Invitation from Denmark:

International WATER POLO TOURNAMENT

Dear Players, Coaches, Referees, and Families,

It is with great pleasure we invite all young people with a special interest in Water Polo to participate in this very first staging of the “Hans Christian Andersen City Games”, a major sporting event featuring a Water Polo tournament. The Games are planned to be a recurring event, taking place in , Denmark, at the beginning of July each year, with Water Polo as one of the 17 sports to be represented.

Our Water Polo tournament is an open competition that provides the opportunity to participate as club teams, city teams or national teams. The aim and purpose of the “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” is to enable young athletes from all over the world to gather together, have fun, and learn from each other.

The organisers The “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” are organised in collaboration with O.S.L.F. – Odense Swimming and Lifeguard Association.

Date of Event 7th – 13th July, 2012.

Location The “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” are held in Odense, the third largest city in Denmark, just 2.5 hours by car from Hamburg (Germany), 1.5 hours by car or train from , and 1 hour by car from Billund International Airport.

The O.S.L.F. has hosted qualifying rounds for the U17 European Championship in 2011 and has also organised and hosted other international tournaments.

THE WATER POLO TOURNAMENT Competitions will be held for the following groups:

Age group U15 boys (girls allowed) (born in 1997 or younger) U13 boys (girls allowed) (born in 1999 or younger) U17 boys (born in 1995 or younger)

The field for U17 & U15 teams measures 30 m x 22.5 m. The field for U13 teams measures 22.5 x 18 m.

A maximum of eight participating teams per age group is set. All teams will compete in placement matches on Thursday 12 th July. All teams are guaranteed a minimum of 5 matches. All participating teams are kindly asked to bring a referee.

Rules The international rules of FINA will be applied, however with the right to change the game time for the youngest team players, depending on the number of participants.

Prizes Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the top three teams in each series. In addition there will be a commemorative gift for all participants.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM Saturday 7th July All day: Arrival, accommodation and training.

Sunday 8th July All day: Arrival and accommodation 7.00 am-9.00 am: Breakfast 10.00 am Technical meeting 11.00 am-3.00 pm: Tournament 12.00 pm-2.00 pm: Lunch packets are handed out 5.00 pm-6.30 pm: Parade Venue, dinner/sandwich 6.30 pm-7.00 pm: Parade 7.00 pm-8.30 pm: Opening Ceremony

Monday 9th July 7.00 am-9.00 am: Breakfast 8.00 am-5.00 pm: Tournament 12.00 pm-2.00 pm: Lunch packets are handed out 5.00 pm-7.00 pm: Dinner 7.30 pm-9.30 pm: Garden Party in

Tuesday 10th July 7.00 am-9.00 am: Breakfast 8.00 am-5.00 pm: Tournament 12.00 pm-2.00 pm: Lunch packets are handed out 5.00 pm-7.00 pm: Dinner 7.30 pm-9.30 pm: Open Air Concert

Wednesday 11th July 7.00 am-9.00 am: Breakfast 8.00 am-2.00 pm: Tournament 12.00 pm-2.00 pm: Lunch packets are handed out 3.00 pm-5.00 pm: HCA Workshop - try a new sport 5.00 pm-7.00 pm: Dinner 7.00 pm-9.00 pm: HCA Workshop - try a new sport

Thursday 12th July 7.00 am-9.00 am: Breakfast 9.00 am-4.00 pm Tournament (Finals) 12.00 pm-2.00 pm: Lunch packets are handed out 4.00 pm: Medal ceremony 5.00 pm-7.00 pm: Dinner 7.00 pm-8.30 pm: Closing Ceremony 8.30 pm-10.00 pm: Farewell Party

Friday 13th July 7.00 am-9.00 am: Breakfast Return

REGISTRATION Registration is open from 1 st November, 2011. All registrations and payment transactions are to be made via our website www.hcacitygames.com.

Team Fee The fee for each participating team is 1,000 kr. (approx. 134 €) + a separate fee for every participant (please see below). Club Referees, who control matches for more than one day, will receive the package free of charge.

Participation Fee Participants in the “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” may choose from three different packages, depending on accommodation and catering preferences.

Package 3: 1,525 kr (approx. 204 €) per participant Participation in the “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” Water Polo tournament Lodging at a local school (please bring your own mattress, sleeping bag etc.) Breakfast Sunday - Friday Lunch Sunday - Thursday Dinner Sunday - Thursday Participation in the Parade and Opening Ceremony Participation in the Garden Party in Odense Zoo Participation in the Open Air Concert Participation in the HCA Workshop - try a new sport Participation in the Closing Ceremony and Farewell Party Free local buses in Odense and special transport to and from the above evening events.

Package 2: 1,150 kr. (approx. 154 €) per participant Participation in the “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” Water Polo tournament Lunch Sunday - Thursday Dinner Sunday - Thursday Participation in the Parade and Opening Ceremony Participation in the Garden Party in Odense Zoo Participation in the Open Air Concert Participation in the HCA Workshop - try a new sport Participation in the Closing Ceremony and Farewell Party Free local buses in Odense and special transport to and from the above evening events.

Package 1: 550 kr. (approx. 74 €) per participant Participation in the “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” Water Polo tournament Lunch Sunday - Thursday Participation in the Parade and Opening Ceremony Participation in the Garden Party in Odense Zoo Participation in the Open Air Concert Participation in the HCA Workshop - try a new sport Participation in the Closing Ceremony and Farewell Party Free local buses in Odense and special transport to and from the above evening events.

ACCOMMODATION For participants choosing Package 3 , the accommodation available during the event will be at one of 12 local schools. At least one leader of each team should be present at the accommodation premises. Companions are offered accommodation at one of the hotels mentioned below or at the campsite which has been built especially for the occasion. Participants may also choose to be accommodated with their companions and thus join Package 2 or Package 1 .

School accommodation We can offer accommodation at one of 12 schools in and around the city of Odense. Most of them are located in the south-western part of Odense, close to the highway. All schools are situated close to our sport areas and with generally good bus connections to the city and to the many events we offer throughout the week. Each school has a capacity of between 200 and 600 participants, and breakfast is served on the premises. Remember to bring your own sleeping bag and air mattress/sleeping pad. The school accommodation is for participants only, with companions referred to accommodation in hotels in Odense or the specially designed HCA campsite at Højstrup Øvelsesplads (please see below). Registration: Package 3

Hotel accommodation We offer hotels in all categories, with prices typically 10-25% below normal price, and all prices include breakfast. Accommodation at these hotels can be combined with Package 1 and Package 2 .

Cat. A+ Cat. A+ Cat. A Type of Odense Hotel Hotel room Congress Center Plaza Scandic Single 775 kr/105 € 845 kr/113 € 640 kr/86 € Double 1000 kr/134 € 1000 kr/134 € 790 kr/108 € 3-bed 1250 kr/168 € 1245 kr/168 € 1015 kr/138 € Cat. B+ Cat. B+ Cat. B Cat. B Type of Hotel Hotel Hotel Danhostel room Ansgar Windsor Cabinn Single 645 kr/86 € 645 kr/86 € 575 kr/77 € 535 kr/72 € Double 795 kr/108 € 795 kr/108 € *815 kr/110 € 770 kr/104 € 3-bed 925 kr/126 € 925 kr/126 € 840 kr/113 € 860 kr/115 € * also offers a standard double room at 715 kr/96 €

The Odense Congress Center and Hotel Scandic are located near the highway, while the other hotels are located in the centre of Odense. There are good bus connections from all the hotels.

The HCA campsite The campsite is close to Odense Stadium, in the scenic area at Højstrup Øvelsesplads, where you can bring your own tent or caravan (however, no electrical connection is available). The campsite offers a nice area to stay with good facilities. This type of accommodation can be combined with Package 1 and Package 2 . Price per day: 50 kr. (approx. 7 €) per person + a lump sum of 50 kr. MEALS Package 1 : Lunch 5 days (Sunday - Thursday)

Package 2 : Lunch 5 days (Sunday - Thursday) Dinner 5 days (Sunday - Thursday)

Package 3 : Breakfast 6 days (Sunday - Friday) Lunch 5 days (Sunday - Thursday) Dinner 5 days (Sunday - Thursday)

Breakfast Breakfast is served at each school every morning from 7.00 am. On offer is virtually everything that forms part of a hearty and delicious breakfast, including bread, cheese, jam, fruit juice, milk, oatmeal, cornflakes etc. The first breakfast is served on Sunday and the last one on Friday.

Lunch Every day a packed lunch, incl. a drink and 1 piece of fruit, is handed out and helps ensure a healthy and balanced diet. The first packed lunch is provided on Sunday and the last one on Thursday.

Dinner In Odense Sports Park (Skating Rink no. 2) all participants in the “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” will meet every night to enjoy their dinner together. The dinner will consist of a hot dish and 1 piece of fruit. The first meal is served on Sunday and the last one on Thursday.

TRANSPORTATION Upon arrival, we offer participants free transportation from Odense train station to the school at which accommodation has been provided. On departure, free transportation will be offered from the school to the train station.

Transportation to and from airports can be arranged at additional cost.

Throughout the week participants are free to use the public transport system in Odense, and participants will be provided with an ID card that gives access to free bus transportation within the city ring.

MISCELLANEOUS Other participants The “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” are a major sporting event that comprises 17 different competitions. During the week you will meet athletes from the following sports:

Athletics • Badminton • Beach volleyball • Football • Fencing • Golf Gymnastics • Handball • Minigolf • Shooting • Squash • Team Gym • Tennis Trampoline • Tumbling • Volleyball • Water Polo

HCA Evening Events Every night the “Hans Christian Andersen City Games” have arranged special events for all participants: Opening Ceremony, Garden Party in Odense Zoo, HCA Workshop - try a new sport, Closing Ceremony, and a Farewell Party. Please find more information about the special events on the website of “Hans Christian Andersen City Games”.

Insurance Insurance is compulsory and the responsibility of each participant. “The Hans Christian Andersen City Games” cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever.

Visas For those of you who need a specified invitation to get a Visa for Denmark, please send us a list as soon as possible, stating full name, date of birth and passport numbers for all delegation members, to the e-mail or address given below.

Venue Odense Universitets Svømmehal (The indoor swimming pool of ) Campusvej 50, 5230 Odense M - Denmark

Websites www.hcacitygames.com www.oslf.dk

Questions Should you need any further information, please contact:

Chairman: Mr. Jimmy Andersen Cell phone: +45 23 30 98 88 Mail: [email protected]

Sincerely,

Odense Svømme- og Livredderforening