Ohio North Youth Soccer Association 2017 ODP-Europe Tour Announcement

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1 September 19, 2016 Hello all, I am pleased to announce the 2017 Ohio North Olympic Development Program ODP- Europe trip to Budapest (Hungary), Prague (Czech Republic) and Berlin (Germany), scheduled to travel between Friday, March 24 th and Sunday, April 2 nd The tour is primarily for players in the 2004, 2003 and 2002 age groups, with family members welcome to travel. Older players are not precluded from traveling. The tour begins with three nights in historic Budapest, situated on the River Danube, with stops at the famous parliament building and castle. Boasting a grand cathedral, the twin cities of Buda and Pest offer all the breathtaking beauty of the old world with all the modern amenities of the new. On a more sobering note, the group will visit the Terezin Concentration Camp during the stay in Hungary. The second stop is picturesque Prague, with Europe s largest castle dominating the landscape. The city tour will include a walk across the Charles Bridge and a first-hand view of the astronomical clock, brought to prominence by Bill Murray s overnight round-trip from Berlin while filming the Monument s Men in There will be a brief stop in the Slovakian capital Bratislava en route to Prague. Capping the nine-day adventure will be a final stop in the German capital Berlin, where the group will take in the Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, remnants of the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, Checkpoint Charlie and the Holocaust Museum. The teams will train up to three times, play up to four matches, and attend a professional match which has yet to be scheduled. The tour will be operated by Cleveland-based Travel and Play and will depart out of Cleveland and Detroit. The costs are $3,100 for players and siblings under 18 traveling in a family group; and $3,300 for adults. 1

2 The tour cost includes round-trip airfare, eight nights accommodations, two meals per day, private bus transportation, sightseeing tours, practice facilities, a full-time tour manager, all European taxes tolls and gratuities (except drivers), a player uniform package, and up to six ODP-Europe training sessions. Essentially, the tour cost covers everything except the professional match ticket, snacks and spending money. The tentative schedule is outlined below (there are always changes) and the process for declarations and payments is as follows. Initial non-binding declarations by Wednesday, September 28 th Please send an to Bernie Telmanik (btelmanik@ohionorthsoccer.org) indicating that your son or daughter is interested in participating. 2. Family members are welcome to attend, so please also include the names and relationship [father/mother/brother/sister, etc.] of any other family member(s) who may be traveling with the group. Please note the age of any siblings who may be traveling as older teens may be asked to room together. The travel party is limited to the capacity of two European busses. 3. Historically, older or younger siblings who play competitive soccer have been accommodated on the roster to the degree numbers and ability levels dictate. Team Selection There will be an ODP-Europe training session scheduled for early November. This session is used to connect names and faces; and for a final assessment should a formal selection process be necessary. The remaining training dates will be scheduled for February and March and will be announced in the next two weeks. The player rosters will be confirmed in November non-playing additions to the travel party can be named through late February. Coaches Ohio North Director of Coaching Tom Turner will work with the girl s team and Region II ODP Coach Oliver Condell will oversee the boy s. University Hospitals A University Hospitals Sports Medicine doctor will accompany the travel party and will be available for any medical emergencies that may arise. 2

3 Payment Schedule 1. An initial deposit of $500 per person is due in the Ohio North office on or before Wednesday, October 19 th A second payment of $1500 per person is due on or before Wednesday, January 11 th The final balance is due on or before Wednesday, February 1 st Tentative Tour Schedule Friday, March 24 Depart Cleveland and/or Detroit on overnight flights to Budapest, Hungary. Saturday, March 25 Arrive Budapest and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing in the city. Brief Practice. Dinner at the hotel. Sunday, March 26 City tour of Buda. Afternoon Games. Monday, March 27 Full day sightseeing in Pest. Tuesday, March 28 Breakfast at the hotel Transfer to Prague. Sightseeing stop in Bratislava. Wednesday, March 29 City tour of Prague. Evening Games. 3

4 Dinner at the hotel. Thursday, March 30 Visit to Terezin Concentration Camp. Afternoon Games. Friday, March 31 Transfer to Berlin. Sightseeing stop in Dresden. Saturday, April 1 Breakfast at hotel. Morning games. City tour of Berlin. Evening dinner at the hotel Sunday, April 2 Breakfast at the hotel Flight to Cleveland/Detroit The professional game will be added to the schedule when confirmed. Questions? More specific details about the trip and about touring in Europe will be posted in the FAQ s next week. Otherwise, please let me know if you have any initial questions. Looking forward to another excellent European adventure! Tom Turner Dr. Tom Turner Ohio North Director of Coaching 4

5 Rewind Not sure what to expect from a European trip? Here are links (PC s only) to slideshows from previous ODP-Europe tours. Prague 2011/ Terezin Budapest Cesky Krumlov ODP Travel Party Europe%20Travel%20Party%202015%20%282015_12_14%2023_09_07%20UTC%29. exe?dl=0 Paris