Inter-state Challenge Cup 2018
The Heathmont Jets Junior Football Club is excited to announce that the Club has formed a partnership with the South Launceston Junior Football Club which will see the two clubs compete in what we hope will be become an annual Inter-State Challenge Cup match.
The partnership between the two clubs will provide the opportunity for players from each club to travel inter-state each second year to play against one another.
In 2018 the plan is for the Heathmont Jets Youth Boys (our Under 14 and Under 13 age group boys) to travel to Tassie to compete against the South Launceston Under 14’s in the inaugural Challenge Cup Match. Future plans in the coming years will also see the opportunity for our Youth Girls (Under 14’s and Under 16’s) to be involved in this exciting opportunity.
Initial planning for the Jets trip to Launceston next year is that this will be a three-day trip taking place during the second week of the school holiday period in July (Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th July), with Jets players being home-stayed with players and families from the South-Launceston JFC. Heathmont Jets Club officials and chaperones (interested parents) would stay in motel/hotel accommodation (see the section on Timing of the Trip for further details about when this proposed trip will take place).
ITINERARY A possible three-day itinerary might look something like the following:
Day 1:
Morning - Jets travel to Launceston
Welcome luncheon hosted by South Launceston JFC
Afternoon - Joint training session with South Launceston JFC
Jets players go home with “Home-Stay Buddies” and families
Evening - Joint dinner for Club Officials and chaperones
Day 2:
Morning – time with “Home-Stay Buddies” and families
Afternoon - Sightseeing Launceston and surrounds (e.g. Cataract Gorge, Tamar Valley, etc) – Players (both clubs), Club Officials (both clubs) and chaperones
Evening - Joint Team Dinner hosted by South Launceston JFC
Day 3:
Morning - Interstate Challenge Cup match (Youth Boys)
Farewell BBQ luncheon
Afternoon – Jets return travel to Melbourne
COSTS:
Both clubs are currently looking into these costs, with the view to keeping costs associated with the trip to a minimum through arrangements such as the “home-stay” accommodation. We are also looking into sponsorship of the trip as well as club subsidies to help keep costs down.
We have obtained some initial group travel airfare quotes through Flight Centre that come in at around $220 – 235 for return airfares. In addition to flights the other main cost involved would be transportation costs (most likely mini-bus hire) so when these costs are factored in we anticipate that the final cost per player would be somewhere in the vicinity of $250 - $300 per child. Final costs will be determined once we have ascertained the number of players, officials and parents who will be participating. To this end, we are seeking expressions of interest in participating in this exciting opportunity (further details outlined below)
TIMING:
The timing of the trip is the major logistical issue, as it needs to fit the season schedule of both clubs and their associated leagues. The two clubs have looked at their respective season schedules and the school holiday periods and determined that the most feasible time would be a mid-week trip during the July school holiday period. The week beginning Monday 9th July through to Friday 13th July is an overlap week for the two states in terms of school holidays and therefore presents as the most feasible time for the trip.
The two clubs will enter into detailed discussions about the details of the trip (including the itinerary and costs) once initial reaction has been gauged from parents and players of the targeted age groups.
Heathmont Jets Junior Club President Jo Hart-Parker hopes that “this first trip in 2018 will be the beginning of a fantastic long-term association between the two clubs. “This interstate partnership will provide another great experience for players and families associated with the Heathmont Jets and South Launceston Junior Football Clubs. This is a very exciting opportunity for our players to have the chance to play footy against a team from inter-state and it will be amazing to give our players the opportunity to visit another part of the country to play football and form friendships with other kids. I am sure that with the support of our players and parents we can get this off the ground in 2018”.
SPONSORHIP OPPORTUNITY
Both Clubs are seeking sponsors to support this initiative and to help offset the costs associated with travel (and accommodation) for 20+ players, officials and chaperones. This would be an exciting sponsorship opportunity for businesses and organisations to come on board. If you think you know of any businesses or organisations that might be interested in sponsoring the program, please contact Wayne Judge to discuss.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:
At this stage we are seeking expressions of interest from players/parents in the targeted age groups to determine the feasibility of this trip taking place in 2018.
If you would be interested in your child participating in this trip next year please complete the EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM in the FORMS section and return it to Wayne Judge by no later than Friday 16th February 2018.