Tour Email #2
June 23, 2010
Planet Hockey Cup & Camp / Swedish Super Series '10
Gothenburg, Sweden
July 18-26, 2010
Dear TEAM Planet Hockey Player and Family,
We are all very excited about the upcoming Gothenburg, Sweden Planet Hockey Cup & Camp. Below is a great deal of information that will help you with your trip preparations.
FLIGHTS/TRAVEL PLANS - If you haven't already, please email your flight itinerary to karen@planethockey.com. Important travel information. more >>
Also, parents, if you haven't, please fill out your PARENT TOUR INFORMATION SURVEY – Gothenburg, Sweden
JERSEYS & SOCKS
Player jerseys and socks will be passed out on Day 1 in Sweden.
TOUR SCHEDULES
We are currently finalizing our final tour schedule. Once confirmed, we will email it to you.
HOTELS
All coaches, parents, family and Planet Hockey tour participants (excluding players) will stay at our partner hotel: Hotell Halland - Kungsbacka
PLANET HOCKEY CUP TOURNAMENT
- Each team is guaranteed a minimum of 5 games.
- Games will be 3 x 15 periods. As needed, there will be an ice 'cut' between the 2nd & 3rd periods
- This may change slightly to keep the tournament on schedule
SKILLS TRAINING/CAMP
Each Planet Hockey team will have multiple on ice training sessions with European teams and coaches. We also will train with the European teams off ice, including European pre-game warm-ups.
HOST FAMILY SWEDISH DINNER
This fun evening is hosted by your child's host family. They are excited to share their Swedish culture by preparing an authentic Swedish dinner for all Planet Hockey family members at their home. This includes Swedish food, games, wine, beer and more.
HOST FAMILY GIFTS
We encourage each family to bring a small gift for their child's housing family that is representitive of your city/state or region. Select gifts that are easy to travel with and gifts need not be expensive. Simple is good.
LISEBERG
All players and family members will visit Northern Europe's largest amusment park with over 4 million visitors every year. more >>
ELFSBORG FORTRESS - CASTLE DINNER
We will go by boat from Pier 5 (about 30 minutes) to this 15th century castle located just outside the Gothenburg Harbour. The colorful history of this castle includes being the backdrop of many battles and wars throughout the 16th century and being a prison island from 1800 to 1905. Today it is a popular tourist attraction. Once we arrive on the island, we will be greeted by a costumed representatives. more >>
GOTHIA CUP
The Gothia Cup is the world's largest youth soccer tournament and will be going on while we are in Gothenburg. Games will be played on soccer fields throughout Gothenburg involving more than 20,000 youth soccer players with teams from Brazil, Russia, Africa, throughout Europe and beyond. During this time, professional soccer teams such as IFK Gothenburg (2 time European Cup winner) will play against Chelsea FC from England and the UK Premiere Team at the Ullivi (55,000 seat soccer/concert stadium next to the Schandinavium).
DENMARK
Take a day trip, via ferry or highspeed boat, to the town of Fredrikshavn, Denmark. Here you can buy world famous schnapps, cheese, beer and crystal. This will be offered as an optional day trip.
GOLF
Golf will be an available 'optional' activity for adults. There are several world-class courses in the area including Hills Country Club (a European pro golf course).
PASSPORTS
No passport, no tour! All participants should look into travel advisories or possible additional paperwork/documents needed. Make sure your passport does not expire before September 1, 2009.
US Citizens: US Department of State website.
Canadian citizens: Foreign Affairs and International Trade - Canada
GENERAL GOTHENBURG INFORMATION
more >>
TEAM SPORTSWEAR
Team items available for purchase at the Rink in Kungsbacka include:
SUGGESTED LIST OF WHAT TO BRING
- Hockey Gear / Tape / Sticks /Extra skate laces / helmet screws, etc.
- Comfortable clothes / hiking/walking shoes (bring as little as possible). We are always on the move.
- Wrist-watch (stay on schedule)
- Back pack (Small Day Pack/Fanny Pack - handy for day trips, shopping, etc)
- Walkie-talkies and batteries (optional, but nice to have).
- Camera, Video Camera, Batteries, Film, Memory cards
- Comfortable casual clothes for dinners.
- Adaptors for all electronics (Swedish Voltage). Can be found at travel stores such as Radio Shack.
- Any medications & Medical documents
- Hearty/Adventuresome appetite
- Airline Tickets / Passport
- Bring small travel kit (tooth brush, etc.) on plane
TIP OF THE DAY
If you plan to send post cards home, print mailing labels at home for those you plan to send post cards to. Then all you have to do is stick and send. Don't forget to include "USA" or "Canada" on your mailing address spreadsheet.
DRESS CODE / ATTIRE
It is required of all Players and Family/Tour members that we represent TEAM Planet Hockey and your country with respect and sportsmanship. This includes the following Dress Codes:
GAMES - Players must look like a team while at the rink. Players should wear their jersey in and around the rink or you may wear a collared shirt or non-offensive t-shirt. TEAM Planet Hockey hats may be worn at anytime except during meals. Please look respectful at the rink. TEAM Planet Hockey hats are permitted at the rink.
DINNER - Casual
TOURING - Be comfortable! I suggest "layering" your clothes. Bring cameras, day packs (back packs), munchies, etc. No attire restrictions other than NO obscene or ragged attire. Use your judgment please. Wear comfortable, TEAM spirited clothes. Most days are long and action-packed, so dress/pack accordingly.
MEDICAL INFORMATION/HEALTH INSURANCE
Check your medical insurance and bring any necessary documentation. Make sure that your insurance policy covers you overseas. Frequently you need to add a 'travel binder' that insures you for your duration out of the country.
PLAYER PROOF OF INSURANCE
Each player needs to have a document that shows that you currently have medical insurance. This is requested by the Swedish Ice Hockey Federation of all players and may be required. Please photo copy a page or two that proves that your player is insured and have in your hockey bag. We have never been asked for these documents, but can be at anytime.
WAIVERS
Please fill out at Player Medical Consent Form and Participant Waiver and turn into your coach in Sweden.
TRADING/GIFTS
We recommend that each player bring a few small gifts/trading items to either give away or to trade with the European players. Don't go overboard, just bring a few simple gifts (pins, hats, t-shirts, jerseys, old jerseys, etc..). Often times your inteded trade turns into a 'give-away', yet other times you can trade for a unique gift (European hockey jersey, t-shirt, etc...). So, it's best to not expect an even trade.
PLEASE BE FLEXIBLE
We are going to a foreign country where the money, food, language and customs vary greatly from our own. Bring your sense of adventure, but understand that we all need to work together throughout the tour to ensure a great experience for all invovled. Also, everyone will have to stay close to their head coach as hour-by-hour information/schedules can and do change and will be passed on to each team by their head coach. We're all a team and together we will make this the best Tour possible.
TEAM CAPTAINS/MANAGERS
Prior to the first game, each team will select one Captain and 2 Assistant Captains. Also, each coach has the option to appoint a team manager(s) to help with game duties. Thank you for respecting the Planet Hockey policy of no parents on the bench.
TEAM RULES
Sportsmanship, teamwork, integrity and professionalism are expected. We do not anticipate any problems, however, unacceptable behavior and conduct will not be permitted and will be dealt with swiftly on an individual basis. You are part of TEAM Planet Hockey to compete, learn, to have the greatest experience possible and to ensure that your teammates and other tour members also maximize their experience overseas. Games: Equal ice time for players who give their team 100%. Your team deserves this. Winning is the combination of hard work and luck. We will work hard as a team. Anything less than a 100% effort & team attitude will not be accepted. Lines will be put together and experimented with throughout the tour in search of the best combinations. Captains and alternate captains will be determined by the team players prior to the first tournament game.
EXCHANGE MONEY
Currency calculators:
US Dollar to Kroner
Canadian Dollar to Kroner
We recommend that each person bring approximately $200-300 USD worth of Swedish Kronor (buy these from your bank prior to leaving or at the airport...bank rates are better). This way you have local currency when you arrive in Sweden and you will receive a bit better exchange and commission rate taking care of this at home. You can always exchange money for Kronor while in Sweden, but each time you exchange, you will pay their commission.
Most US/Canadian banks will sell you (they have to order them, so it can take a few weeks) Kronors and will likely offer a more competitive exchange rate and commission than European banks. There are banks within walking distance of our hotels, however, most are not open on weekends and have strange banking hours. Remember there is a fee assessed each time you exchange money (both to foreign currency and also back to your currency if you exchanged too much). Again, I feel that credit cards are the way to go.
CREDIT CARDS
I recommend that you put most purchases on your credit card and use your Kroners for smaller purchases. Although credit card companies now charge a small percentage for the convenience (and liability) of using your credit card overseas, you can rest assured that you receive the correct exchange rate at the time of your purchase. Many banks manipulate the exchange rate in their favor.
CELL PHONES
If you would like a cell phone while in Sweden, contact your local cell phone company to see what can be done with your current plan. It tends to be very expensive to bring your US phone over. We own international phones and simply purchase sim cards with minutes. This makes it relatively inexpensive for calls within Sweden. Calls back to North America are expensive on any cell phone.
SKYPE
We love Skype! www.skype.com
LONG DISTANCE CALLING FROM SWEDEN
Your best bet is to call your current (home) long distance phone company and tell them you will be in Europe this summer. Typically you pay $5 per month for their international calling plan, then you receive a 10 to 20 cent per minute rate...well worth it. Have them issue you a calling card and use that to call home from Sweden. When you return home, cancel the $5/mo international plan.
There will be more information to come. Welcome to TEAM Planet Hockey and we look forward to an amazing hockey tour in Sweden this summer.
Regards,
Shawn Killian
Director - Planet Hockey, Inc
European Hockey Tours Director |