not necessarily have a current DBS Certificate and therefore non-travelling parents should ensure that they are happy with arrangements and understandings. This is not usually a problem as players will have known each other for a period of time and will have played for Guernsey on a number of occasions, thus developing an understanding of what is expected and acceptable. Parents will also be known to each other and will have developed a relationship over the years. Any parent who is not happy with arrangements will have to make their own travel arrangements as necessary.
The chaperone may be male or female. They will:
•Take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare and safety of players under their charge
•Deal with any medical situations under the advice of attending medical professionals
•Liaise with players’parents for the above scenarios
•Shall not share accommodation with players unless they share a room solely with their children unless non-travelling parents consent to their child sharing with the chaperone
•Enforce behaviour and codes of conduct as a representative of Guernsey Rugby Academy
•Ensure they have consent and medical forms to hand
Responsibilities
Year Group Team Manager
•Liaise with respective Guernsey age group lead coach
•Liaise with respective Hampshire age group team manager
•Organise Group flights where possible, accommodation and transport for trials, training and matches. Please note that if Group flights are not available, the Team Manager will advise parents in their age group of preferred flights to be booked and paid for independently by parents. Parents are required to pay for Group flights within 5 working days of a request for payment.
Sponsorship
Past successful Hampshire players have secured sponsorship privately to support their season. This of course is actively encouraged by the Academy.
General Enquiries
Steven Melbourne
Rugby Development Officer
Mob: 07781137988
E-mail:
Selected Players
Players selected to represent Guernsey at Hampshire County games are expected to uphold the Core Values of Rugby within the County, Club and School environment. Players who do not uphold these Core Values will be removed from the County Squad.
The Academy supports (Financially, Coaching and Conditioning) those players selected for County honours and therefore players are expected to support the Academy in return for the investment, whether it be coaching younger age groups as a role model, supporting the Academy’s fund raising and other Academy related events (Easter 7s and Summer Rugby Camp etc.). Players who are not willing to provide the support to the Academy WILL NOT be considered for County selection.
Guernsey Rugby Academy LBG is a Guernsey registered company limited by guarantee with registration number: 52220
Registered office: -La Vieille Cour, La Plaiderie, St. Peter Port GY1 4BL
JAN 2016