27th August - 1st September 2018

Pre-season Tour - Anadia, Portugal Welcome

Thank you for showing interest in attending the Russell Hoops’ Annual European Tour to be held in Anadia, Portugal in August 2018. Within this brochure we have provided you with as much information that is readily available to us at this time. Please feel free to Email the Director of Russell Hoops, Ben Russell, at [email protected] if you have any further questions.

The Russell Hoops’ Annual Tour has become one of the highlights and most important date of the year for our players within Hertfordshire and also players throughout England.

Previous tours have been life-changing and a massive positive experience for all those participants who have attended over the years. We really value and see the importance of foreign experiences that will expose players to an environment that is forever challenging and intense.

As well as the obvious on-court benefts, it is also everything off-court that make our tours as powerful and motivational that its reputation suggests. Players are taught important life-skills through challenging yet fun conditions.

We invite you to join us in Portugal for the frst time in this new location, and create yourself life- lasting memories with the Russell Hoops’ family! Basketball

Portugal is one of the founding members of the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA), and has one of the world’s longest basketball traditions.

Basketball is engrained in the culture in Portugal. The people are very passionate about basketball which is a major sport and very well respected.

The country’s main basketball clubs are S.L. Benfca and FC . Both teams have competed at several European Cups over the past years.

The basketball experience for our Russell Hoops Tour Players will be centered on the facilities of the Sun Live Basketball Academy and Sangalhos Desporto Basketball Club.

Sangalhos D.C. was founded in 1940 and is one of the oldest clubs in Portugal. It is steep in tradition and has a history that includes many national titles within the junior and senior level.

Our basketball tour will be hosted by Sun Live Basketball Academy and Head Coach Josh Merrington. Josh is a former coach at Northumbria University, BBL team Leicester Riders, EABL Charnwood College and the England U16’s National Girls Team. Josh has also directed several Elite Basketball Camps for us at Russell Hoops and is a strong supporter of our programme.

The tour will feature three games against high-quality Portuguese Junior Teams, coaching clinics with guest coaches daily, as well as team/individual skill development training sessions.

We will also host several workshops, on nutrition, strength and conditioning and injury prevention. Hotel Accommodation

Estalagem de Sangalhos

An English-speaking hotel deep in the heart of the Bairrada region. This quiet hotel boasts panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. It features an outdoor pool (that the boys will have access to daily) and a tennis court. Internet is also available and free of charge.

Estalagem de Sangalhos offers a restaurant serving traditional regional buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, making sure our boys will not go hungry. The buffet option is also favourable for some of our more ‘fussier’ players.

The air-conditioned rooms include private bathrooms with showers and bathtubs. Some will include balconies that overlook the hills, garden or pool. Cultural/Rest Day

In-between the tour, we will have a rest day where we will have the opportunity to see the sites of our tour destination, build team chemistry and recharge the batteries!

This year, we are located just 25 minutes away from Aveiro. Aveiro is a coastal town and is known as “The Venice of Portugal” because of the River that runs through the city and the boat trips on the Gondola’s. Aveiro boasts some of Portugal’s best beaches including Praia da Barra and Praia da Costa Nova.

The boys (and coaches) will take advantage of resting up on these beautiful white sandy beaches and taking part in the famous coaches v players relay, beach games, and other challenges! Surf lessons are also available at players’ expense. Travel

Estalagem de Sangalhos is located 54.7 miles from the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto. Flights: Our fights are booked through Easy Jet. They are direct fights departing and returning from Gatwick. See fight details below: Flight: 8583 London Gatwick to Porto - Monday, 27 August 2018 Departure 09:40 Arriving 12:05

Flight: 8582 Porto to London Gatwick - Saturday, 01 September 2018 Departure 06:40 Arriving 09:00

Airport Transfer/Meeting Point: For any players needing an airport transfer on 27th August, we will have a coach leaving from Chauncy School in Ware @ 5.45am. Meet time is 05:30. Please note that for this service it is an additional £15. Players going directly to the airport will meet at 06:45, Level 1, Gatwick North Terminal (at Costa Coffee). We expect all players to be collected from Arrivals on 1st September, as no transfer will be available. All players will be signed-off from team coaches, before leaving with parent/guardian. If your child will be lift-sharing with another parent/guardian, we must have this in writing prior to departure. Baggage: Each passenger is allowed only one piece of hand baggage on-board. The easyJet hand luggage size is 56 x 45 x 25 cm including the wheels and any handles. There is no weight limit on cabin baggage. Purses, briefcases, and laptop cases are also considered one piece of luggage, so they will need to be stored inside the main piece of hand luggage. Liquids: • The liquid must be in a container that has a volume no larger than 100ml. • Larger containers are not permitted even if they are nearly empty. • All liquid containers must be stored in a 1 litre size transparent plastic bag. • The bag must be able to zip shut and can not exceed 20 x 20 cm. • All liquids must be presented at the security check at the airport. • You can bring a maximum of ten 100ml containers. DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT!

Clothing

We will provide you with your personalised playing kit and shooting shirt (number on shirt, name and number on shooting shirt). We will also provide you with tour travel clothing, consisting of shorts and t-shirt. The following are highly-recommended items that you should bring with you: • Casual clothing • Underwear • Pyjamas • Basketball shoes for on-court • Trainers for off-court • Plain white sports socks - 12 pairs • Toiletries (liquids’ rule of 100ml applies here) • Sun screen lotion (100ml only or buy in the airport’s duty free) • Swimming shorts • Beach towel • Sun hat Itinerary

Through our experience over the past four years, using a variety of different schedules, we have adjusted the training type and duration to achieve maximum performance from our players. For the Portugal 2018 tour, the planned schedule will incorporate a number of different areas including: • Team-training sessions • Skill-development session • Strength and conditioning • Foreign coaching clinics • Position-specifc sessions • Physiotherapist-led injury prevention sessions

All of the above are to be delivered in the mornings within a four-hour session with breaks/snacks provided. The planned schedule is aimed at encouraging more ‘down time’ during the day, sleep if needed and rest with feet up. We will also use this time to have an enjoyable sit-down buffet lunch, as well taking advantage of the beautiful hotel swimming pool (where we will also conduct recovery sessions).

All games will be in the evenings, on basketball days and teams will rotate early and late tips. Buffet dinner will then be provided post game.

SCHEDULE Mon 27 Aug Tue 28 Aug Wed 29 Aug Thu 30 Aug Fri 31 Aug Sat 1 Sep MORNING Depart/ Flight Team Practice/ Team Practice/ Rest Team Practice/ Depart/ Coaching Clinic Coaching Clinic Coaching Clinic Flight/Arrive AFTERNOON Arrive/Transfer Pool/Rest Pool/Rest Beach Pool/Rest EVENING Dinner/Tour Game 1/Dinner Game 2/Dinner Dinner Game 3/Dinner Welcome Staff

The most essential part of the tour is having experienced, knowledgeable coaches who are committed to giving every tour member the best experience possible.

We are very fortunate in having such a fantastic team who go above and beyond to welcome participants with open arms, and assist in creating life-long memories for all.

Please see the familiar faces below:

Josh Merrington - Tour Director Josh is head coach of Sun Live Basketball Academy in Portugal and will, for the frst time, give us a local expert from the U.K! Josh’s resume, success and reputation will put a very special touch into this year’s tour and give us the leadership needed for another life-changing experience.

Mark Strickland - Supporting Director Mark has played a huge role in the growth of the Russell Hoops’ Tours with over three years experience. He will be a vital part of the team and all off-court operations. He is very passionate about exposing players to foreign environments and developing fundamental life-skills through challenges and adversity

Graham Hiscock - Supporting Director Coach Hiscock has been around the England Basketball scene for over 25 years. Graham is responsible for the daily assistance for Russell Hoops, including scheduling, parent liaison, the schools community programme, equipment and event planning. Graham will be returning for his second year as a tour director for Russell Hoops but using his years of experience to play a key-role in managing staff and players throughout the trip.

Sara Clarke - Tour Mum Sara Clarke will be retuning for her second year as ‘Tour Mum’. Known for her caring and approachable personality, all the boys will be in great hands and made to feel home from home.

PJ Russell, U14 Development PJ will enter his fourth year travelling with our tour teams, and take a head coach position as the U14 Development coach. A position he will thrive in, through his community work as Russell Hoops Head Coach for that age group.

Jack Burnell, U14 Elite Returning for his second year, Jack will move up to coach the U14 Elite Team which, through his county and regional experience, puts him as the best man for the job! Jack will work with the majority of this group’s tour players on a weekly basis through RH Academy, giving them an edge in preparation for next year!

Emma Moatt, U15s Ex-England and GB Womens’ Player and current Head Coach For East Herts Royals’ U16 National League Team. Emma will use her experience both as coach and a player to lead a strong U15 team. Emma is entering her fourth year as a Russell Hoops Tour coach and knows exactly how to get the best of her players.

Billy Beddow, U16s Billy Beddow will be returning for his second year with Russell Hoops, both as basketball director and U16 Head Coach. Billy’s rapport with the players and ability to motivate and challenge his players will serve as a huge bonus for the U16’s. With a huge amount of experience coaching at all levels in the U.K, Billy will be of great resource to the entire Russell Hoops’ group. Arrangements

Insurance and Passport: Please make sure your passport is up to date! We also request that you take your European Health Insurance Card with you. We will provide suffcient insurance to cover the tour dates, i.e. 27th August to 1st September 2018. A copy of the insurance policy can be sent to you upon request. Again, please read through carefully. However, should you feel this cover is inadequate, we ask that you arrange your own preferred increased cover and advise us accordingly. Food and Pocket Money: Bottled water will be available at all times. A breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided but in- between meal snacks, fzzy drinks, ice creams etc. are to be at your own expense. We would suggest no more than €70 pocket money to be taken, this will be ample. Tour Meeting: For those players that commit to this tour, we will have a parent/guardian pre-tour meeting and will inform you of the date in due course. Next Steps: You can register on-line if you wish to sign up for this tour. Please note that registration and a non- refundable deposit of £200 is due and payable no later than 31st October 2017. Payment: The cost of the trip (fully-inclusive) is £850.00 and will be divided into three instalments as follows: 1. A non-refundable deposit to be paid on-line no later than 31st October 2017 in the sum of £200.00; 2. The second payment to be received no later than 31st January 2018 in the sum of £325.00; and 3. The last payment to be received no later than 31st March 2018 in the sum of £325.00. Please make cheques payable to “Hoops World Tours Limited”, or you may pay by bank transfer to: HSBC | HOOPS WORLD TOURS LTD Sort Code: 40 24 13 Account no: 01655272 For any questions or queries on the Portugal Tour 2018, please contact tour director Ben Russell at [email protected] | 02081443476.