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 http://www.hampshirerugby.co.uk/ 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website is sometimes out of date and not the easiest to navigate although it is undergoing review at the time of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 http://www.academyrugby.com/.
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:
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For players that played at county last season:
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They will be exempt from 1st county trial session in UK
They will need to attend 2nd county trial session in UK
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
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For players wishing to be considered
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They will need to attend 1st county trial session in UK
If 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:
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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.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/SOU.html
http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/SWTrains
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
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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.
https://www.airporttaxis-uk.co.uk/Southampton/ or http://www.awhtravel.co.uk/
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.
http://www.premierinn.com/pti/dropdownSearch.do
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; http://www.crouchandholdshops.com/userimages/procart18.htm 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:-
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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
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Registered office: - La Vieille Cour, La Plaiderie, St. Peter Port GY1 4BL
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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
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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 is GABT2060/0/09
2. The name and address of the broker - Tim Mitchell @ CCV Jersey Tel: 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 caseby-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.
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
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Trips should be conducted in accordance with RFU and club recommendations, details of which can be found
on the RFU website: http://www.englandrugby.com/governance/game-support/rugby-tours/resources-andforms.
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:
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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
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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: [email protected]
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
TEAMWORK – RESPECT – ENJOYMENT – DISCIPLINE - SPORTSMANSHIP
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