1) PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Over 60’s

Teams (9):

Australia, England, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa

Each team will have either 6 or 7 matches in total.

Over 65’s

Teams (6):

Australia, England, Germany, Japan, Scotland, Australian O70s

Format: The 6 teams play in one group each playing against the other 5 teams. The 1st and 2nd play the final, the 3rd and 4th play for 3rd place and the 5th and 6th play for the final two places.

Each team will have 6 matches.

Tournament Trophy

Teams (4 + 1) :

Germany B, England LX,Alliance 1, Alliance 2, Malaysia/Singapore (Good Bad and the Ugly)

Format: Four teams to play each other twice. The top 3 teams play extra friendly games against GBU, who are only arriving in HK on Wednesday 17th.

Each team will have 6 matches plus 3 teams will have an additional friendly.

Note : Matches will be played in quarters of 17.5 minutes each, unless both teams in any particular match agree to play in halves of 35 minutes and inform the umpires in advance. With quarters there will be 2 intervals of 2 minutes and a half time interval of 6 minutes.

2) UMPIRES

Umpires are being coordinated by Geoff Hollis. At present we appear to have sufficient umpires (14) and a few Hong Kong based umpires are also likely to be called upon. It has been agreed that there should be no player/manager umpires whatsoever.

Umpires’ shirts are being sponsored by ‘Just Hockey’, Australia.

3) VENUES 

All hockey will be played at either Hong Kong Football Club or Happy Valley. The pitches are a few hundred yards apart. All teams are staying in hotels in the Happy Valley area and can easily walk to the pitches.

Games are by and large being played in the early morning or late afternoon/evening. This is because the weather in Hong Kong in September can be very warm and humid and it is better to avoid playing in the middle of the day. (See later under Health and Safety).

We will be allocating pitch times for training before the tournament starts. Once we have all teams’ requirements we will circulate a schedule to all team managers.

4) HEALTH AND SAFETY

As mentioned above the playing conditions are likely to be hot and humid. As such there are obvious risks.

On of the major risks is dehydration. At the bottom of this message a circular is included  that has been sent to all Australian players, and this should be circulated to everyone. It is imperative that all players are aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions. For some people the conditions will be very different to those in which they normally play and it is important that no-one is complacent about this issue. There will be water supplied in reasonable quantities, however it is strongly suggest that teams/team members arrange to have too much water in hand at matches rather than too little.

Another risk is the possibility of heart problems as a result of over exertion. We have organized to have para-medics available at all games and they will have defibrillators on hand. In addition it is known that some teams will have their own medical staff.

Some teams are bringing their own physiotherapists. If any team, who is not, would like to employ physiotherapists locally can they please let us know as we would have to tee this up in advance. The tournament organizers will not be making arrangements for physiotherapists – this is the responsibility of individual teams.

We will provide you with a list of local hospitals, doctors and dentists in due course.

Medical Indemnity

Please note that the Hong Kong Football Club and the Tournament Organising Committee will accept no liability for personal accidents, injuries or death incurred in the HKFC or on any of the designated playing grounds during the course of the Tournament and its related activities, and for any ensuing medical or hospital costs.

Players should be aware that it is customary that all hospital and medical costs incurred, including transportation costs where necessary, are paid by the individual at the time of the treatment for injury.

Also all players and officials have sole responsibility for their personal possessions and sporting equipment during the tournament.

We recommend that each player ensures that he has sufficient personal insurance cover for all such eventualities.

5) HONG KONG FOOTBALL CLUB

The HKFC is acting as the host venue for this tournament. It is considered to be on of the best sporting clubs in Asia and offers a wide range of sporting and recreational facilities. The easiest way to obtain full details about the club is to go to their website: www.hkfc.com.hk

For those who do not have easy access to the internet, the club’s main sports are Rugby (the original HK 7’s were played at the Club), Soccer, Hockey, Squash, Lawn Bowls, Tennis, Swimming Pool, Golf simulators, Fitness centre, Ten pin bowling, and a Snooker room. In addition there are a number of bars and restaurants plus beauty/massage facilities, library, sports shop etc.

The Club have kindly offered all participants plus officials and spouses temporary membership of the Club, which will basically be free of charge except for a nominal charge to cover the cost of visitor cards. This is quite a major concession as the Club normally charges temporary members a fee of HK$ 70 per day. This will give all guests virtually unlimited access to the Club during the period of your stay, albeit there are charges for the use of various of the facilities.

Normally when teams visit HKFC for other tournaments the method of payment is that signing rights are granted to the team manager and that he pays by credit card for the whole team. This is very simple but may not suit the participants.

If team managers do not want to take this responsibility then all visitors will be issued a visitors card and will have to buy cash coupons at the Reception desk for all expenditure. These coupons will be available at all times during Club openinghours.

6) FUNCTIONS / MEETINGS

Thursday 11^th September

The first Meeting will be that of 1) Team Managers and 2) Umpires, both to be held concurrently in the HKFC at 3.30 p.m.on Thursday, 11th September. If anyone concerned cannot make either of these meetings can they please let us know.

Immediately after these meetings at about 5.30 p.m. there will be the official tournament Opening Ceremony on the HKFC pitch. All teams will be expected to be present for a March Past, welcoming speeches etc. Further information will be forthcoming in due course.

At about 6.15 p.m. we will be holding a Welcome drinks party at the HKFC for all visitors. This will be stand-up drinks plus small eats.

Monday 15^th September

The WGMA Assembly meeting at which all countries’ delegates are requested to be present will be held on Monday 15thSeptember at 11.30 a.m. at HKFC.

Friday 19^th September

The official Tournament Dinner will be held in the Sports Hall of the HKFC. This is a large room which can easily seat all visitors. The intention is to have a sit down buffet dinner, including a good quantity of wine, soft drinks and beer. We will have an excellent band playing and a good evening is promised for all. Seating can be by teams or however you would like it.  There will be a seating plan – it will not just be a free for all!

Sunday 21^st September

There will be a Closing ceremony/prize giving straight after the last hockey match.

7) MISCELLANEOUS

Shirts: we will be selling souvenir tournament polo shirts. These will be displayed during the first weekend and a limited quantity will be for sale. If you would like any of these you can place an order detailing quantity/sizes/colours and they will be available for collection at the HKFC by the following Friday.

Social : there is plenty to do in Hong Kong and no-one should get bored during days on which you are not playing hockey. Apart from the obvious i.e. shopping, there are quite a number of places to explore. Golf is limited in HK but can be probably be arranged if advance notice is given.

On Wednesday 17^th p.m. there is no hockey scheduled, because there will be horse racing at Happy Valley that evening. Punters may want to go to the races. For those who are not interested in racing we are contemplating organizing a boat trip. The idea would be to leave early evening, go to an outlying island and have a Chinese meal there. This would be a 4 hour trip and would cost between HK$ 130 and HK$ 220, excluding dinner, depending on the numbers attending. If there is sufficient interest in this please let us know and we will proceed to organize something and liaise further re the cost/payment.

Macau: visas are not required to visit Macau, which is a 1 hour ferry ride away. Macau is the gambling capital of Asia and the development there is simply extraordinary. There are still some nice old Portuguese restaurants in Macau.

China : for most nationalities visas are required to visit China. These can normally be obtained in HK with 2/3 days notice. This can be sped up to one day, but at extra cost. The obvious destination is Shenzen for shopping (fake everything!). If you want to travel further afield it would be better to plan ahead.

We look forward to seeing you all in Hong Kong and we are sure that a good time will be had by all.

David Fargus

John Watts

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As we will be travelling and playing in hot, humid conditions, fluid intake will be important. Sweat losses will be higher.

Thirst is NOT an indicator to dehydration and symptoms are not necessarily recognised by the player. Thirst indicates that 1.5 –2.0 litres of fluid have already been lost

Indications.

Early - decrease in mental functioning and co-ordination

            Cramping in arms and legs

Moderate -  nausea , vomiting, diarrhoea, hunger, irritability

                    Dizziness, weakness, headaches

Severe – low blood pressure, fainting, severe cramping, bloating, rapid breathing

Effects of Hydration.

Improve exertion and performance.

Prevent excessive elevations in heart rate and body temperature.

Prevent declines in concentration and skills.

What to drink:

Fluid intake is enhanced with cool, flavoured drinks containing sodium i.e. sports drinks.  Necessary for games.

Need a sports drink that has 4-8% carbohydrate, 10-20mmol/L sodium, affordable conveniently packaged and pleasant tasting e.g. Gatorade, Powerade, Staminade

Sports drinks improve fluid intake and allows refuelling

Water is a suitable option particularly for low intensity exercise up to 50 mins.

Cordial, soft drinks and juice contain more carbohydrates and less sodium than required

Tips.

Take plenty of fluids whilst travelling.

Begin each game fully hydrated by drinking fluids during the day (even when not playing) e.g. water, fruit juices

On game days commence drinking earlyand drink small volumes regularly

As a general guide for playing at least 500-750mls pre and post game and 250mls at the breaks – cool fluids are better than iced.

Alcohol and caffeine interferes with rehydration and recovery – bear this in mind when socializing.

If your urine is dark yellow then you are definitely not drinking enough. Urine should be a pale yellow.

It is recommended that all players bring 2 water bottles and 1 hand towel to the games

 

Partners need to be aware that they need to keep their fluid intake up.

 

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