WGMA European Cup, Tournament Trophy

1 WGMA European Cup, Tournament Trophy Kontich (Belgium) Aug 18th-23rd 2013. Southern Cross Hockey (SCH) plans to enter 3 teams (2 x 60+ and 1 x 65+) in Kontich. This could change depending on your response to this notice. It is possible, depending on the age mix of players who confirm their nomination, that we will have more teams, (eg. a 70+ team) or fewer (eg. only 1 x 60+. team). Dates While the Tournament proper will run from Monday 19th August till Friday 23rd August, it is important that the teams have an opportunity to train and play together before the matches start.

2 Accordingly accommodation has been booked in Antwerp (Antwerp IBIS Central) for the SCH teams from Tuesday 13th August (in) till Saturday 24th (out), viz. 11 nights. The cost will be 50 per person per night which will include breakfast. So you need to make travel arrangements which will get you to Antwerp by the 13th August. This year SCH will NOT be assisting in providing travel through International Sports Tours. Location The 2013 European Grand Masters Championships, including the Tournament Trophy , will be held at the Royal Beerschott HC in Kontich which a small town about 10km south of Antwerp.

3 It is on the main train line between Brussels and Antwerp. It is close to Mechelen and Boom where the Braxgata HC will be hosting the 2013 European Hockey Championships at the same time as the Grand Masters European Cup is being held. Travel arrangements You will need to make your own flight arrangements from Australia to Antwerp (or Brussels). It has been suggested that travel to Schipol airport (Amsterdam) and return, with train connection to Antwerp would be the cheapest and most direct travel route. In Belgium we expect to hire minibuses to use for team travel to and from matches.

4 These will cost about 10pp per day. If you feel up to driving a minibus with 8 passengers, in and around the busy left hand drive roads of Belgium, please let me know. We may need to hire a larger bus or buses to arrange travel to arranged preliminary matches as these may be day tours to other areas of Belgium/Netherland/Germany. Preliminary Matches We expect to be able to arrange at least 2 practice matches in Belgium or within relatively easy commuting distance (Netherland or Germany) prior to the Tournament . Some possible venues include Leuven, Kortrich, Boom, Mechelen.

5 Any suggestions or help in this area would be appreciated Costs A budget and payment schedule will be sent out to those who confirm their nomination. Briefly, you will have to pay for accommodation (see above), travel to/from hockey in Belgium (see above), playing uniform (we will have a track suit this year costing around $100), team registration ( 700/team), WGMA affiliation ( 50/team), team dinner ( 50pp), aftermatch stuff ( 50pp) plus the normal food and entertainment for the 10 days in Belgium. Nomination If you wish to confirm your nomination to play for SCH in Kontich in August this year and have not yet done so, could you please contact me by phone or email (see below) and I will put your name on the list and if required arrange to send you an information sheet.

6 This will need to be completed and returned to me as soon as possible or at the latest by the 31st January. If this is the first time you have nominated to play for SCH you will also need to pay a deposit of $250 per person into the SCH bank account by this date. This money is to confirm the teams' hotel bookings and WGMA Registration fees (see above). The best way to make your payment is to use EFT to: Southern Cross Hockey, BSB: 035044, Account number: 193115. Please make sure you indicate your name clearly on your transfer eg.

7 Roberts (SA). If you do not have access to EFT you can post a personal or bank cheque or money order made out to Southern Cross Hockey. Please address all correspondence to Southern Cross Hockey, PO Box 409, Fullarton SA. 5063. Receipt of all monies will be acknowledged by return email. Please feel free to direct anyone you think may be interested in playing for Southern Cross Hockey, to this news item on the SCH website, Please direct any questions about Kontich to Mike or myself. Ric Roberts (0414 282 621), Mike Black (0409 596 055), Co-Convenors, Southern Cross Hockey 2013.