A constructive approach to sports tour organisation.

BUCS Conference, July 2010

Welcome & Welcome & Introductions:Introductions:

Sam Seward- MD, ILOVETOUR Sports Tours & Festivals

Sam Gill- 08/10 Sports Officer Sheffield Hallam University

Nat Broom- 08/10 Student Activities Officer University of Teesside.

Tours, Festivals & Events Students P.A.

Easter Student Sports Festivals 15,000 &

Increasing

Student Ski Trips20,000 &Increasing

Operator lead UK/foreign Sports T’ments & Festivals +

surf/watersports…7,000*+

Total Annual Passengers 42,000+

Overview: Student Sports Travel Market

* Estimated figures

“Get more people to play sport and partake in physical activity” (BUCS)

Why should BUCS/Unions Endorse Sports Tours?

- Tours & sports festivals are unique experiences which create incredible memories for student athletes. The social aspect of student sport is a huge draw and is a key element in getting students active and engaged.

- Promotes participation- incentivises membership and gives a climax to the university season to complement varsities- many of which do not fall at the end of the season.

-Engenders team spirit within individual teams, whole clubs and entire athletic unions. 

Why should BUCS/Unions Partner with Sports Tour organisers?

“Provide a national, respected voice for our members to government and relevant stakeholders.” (BUCS)

- Provide some very simple regulation/a simple checklist like a regular NGB.

- Endorse a simple code of conduct – similar to the RFU/FA etc.

- Know the facts and keep a regular dialogue with operators and trade associations like TourWatch.

Further Explanation of:ChecklistsCode of ConductTourwatchILOVEMORE

A typical checklist when choosing a tour operator:

Public Liability Insurance - £10mRelevant Experience/Appropriate ServicesExternally Verified Safety Management System

(SMS)FSA Approved Travel Insurance

Financial protection, e.g. ABTA and ATOL.

An easy centrally adopted policy.

Makes students accountable for their actions & behaviour.

Protects the university’s reputation.

Use of a BUCS/NUS Approved code of conduct for foreign tours:

Participants will not participate in any activities that jeopardise, threaten or endanger other students, member’s of SET/ ‘ILOVETOUR’/ Resort staff or members of the public.Participants will not provoke, incite or undertake any form of violence, criminal activity or behaviour.Participants will act in a civilised and polite manner when representing the University of __________________ Participants will not bring the name of the University of __________________ into disrepute.Participants will not damage, steal or intentionally misuse any property or equipment when representing the University of __________________ Participants will act in accordance with all Rules & Regulations relating to the Athletic Union and Clubs as laid down in the ___SU Constitution and the ___SU Student Activities Handbook.Participants will act in accordance with all Rules & Regulations relating to the ILOVETOUR.co.uk Tour in Salou 2010/Festival Italia and DamFest as laid out by the tour company ‘ILOVETOUR’/ SET and its representatives.

Code of conduct- suggested example policy:

Participants will act in a non-rowdy and civilised manner whilst partaking in social activities within any licensed premises for the duration of their stay in the resort of Salou/Rimini/Amersterdam. They will also respect and obey the decisions of the ‘ILOVETOUR’ Staff, Bar Staff and Security whilst in said premises.Appointed ___SU Staff Representatives and individual Club tour Secretaries/ Organisers will have a Duty of Care and Responsibility for the other Members in their Club on Tour where they are representing the University of ________________ . Breaches of this Policy by Clubs or Participants on the Tour will result in investigation by the Union Staff Representatives on Tour, and may also involve further investigation on return from the tour by the Athletic Union and ___SU. The overall Athletic Union Conduct & Behaviour policy may be utilised in dealing with any investigation. Any investigation could lead to disciplinary action that may result in one or more of the following penalties being imposed: 

Code of conduct- sugg. example policy continued:

Possible removal from the hotel and relocation away from other members of the tour party.Possible removal/ expulsion from the sports tour in its entirety and returned to the UK.Removal of Individuals from being able to represent the University of ______, ___SU, the Athletic Union or their Club for a specified period.The prevention of Individuals being nominated for or receiving University Colours in respect of sporting achievement.Banning of Individual(s) from participating in specified competitions, events or activities relating to the Athletic Union and ___SU including access to and use of Students’ Union facilities.Freezing of Club accounts for a maximum of One year.Freezing of all Club/ Team activities for a maximum of One year.Closing down of a Club/ Team for a specified period up to a maximum of One year. Possible referral to the University of ____ and their disciplinary procedures. Legal/ Criminal proceedings being taken against Individual(s) responsible..

 

Code of conduct- example penalties:

What is TourWatch?

“TourWatch is a group of leading sports tour operators who organise sports tours and festivals for British University students. TourWatch exists to provide a communication forum between these festival organisers and to promote the concept of 'Responsible Touring'.”

How will TourWatch hold groups accountable?

“We collectively identify and hold accountable those university tour groups who: Act unreasonably, ignoring warnings and behaving recklessly and irresponsibly on tour, endangering their own safety and that of others and/or cause deliberate vandalism/damage to accommodation, vehicles or venues.”

What did we do in 2010? Banned drinking alcohol on

vehicles across all sports festivals. This included the full cooperation of the 2 leading university ski operators ‘Off the Piste’ and ‘Ski Alpine’.

Lifted expired bans on 3 university clubs and imposed only one new ban- progress!

Sam GillSam Gill

Sheffield Hallam Sheffield Hallam UniversityUniversity

Nat BroomNat Broom

Teesside Teesside UniversityUniversity

Questions & Questions & DiscussionDiscussion

ThankyouThankyou