Newsletter Number 2, January 2010
The International Under 18 Hockey Festival is planned for July 18 to July 24, 2011 in Cape Town, South Africa. Introduced in 2003, the Cape Town International Under 18 Hockey Festival is a well-established celebration of the great game of field hockey for School and Club teams, supporters, coaches and officials. An extremely valuable hockey and educational experience for all who take part, the Cape Town Under 18 Festival attracts teams from throughout the world.
In this newsletter read about:
The International Under 18 Hockey Festival in Cape Town, South Africa provides a wonderful chance for young hockey players and supporters to meet with young people from other parts of the world and to enjoy the considerable sporting and educational benefits.
Good competition that will test hockey skills combined with social, cultural and educational activities that will enhance the development of all who take part. Parent and supporters welcomed to be part of the great celebration of hockey and all that Cape Town has to offer.
Peter McDermott
VSL Hockey
(a division of Vintage Sport and Leisure Ltd)
Level 1, 250 Mahurangi East Rd
PO Box 78, Snells Beach 0942, New Zealand
Telephone: (+64) 9 425 5294
Facsimile: (+64) 9 425 6956
Email: peter@vslhockey.com
Website: www.under18hockey.com
Teams from various parts of the world are encouraged to take part and to enjoy good hockey on excellent fields and with outstanding administrative support.
The teams are either school or club teams or a combination of both. The Festival involves both Boys and girls teams. The standard of the Festival is high but we run a Festival & Plate competition which keeps all participating teams interest in the event.
Players are required to be Under 18 on 1st March 2011 and all teams must be accompanied by two adults- coaches and/or staff. Parents are welcomed to accompany teams and to enjoy the hockey and the hospitality offered by the Festival.
“I would like to extend my thanks ......for including Somerset College in the U18 Cape Town International Schools/Clubs Hockey Festival. Chris, thank you for the entertainment and endless enthusiasm, This Festival has been fantastic for hockey in general and youth hockey in the Cape specifically. It is much needed and your vision reminds us that the future of hockey is bright!
To all the Brothers Staff a Festival of note. Fred Davis
Head of Girls Hockey
Somerset College”
Chris Brothers of Brothers Sports is the management behind the successful implementation of the Carnival. A resident and successful sports event manager in Cape Town for the last 7 years, Chris has managed enjoyable and popular Under 18 Carnival since 2003.
Chris is passionate about all sports but has a special place for Hockey and currently has a son in the England Representative Hockey Squad. Chris and his team ensure a very successful and enjoyable hockey and educational experience for those teams taking part.
VSL Hockey are engaged in promoting the Festival and encouraging schools and clubs world-wide to take up the opportunity to be part of a prestigious and enjoyable Hockey celebration. VSL Hockey manage and promote the World Vintage Hockey Carnival for players over the age of 35 (www.vintage-hockey.com) and are pleased to be able to assist to encourage players under 18 to travel to excellent hockey destinations and to enjoy an outstanding tournament.
VSL also have a golf section and VSL Golf manages and promotes the established and successful World Schools Golf Challenge-the 3rd of which will be staged in Cape Town in April 2011 (www.schoolsgolf.com)
Monday 18th July:
Teams will arrive at Cape Town International Airport to be met by representatives of the Festival and transferred to their choice of accommodation in central Cape Town. During the afternoon the coach is available for transfer to practice facilities or for sight-seeing excursions. Evening at leisure.
Tuesday 19th July:
Coach will pick teams up at 9.00am for an hour practice on the astro-turf at Hartleyvale Stadium. Following practice time for some further sight-seeing including perhaps a trip to Table Mountain. Late afternoon the coach will transfer teams to the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 Under 18s Hockey Festival. Following the Opening teams will transfer back to their hotel for their evening meal and the chance to mix with other international teams.
Wednesday 20th July:
1st day of Festival matches with each team playing 2 games (20 minute halves). Games will be played at Hartleyvale Stadium (2 astro turf fields), University of Cape Town (only 5 minutes from Hartleyvale) and Old Mutual Sports Club (only a further 5 minutes away). Coach transport will be provided to and from matches.
Thursday 21st July:
2nd day of Festival matches with each team playing 2 games. Transfer provided for all games.
Friday 22nd July:
3rd day of Festival matches with each team playing 2 games. Transport to and from games provided. Evening enjoy a disco and buffet dinner at a venue to be advised and with transfer to and from teams accommodation provided.
Saturday 23rd July:
A full day excursion to Cape Point with the tour including a boat trip to Seal Island, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and finally a visit to Boulders Beach to see the renowned penguin colony. Evening return to your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed evening meal.
Sunday 24th July:
The 4th day of the Festival is Finals Day and each team will play one game to determine their position in the Festival. Following the last games in the late afternoon the Festival presentations will take place at Hartleyvale Stadium followed by the Closing Ceremony. The evening following the Closing Ceremony is at leisure with transport being available if required.
Monday 25th July:
Transfer back to Cape Town International Airport for your return home or perhaps head off for further travel and sightseeing in beautiful South Africa.
The cost of the program as laid out is ZAR6,100 per person on a share twin and share quad basis.
The equivalent to ZAR6,100 at 20th January 2010 is:-
- US$825.00;
- AU$895.00;
- GBP505.00;
- NZ$1,120.00;
- CA$850.00;
- EURO575.00.
Please remember this is only an indication and exchange rates vary from time to time. Suggest you check the currency from time to time but the above gives an indication of costs using current exchange rates.
NB: All teams receive 2 free staff places for every team of 18 players entered.
The Festival Accommodation Hotels are:
CAPE TOWN LODGE Situated in the hub of Cape Town’s CBD , this distinguished hotel is ideally positioned, making attractions like the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Kirstenbosch Gardens easily accessible. Accommodation will be on a Share Twin basis.
PARK INN HOTEL GREENMARKET SQUARE Conveniently located on the historic Greenmarket Square, the Park Inn Greenmarket Square Hotel is the ideal base for exploring historic sites such as Robben Island, the rock paintings along the Western Cape and the beautiful beaches along South Africa's coastline. Accommodation will be on a Share Twin basis.
BREAKWATER LODGE VICTORIA AND ALFRED WATERFRONT Ideally positioned in the heart of Cape Town's V & A Waterfront development. Once a 19th Century prison, the Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge today provides comfortable and affordable Cape Town hotel accommodation in a spectacular setting that looks over the bay and up onto Table Mountain. Accommodation on a share quad basis for pupils and share twin for adults.
Should you wish to make additional travel arrangements within South Africa or neighbouring countries either before or after the Festival please let us know what may interest you and we can make all arrangements and can tailor them to suit your group.
There are many options that may be of interest including:
Sun City; Kruger National Park; Victoria Falls (Tanzania); Garden Route plus a number of others.
If you need assistance with your air travel to and from the Festival please do not hesitate to be in touch and we can arrange travel and stopovers that will suit your group.
Contact:
VSL Hockey
Level 1, 250 Mahurangi East Rd
PO Box 72, Snells Beach 0942, New Zealand
Telephone: +64 9 425 5294
Facsimile: +64 9 425 6956
Email: enquiries@vslhockey.com
Cape Town, South Africa is one of the most awesome destinations in the world for sport lovers to visit.
Set on a peninsula at the southwestern tip of the African continent, it is surrounded by ocean on both sides and blessed with an array of fantastic beaches. The city has been listed repeatedly among the globe’s most desirable destinations for its addictive blend of urban sophistication, scenic splendour and cultural diversity.
Cape Town’s most iconic natural asset is Table Mountain, and no trip to the city is complete without a stint on its incredible plateau. Once you’ve surveyed Cape Town from the upper cable car station 1000m above the city you will much more easily get your bearings around the city.
You can get to the top via cable car. The trip takes around 10 minutes and the revolving gondolas offer superb 360 degree views of the mountain, city and sea.
It is unavoidable that you will end up at the V&A Waterfront which is a stylish mall and entertainment complex with shops, restaurants, bars, movie theatres and a craft market. It’s also the departure point for boat trips to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. .
Long Street, cutting through the heart of the CBD, is one of Cape Town’s hippest haunts, lined with shops, restaurants, bars and clubs, and pulsing with energy, especially on a balmy summer evening.
Beaches? Take your pick. If the southeaster is blowing the best bet is Clifton, roughly 20 minutes from the city centre, with four sheltered coves separated by large granite boulders. It’s the beach of the rich and the beautiful along with Camps Bay, a little further along the coast, where the beach is backed by a palm-studded promenade lined with glitzy bars and restaurants.
Easy to get around, safe and secure if you follow the usual precautions, sports mad, scenic, laid-back and great fun, Cape Town is a fantastic destination. With a mix of modern homes, plenty of history and a short drive to rugged mountains, coastline and the Cape of Good Hope, the city and its surrounds has more to offer than ever anticipated. Well worth a visit and by the way...they love all sports!
If you haven’t already, take a look at http://www.cape-town.info/ and find out more.
Security
Cape Town is the same as any major city in the world and a degree of common sense is required of all visitors (just as it is for any large city). Visitors should exercise the usual precautions and should not travel the streets at night alone; should avoid dark and lonely places; exercise caution when carrying valuables; use the hotel safes and safety deposit boxes and generally behave as you would in your home town.
The popular areas such as the shopping malls, beaches, hotels, tourist areas and the V and A Waterfront are considered safe areas, have adequate security and can be enjoyed comfortably and relaxed.
Established taxi cabs are great transport and reasonably priced. Hotel staff are approachable, courteous and very helpful.
Cape Town needs to be treated with caution just as other cities all over the world. It is a wonderful place to visit and to enjoy.
It may pay to enter soon as we are limited as to the number of teams we can handle and it will be a case of 1st come, 1st in.
To enter just go to www.vintagehockey.com and use the online facilities available-you can download an entry form and mail or fax your entry to us or can complete the registration on line and send us your entry accordingly.
Please let us know if you have any difficulty and we will mail you an entry form to be completed and mailed or faxed back to us.
Peter McDermott
VSL Hockey
(a division of Vintage Sport and Events Ltd)
Level 1, 250 Mahurangi East Rd
PO Box 78, Snells Beach 0942, New Zealand
Telephone: (+64) 9 425 5294
Facsimile: (+64) 9 425 6956
Email: peter@vslhockey.com
www.vslhockey.com