'I of American Sports Groups and Teams Participating in International

'I DOCUMENT RESUME 4 ET 117 082 SP 009 779 TITLE Leading a Successful International Sports Tour. Handbook-for Leaders, Coaches and Managers of American Sports Groups and Teams Participating in International Athletic Exchanges. - INSTITUTION Department of State,'Washington, D.C. NQTE. 144p. AVAILABLE FROM Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 (Stock No. 044-000-01591-9, $2.40) EDRS PRICE MF-$0.76 HC-$6,97 Plus Postage DESCRIPTORS Athletic Coaches; *Athletic Programs; *Athletics; *Foreign Countries; Foreign Relations; Guides; *Travel IDENTIFIERS *United States I ABSTRACT This is a handbook for leaders, coaches, and tanagers of American sports groups and teams participating in international athletic exchanges. Chapter olte peesents information on financing international sports tours. Chapter two covers the basic preparations necessary prior to go/l.ng abroad. It includes information on tickets, passports, visas, immunizations, health measures, money, insurance, customs, mail, clothing and equipment, gifts, and packing and freight. It also discusses whether an advance man acid interpreters are needed. Chapter three suggests some guidelines on the "mental preparations fora tour and includes some ideas on what an American should kna, about his/her own country in contacts with foreign - nationals. rsonal conduct on and off the field ofAompetition is discussed in chapter four, and ways to generate goo "`publicity are suggested in chapter five. Chapter six offers suggestionS for coping with the minutiae of group travel overseas. Chapter seven contains a number of approaches and procedures that experienced coaches and leaders have found to be helpful in order to lead a successful tour. Chapter eighesuggests some ways to prepare for the return trip home and adds some thoughts on followup actions after the return home, The interest of U.S. Government Agencies in tours abroad by American sports groups and how U.S. Foreign ServiSe posts can be of assistance are explained in chapter nine. Appended are 25 forms and documents. (RC) ************************46**********************************************, Documents acquired by ERIC include Many infOrmal unpublished * materials not available from other sources. EPIC makes every effort * * to obtain the best copy available. NevertheleSs, items of marginal * * resproducibility are often \encountered and this affects the quality * * of the microfiche and hardcopy reproductions EPIC makes available * * via the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS). EDRS is not * responsible for the quality of the original document. Reproductions * * supplied by EDRS are the best that an be made from the original. *- ********************************.************************************** - Ve. I ti Leading ASuccessful International SportsTour HANDBOOK FOR COACHES, MANAGERS AND LEADERS OF AMERICAN SPORTS id ROOS AND TEAMS WHO GO ON COMPETITIVE OR INSTRUCTIONAL TOURS ABROAD e., .11111111. Understanding Through Sports U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCAT4ON WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO- , DUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM TurpERSoN OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN- ATING IT POINTS Of VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED OT NECESSARILY REPRE- SEN.' OF Q L NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDLTCATi OSITION OR POLICY 44) r-\ LEADING A SUCCESSFUL, INTERNATIONAL SPORTS TOUR HANDBOOK FOR LEADERS, COACHES AND MANAGERS OF AMERICAN SPORTS GROUPS AND TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN INTERNATIONAL ATHLETICEXCHANGES For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402Price $2.40 Stock Number 044-000-01591-9 CONTENTS Page V troduction 5 A View from the Field Chapter I: FINANCING INTERNATIONAL SPORTS TOURS 1 Chapter II: BASIC PRE RATIONS 11 . 4, Chapter III: MENTAL P RATIONS 25 Chapter IV: TEAM AND IVIDUAL CONDUCT 34, Chapter V: PUBLICITY 42 --N Chapter VI: TRAVEL 48 Chapter VII: ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION 55 Chapter VIII: RETURN HOME AND AFTER 64 Chapter IX: US GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 69 Postscript 78 Bibliography 80 Appendices 82 Index 137 INTRODUCTION .4. Americans are participating moreth&A ever before in international sports activities Each year thousands of athletes, coaches,,and administratorsfrom hundreds of United States sports\organizations andeducational insti- tutions engage in competitions,workshops, clinics, exhibitions, demonstrations, andconferences with their counterpay_ts of other nations. Xhe face-to-face encounters influence the'ways in which peopilbs pprceive andunderstand each other. As with other areas ofpeople-to-people commu- nication, theyfa.tfecythe climate forinternational cooperation. The Department of State encouragesconstructive international sports activities. In other societies they can pave the way for expandedcultural, economic,, and political contact. They, can exemplify friendly,give-and-take, two-way interchange in whichthere is equality of participation._Sports interchange can help enhancethe appre- ciation of another people's values andculture, so important but often absent in international cooperation. 41) For these reasons, it is in theinterest of the United States Government, as well as of the groupsinvolved, that international sports activities providepositive experiences a for all concerned. We have been pleased to help sponsor and to cooperate 'in the preparationof this manual, °Leading a Successful International SportsTour," because we believe it will helpfurther this objective. We are grateful to the many United States sportsorganization leaders and others who providedideas and suggestions. To the extent this manualcontributes to more effective, better-managed, and more'satisfyingathletic programs abroad, it will also enhance internationalmutual understanding. John Richardson, Jr. Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs A VIEW FROM THE FIELD As one who has long been involvedwith international sports activities, both as Olympic athleteand as a US Infor-' nation Service officer withmany years experience overseas, I heartily applaud the publicationof this handbook supporting American sports tours abroad. I have been delighted and encouraged, furthermore, by.the increasingnumber of ex- hibition, clinic'and workshopteaching tours by American coaches and athletes-who are willingto share their experience and know-how with the peoples of thedeveloping countries of the world. In Africa, I haveseen for myself the benefits of international sports activitiesto peoples who are i'r1reasingly accepting sports and physicaleducation as important elements in the development of theiryouth and in furthering international mutual understanding. Today, many leadersare calling upon friendly nationstoaid them in expanding their national sportsprograms by providing professional and technical assistanceas well as educational and training materials.' 41eAmerican contributiori to sportsplanning and development in many countries is variedand effective. The backbone of its support comes from Americancorporations, universities, foundations; sports groups andother privately sponsored sources. The Department of State, theUS Information Agency and the Peace Corps all welcomethese private efforts. The continuing success of theseprograms helps foster better understandingamong men of all nations. Sports are a universal language understoodeverywhere. Let's hear more of it! Mal Whitfield* Regional Youth and Sports Officer US Information, S rra Leone Freetown, Sierraeone rFormer Olympic Athlete andMember of the US Trac and /Field Hall ofFame, who has served in Africafo 20 years with the US Foreign Service. E; vi. CHAPTER I C FINANCING INTERNATIONAL SPORTSTOUR1 Today, soaring transportation costsand inflation have become serious matters for everyonegoing abroad. There is no hing more embarrassingfor a sports tour than to get st anded abroad because'ofpbor planning and unanticipated Deal only ex enses. Don't let this happen to yourgroup: with established airlines and travelagencies and work with experienced national sports organizations. In some instances, there are safeguardsto ensure adequate financirig. For example, the by-laws of theNational Collegiate Athletic Association require members tonotify the parent organization of the proposed tour and topresent evidence of satisfactory financial arrangements (seeAppendix I). If, despite your careful planning, yourgroup does run out of money overseas,American consular officers are in a position to help you communicate with yourfamily, relatives, friends or parent organization to obtainfundS, but that is all they are authorized to so (see page41). So it is well to have in mind someone you can depend onto backstop you finan- cially if the need should arise while you areabroad. This chapter suggests somepractical apprqaches to fund- ing international athletic tours. / cp 1. Determine Overall Cost First You should estimate theapproximateoveralj cost of your tour before you decide how toraise the money. Airlines, travel agencies and patentnational and international sports organizations can 1elp you arrive at areasonably accurate cost estimate that includesinternational travel, in-country transportation and daily living expenses. In checking out your air travel costs,be sure to inquire about the possibility of your groupqualifying for various promotional fares (excursion, youth,"tour basing" and free flight, ask a stopovers). If you are interested in a charter reputable travel agent about theavailability of one that will meet your requirements. 2. When Reserves Are Needed If the

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