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 Odense, 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 Copenhagen, 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 Odense Zoo 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.