1. Information pack for schools

2. Introduction This information pack gives you information that will help you as you plan your involvement in the event. Please read it carefully and pass on the information to all the children taking part, supporters, staff, parents and friends. This information is also available on our website www.westcavan.wordpress.comwww.westcavan.wordpress.com

3. Team Selection We hope the event will be played in a spirit of friendship, respect and sporting ‘Fair Play’ – we’re therefore encouraging team & skills development by asking schools to include children of mixed ability to represent their school. In order to help facilitate this we’d like schools to select a team that are: 1. Aged 8, 9 and 10 years only on the date of the event. 2. Have an equal number of boys and girls. 3. Have up to 10 members. 4. Include children who have sporting potential, but haven’t represented the school at an event like this as yet. If flexibility is required e.g. you have 11 children of that age group and one could be left out, please contact us.

4. FAI Tournament rules Please read these rules carefully and make sure your staff and players are fully aware of them. This will help everyone keep safe and enjoy taking part in the event. Each accompanying staff member to have a team list with Players names and Dates of Birth. The matches will be 7-a-side with 3 substitutes. Subs can be made on a ‘Roll on Roll off’ to help give everyone an equal chance to play in the games. Referees to be informed when a substitution is made. Matches will be of 10 minutes duration. Initially, each team will have four matches in the group stage of the tournament which will run from approx 11am-1pm. Please rotate the team so each player gets an equal opportunity to take part. No slide or aggressive tackling is allowed. The games will be played on a grass surface so training shoes with good grips or football boots are recommended - no sharp studs please. Shin guards are recommended. We hope the event will be played in a spirit of friendship, respect and sporting ‘Fair Play’ with the emphasis being placed on team and skill development. Therefore no aggressive, disrespectful or offensive language is allowed during or between games. This includes all supporters who come along to the event. The FAI referees are fully qualified and are a great help to the event and should be respected at all times. There is NO offside rule. The opposition must be 5 metres from the ball at a Free Kick. Penalties must be taken from a spot 8 metres from the Goal Line. Goalkeepers are not allowed to kick the ball from their hands at any time. When the ball goes wide the Goalkeeper must restart the game by throwing the ball back into play.

5. Supervision & Supporters. We ask that schools have staff with the children when attending and participating in the event and that they will be responsible for supervising the children during the time they are at the event. Schools are welcome to bring other children, parents, friends and family to support their team. Please encourage the children and supporters to enter into the ‘Fair Play’ spirit of the event and wear the colours of the Nation your team is representing. It’s also ok if supports want to make and bring flags or banners, bells and hooters etc.

6. Lunch and refreshments All children and accompanying adults are asked to bring a pack lunch and plenty of water. We will have water available as well.

7. Team shirts and the nation you will represent in the Tournament Your school team has been given a country to learn about and represent in the ‘Fair Play’ World Cup Tournament. A list of the Nations, Team colours and the schools who will be representing them can be found on our website www.westcavan.wordpress.com www.westcavan.wordpress.com In previous years we have been able to provide team shirts however, due to funding not being available for this purpose this year we are asking your team to wear T-shirts that are the National colour of the Nation you are representing. Staff, parents and supports attending the event with you are asked also to wear your nation’s colour to help make the event as colourful as possible. If you want to make flags & banners in your Nation’s colours that would be grate. Please avoid Premiership, GAA Club or County shirts.

8. Trophies & Awards The following awards will be made on the day: 1. A replica of the World Cup Trophy for the tournament winners. 2. Each school will be asked to nominate a player from their team for an individual Fair Play award. 3. The Fair Play Trophy will be awarded to the team who has worked best as a team – this will be awarded by the FAI Referees at the end of the day. Pictures of the trophies are available on our website – www.westcavan.wordpress.com www.westcavan.wordpress.com

9. Parental/Guardian Permission forms. Local photographers will be present to take general photographs and video of the event. These will be used for reports, local news papers, general publicity and for local schools taking part in the event. To comply with child protection requirements, please confirm by email or letter that your school has permission for all children to participate in the event on this basis. Email sandy@communityconnections.iesandy@communityconnections.ie

10. Access to the venue & Public Toilets. The event will be held at The Cottage Meadow, Belcoo. The Cottage Meadow is a large open public park managed by Fermanagh District Council and is valued and enjoyed by the community in Belcoo and surrounding area. The Council has given us permission to use the park as a venue for the event and I would ask that everyone attending the event will treat the park with respect. The park can be accessed by car or coach at the car park on the left hand side of the main road if you are entering Belcoo from the Enniskillen direction. This car park is off the main road and has direct access to the park. There are public toilets next to the car park within the park grounds.

11. Transport to and from the event We have a very limited budget for transport, however, if your school requires transport to and from the event please contact Carrie or Sandy on 071 9853321 or email sandy@communityconnections.ie or carrie@communityconnections.ie. We will need to know: sandy@communityconnections.ie carrie@communityconnections.ie 1. The number of sets you will need on the bus. 2. The time by which you need to be returned to your school (for normal pick ups). IMPORTANT! Please provide this information by Tuesday 7 th June

12. Event Boundaries & First Aid Event boundaries. Although the park is open and safe, there is a main road near the park and a section of the park (away from where the World Cup activities will be taking place) has access to Lough MacNean. We would ask that all participants and supports stay within the main Cottage Meadow grounds for the duration of the event. The main area is marked out by a walking path that goes around the main field. First Aid. There will be a nominated First Aider at the event, however, if a staff member from your school is attending the event and is a qualified First Aider and is willing to be an additional First Aid contact, please let Sandy Holland know Tel: 071 9853321 Email: sandy@communityconnections.iesandy@communityconnections.ie

13. Weather conditions & further questions Weather conditions. We’re hoping for good weather, however, in the event of severe weather conditions or if the grass surface is considered too unsafe to play on by the FAI Coaches, we will postpone the event until early September. There is a covered band stand area next to the public toilets within the park where participants can shelter in the event of the odd rain shower. Please check our website for last minute information regarding weather either the evening before or on the morning of the event before you leave school. The nominated mobile phone number is 087 2153545 or 00353 872153545 if phoning from Northern Ireland. A notification will be put on our website, so if in doubt check this before travelling. Further questions If you have any other questions please contact Sandy Holland, Project Coordinator, Community Connections, Killycarney, Blacklion, Co, Cavan. Tel: 071 9853321 Email: sandy@communityconnections.ie Web/Blog: www.westcavan.wordpress.comsandy@communityconnections.iewww.westcavan.wordpress.com