2019 ABTA International Cup and Grand Prix Tour Information, Procedures and Rules Limoges, France

Transcription

1 2019 ABTA International Cup and Grand Prix Tour Information, Procedures and Rules Limoges, France Tour Officials ABTA President Ainslie Hunt M: ABTA Technical Advisor Sonia Johnson M: ABTA Vice-President Special Projects Catherine Pelle M: ABTA Secretary Joanne LeMiere M: Twirling Australia 2019 ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

2 ABTA TOUR PACKAGE INFORMATION, PROCEDURES & RULES GENERAL INFORMATION Participation in this event is an exhilarating experience, whether you travel as an athlete, coach, official, parent and/or spectator. To help you prepare for ABTA International Cup Trial Process and possible selection, we are providing you with the following information booklet. It is recommended that all Squad members have a primary coach in attendance at the Championships. This primary coach must travel on the ABTA Tour Package and becomes the responsible party for said athlete, if no other responsible adult attends. The ABTA will appoint an Official ABTA Squad Chaperone. All athletes, primary coaches, responsible persons are required to purchase the ABTA Tour Package. ABTA IC SQUAD MEETING An ABTA IC Squad meeting will take place after the selection of the IC Squad. All persons planning to travel to the Championships must attend. At this meeting, we will go over all necessary information for booking your trip. TOUR PACKAGE INFORMATION All ABTA Representative athletes, coaches, responsible adults and officials are required to purchase the ABTA Tour package. The package will include accommodation and depending on the size of the group may also include airfares. The ABTA Tour Package includes accommodation, training venues, official tracksuit, entry fees, ticketing, program and t-shirt. The ABTA do reserve the right to make adjustments to tour packages throughout the year when deemed necessary. Costing for the 2019 ABTA IC Tour is not available at this stage. LOCATION Limoges is a beautiful city in the midwest of France. It is known for its decorative porcelain. Limoges has over 2,000 years of history and is accessible by plane, train or car ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

3 2 ACCOMMODATION The ABTA will source the best accommodation for the Squad. All athletes under the age of 18 are required to share a room with a parent or guardian. Coaches can not room share with athletes. Athletes can not share a room with a friend, partner or spouse. COMMUNICATION Our main source of communication with you over the next several months is through . Our list for you is generated from the information you have supplied to the ABTA Technical Advisor through your registration to trial. All communication will be directed to the athlete, coach or family member so if there is ever an update or change to this address, please contact the ABTA Secretary to update your information. All tour and team related documents, as well as communication, will always be sent to your address. COMPETITION DATES The 10 th WBTF International Cup and 3rd IBTF Grand Prix will be held in LImoges, France from 4th - 11th August PROPOSED SCHEDULE 2019 WBTF INTERNATIONAL CUP / IBTF GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE (subject to change) Sunday 4th August Monday 5th August Tuesday 6th August International Cup Opening Ceremony B & A Solo Preliminaries B & A Two Baton Preliminaries B & A Three Baton Preliminaries B & A Artistic Twirl Preliminaries B & A Artistic Pair Preliminaries B & A Team Preliminaries Group Preliminaries ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

4 3 Wednesday 7th August Thursday 8th August B & A Solo Semi Finals B & A Two Baton Semi Finals B & A Three Baton Semi Finals B & A Artistic Twirl Semi Finals B & A Solo Finals B & A Two Baton Finals B & A Three Baton Finals B & A Artistic Twirl Finals B & A Artistic Pair Finals B & A Team Finals Group Finals International Cup Award & Closing Ceremony IBTF Grand Prix Opening Ceremony IBTF GRAND PRIX Friday 9th August Saturday 10th August Majorette Disciplines Duet Preliminaries Elite Team Preliminaries Elite Solo Preliminaries Elite Two Baton Preliminaries Elite Solo Preliminaries Elite Two Baton Preliminaries Elite Team, Solo, 2 Baton Semi Finals Sunday 11th August Duet Finals Elite Two Baton Finals Elite Solo Finals Elite Team Finals Grand Prix Award Ceremonies Grand Prix Closing Ceremonies ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

5 4 THE VENUE The IC and Grand Prix will be held at the Zenith Limoges Metropole. Height is 15 metres and has a seating capacity of FINANCIAL INFORMATION All athletes will pay a deposit as part of the ABTA International Cup Trial process. All coaches and family members wanting to travel with ABTA International Cup Squad are also required to pay a deposit by Nov 1st Refunds will only be made if the athlete is not selected. There are no refunds on canceled tour packages after the 1st November Due to the ABTA s no refund policy, the ABTA strongly recommends that you purchase Travel Insurance on behalf of yourself, and other family members. TRAVEL INSURANCE INFORMATION Your ABTA Tour package does not included Travel Insurance. All athletes, coaches and officials are required to take out comprehensive Travel Insurance. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND DEADLINES Documents listed below should be submitted by deadline date. Health certificates and airline confirmations will be submitted to the ABTA Secretary ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

6 5 Required Documents Athlete Coach Spectator Officials Due November 1st 2018 ABTA Athlete, Coaches or Officials Contract x x - x Send to ABTA Secretary ABTA Tour Package Deposit - x x x Badge Photo x x x x Payable to ABTA Treasurer. Participants will be invoiced. Send to ABTA Secretary WBTF Athlete s Standards of Ethics & Consent Form x These must be completed online through the WBTF website. WBTF Waiver of Liability Form x x x x Go to WBTF website Library - Forms WBTF Participant Media Release Form Due April 1 st 2019 x When you have completed forms, please inform the ABTA Secretary. Copy of Passport x x x x Send to ABTA Secretary Due June 1 st 2019 Copy of flight schedule x x x x Health Certificate x Send to ABTA Secretary Send to ABTA Secretary ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

7 6 ATHLETE EXPECTATIONS All athletes under 18 on the ABTA Tour are to have a Responsible Person travel with them. All athletes are under the supervision and guidance of their Responsible Person with consideration to the Code of Conduct. The ABTA Athlete Contract is attached to this document and must be signed and returned to the ABTA Secretary. CODE OF CONDUCT The Australian Baton Twirling Association has established the following guidelines as the Code of Conduct for all athletes participating in the International Championships. Major Offenses ALCOHOL & DRUG: Possession of, use of, under the Influence of alcoholic beverages, narcotics and/ or drugs. WEAPONS: Possessing, using, threatening to use, or transferring any weapon capable of inflicting harm or considered dangerous and/or illegal. TOBACCO: Possession or use of tobacco in any form is prohibited. FLAGRANT VIOLATIONS OF POLICIES (listed below) Major offenses will be dealt with by the ABTA President. ABTA CODE OF CONDUCT POLICIES It is very important that we all demonstrate habits of personal behavior, which will enable us to represent the Australian Baton Twirling Association and this activity in a manner, which will merit the respect of the World Baton Twirling Federation and fellow athletes. These policies have been mutually established for your own welfare and the good of your fellow athletes. Using common sense will avoid all problems with this document. It is the policy of ABTA that anyone traveling on the ABTA Tour will sign an agreement adhering to the Code of Conduct. Chaperones : Athletes under the age of 18 are to be chaperoned at all times by his/her appointed guardian, coach or parent. Curfew : Curfews will be established on site with regards to hotel, competition and ABTA policies and procedures. Tardiness will not be accepted ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

8 7 Profanity : Profanity or obscenity of any kind will not be tolerated. Insubordination : Insubordination of any kind to coaches, ABTA Squad officials and/or WBTF officials will not be tolerated. Athlete's Attire : Most of the trip athletes are to use their own discretion in attire. There will be times, however, when the team will be asked to dress a certain way. The WBTF host country usually holds an Athlete s Welcome Party and athletes will need appropriate attire for this occasion. Dress for comfort on the airplane. Pack your ABTA tracksuit, compulsory leotard, costume and shoes in your carry-on bag you will have on the plane in case of the loss of your luggage. Most of the other times on this trip, you will be in practice clothing. Your Official ABTA Warm-up T-shirt will be required at: Training sessions Music tests Opening ceremonies Closing ceremonies Other times, as requested. ARRIVING IN THE HOST COUNTRY When you arrive in the Host Country it is important to locate the ABTA Squad Manager and/or ABTA Chaperone and inform them of your arrival. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Sometime after arrival in the host country, the ABTA hosts a Welcome Party for everyone on the ABTA Tour. This is usually a gathering at our hotel and fairly casual. It is an opportunity to start building team spirit and to get to know others on the tour ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

9 8 HOST COUNTRY WELCOME PARTY Before the start of the competition, the host country usually hosts a Welcome Party for every country's delegation. This is a fun time for athletes to meet each other and renew old friendships. Traditionally, this is also the time when some of the countries start to exchange small items of good luck or souvenirs of their country. Athletes should plan on bringing small items to exchange (pins, postcards of their state, trinkets) with other teams throughout the competition. ABTA CLOSING PARTY Usually at the completion of the competition all tour participants are invited to recognise our team and participation in the International Cup Championships by attending a Squad celebration dinner. This celebration will either follow the competition day on the Saturday or the Closing Ceremonies. SPECTATORS One of the most exciting roles to have on the ABTA Tour is as a parent or supporter. Unlike the athlete, coaches and officials, you are free to enjoy the sites and surroundings of the host country. In addition, during the competition, you can enjoy the true spirit of international sport with colours flying, flags waving and fans yelling. You have a terrific vantage point from which to view the activities. From Opening Ceremonies to Closing, you will be part of the proud Australian fan club. During the days preceding the competition, you will be able to visit and tour at your leisure. The information board in the hotel lobby will keep you informed of the team's activities and events included for everyone. During the competition, gather as a group, sit together in the stands, be a united front for Team Australia. T ICKETS FOR COMPETITION Tickets for all spectators who are part of the ABTA Tour Package are included in the ABTA Tour Package. If you are not traveling as part of the Squad you will be required to purchase your own tickets through the coordinating host country ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

10 9 TRIP RESPONSIBILITIES The trip to the International Cup Championships for officials is not leisurely or full of sightseeing until the competition is done. Most officials on the trip have the responsibility of being in meetings or the practice arena and stay very busy until after Closing Ceremonies. The responsibilities of officials range from judging or coaching to administering the actual Squad or Competition. Officials may use their leadership abilities to boost team spirit and camaraderie while supporting the philosophies of ABTA Baton Twirling Association and the WBTF. Each official's responsibility is more defined by, but not limited to, his/her job description. Many of the ABTA Officials are volunteers and are not paid to complete these duties. Please be mindful of your interactions and when issues or problems arise. TRAVEL INFORMATION If this is your first international trip, some of the following information should better prepare you to enjoy the experience. The most important travel tips that will help you travel with a large group of people are: Be flexible Be prepared for differences...sometimes LOTS of them! The ABTA works for the benefit of all members. Rules and procedures are in place for a reason and are there to protect all members. ABOUT FRANCE Currency: Euro To better judge the amount of money you will need on your trip, find out the exchange rate prior to your departure. This can easily be checked daily on the Internet at a number of sites [ Plan on taking a pre paid credit/debit card or making credit card charge purchases (exchange rates are usually better with this form of payment). You may change some money at the airport of international departure so that you have currency when you land or you may change some currency/money at your airport of arrival. Investigate the currency exchange rate and the associated exchange fees so that you know where the better rates will be. Also ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

11 10 affecting your currency exchange will be the day of the week you arrive. The banks are not open on the weekends and you need to be prepared for any money you may need. Travelers are prey to pickpockets and thieves in many areas of the world. Most hotels have safety deposit boxes available for guests. Putting airline tickets, passports and money in those boxes is usually the best method for safekeeping. Passports Keep copies of the passport card or photo ID page of your passport in different places in your luggage. In case of the loss of your passport, this copy could get you home. The ABTA Chaperone will tell athletes when he/she will need their passports. Always be safe and careful with your passport. Having it lost or stolen means a long process at the Embassy to get you home. A copy of your passport is to be sent to the ABTA Secretary for ALL participants. See required documents deadline dates. Athlete s passports cannot expire prior to September 1st in the year of the championships. Adapters & Converters Foreign countries have different voltage and plugs. An adapter/converter kits are available at most hardware, department and office supply stores. These kits allow you to use your electrical appliances in different plugs at different voltages. It is also possible to purchase dual voltage appliances but you will still need plug adapters. Jet Lag As you fly to another country, you will experience a large time change. Though there are several do-it-yourself remedies for dealing with jet lag, the best method is to get on your new time zone schedule as quickly as possible. This usually means resting on the airplane, avoid napping when you arrive, and stay up until your new nighttime and get a good night's sleep. Native Language: French Making an effort to communicate in the host country's language is usually appreciated. Don't assume that everyone speaks English. Purchase a language dictionary or app to carry with you to help in ordering food, communicating with service people and getting along in the host country. Familiarise yourself with everyday, necessary terms like: "restaurant, toilet, please, thank you, where is..., and excuse me". Always be prepared to function by yourself, if you ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018

12 11 need to, and never be afraid to ask a question. Carry a hotel business card with you for communicating with taxi or bus drivers about where you're staying. QUESTIONS If you have any questions regarding the upcoming WBTF International Cup and IBTF Grand Prix, please do not hesitate to contact the ABTA for further information ABTA IC and Grand Prix Tour - June 2018