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MARS Rugby - An Out-of-This-World Experience |
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MARS Rugby - An Out-of-This-World Experience
Event Date:
Thursday, 08/30/07
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Keep that rugby spirit burning bright!
There are so many of us ruggers who are aging faster than we could ever run. So how do we keep that rugby spirit burning bright. About the best way I and thousands of others have found is the Golden Oldies Rugby experience.
MARS Rugby has many beliefs aka truisms 'as old age approaches', here's a sampling:
The Older We Get, The Better We Were
Growing Old is Inevitable, Growing Up in Optional
I've Got a Season Left in Me!
MARS Rugby first entered the Golden Oldies Rugby Festivals (GORF) in 1985 which was held in London, England. The team was organized and led by Philadelphia-Whitemarsh Hall-of-Famer, Tony Studdy. Tony led the Martians as its organizer until his wisdom grew that he found Steve Cohen as a capable successor and 'passed the ball' to him. Steve, who had already inherited the team managerial duties from another Club stalwart, the (less than) honorable John 'The Judge' Wetzel, failed to 'knock on the pass from Tony' and thus took over MARS Rugby starting with the 2005 San Diego GORF. MARS Rugby began with a core of Philadelphia/Whitemarsh players in addition to John and Tony, including Andy Smith, Floyd Johnson, Peter Heaton, John Dyduck, Roger Meyers, Tom Cherenack, Rafael Zahralddin, and others. All of which are still active Martians! MARS Rugby has branched out and now includes players from other clubs who lives throughout the US.
When I said 'thousands of others' earlier I meant it. The Festivals are held every 2 years and draw anywhere between 120 to 160 teams from 20 to 25 different countries resulting in 4000 to 6000 players in attendance. Festival locations generally alternate between Northern and Southern hemispheres. Past festivals in the 'South' has been held in New Zealand (Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch) and Australia (Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane) and in the 'North' in the US (Long Beach and San Diego), Canada (Toronto and Vancouver), England (London), France (Toulouse), Ireland (Dublin) and in 2008 it will be in Edinburgh, Scotland. Yes Scotland - the haggis, the heather and the heavy ales - rugby heaven indeed!
GORF pride themselves on offering 'fun, friendship and fraternity' and more truer words have rarely been spoken. The opportunities to play and socialize with players from all parts of the world under the common 'love of rugby' umbrella is such a beautiful thing. I am sure many of you have tour overseas and have tasted this to some degree. Take that degree and multiply many times over. With that in mind...how can you not (at least want to) become a Golden Oldies rugger?!
We are presently planning our 'invasion' of Scotland for the Sept. 1 to 8, 2008 festival. The Festival will be held in Edinburgh. A place if you have not been to before...is magnificent in its grandeur, history, ales, warmth (of the people) and more.
MARS Rugby awaits your reply.
Festival details below.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need more info.
With you.
Steve Cohen
Martian High Commander
609-714-2203
sdcohen4@mindspring.com
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Details about the Edinburgh Festival (including Festival brochure) and Golden Oldies rugby are online at: http://www.goldenoldiessports.com/go_festivals/rugby_festivals/world_rugby_festival_08.htm .
MARS trip plans, costs and festival details follow. For questions, please contact Steve Cohen at sdcohen4@mindspring.com.
Travel
A group flight out of Newark Liberty Airport direct to Edinburgh is planned. Airfares TBD (current Continental airfare is close to $700). They cannot be determined until about 11 months before the departure date. If flying out of Newark is not convenient for anyone (such as Brad and Sue Allen who currently live in Tokyo, Japan), a different arrangement can be made.
The plan is to leave Saturday evening, Aug. 30, and arrive Sunday morning, Aug. 31. Alternative travel plans for different departure and/or return dates can be arranged.
Flight cost is not included below.
Our travel agent is Bill Colclough (pronounce cal-hoon) at O'Keefe Travel. Phone: 215-953-6900. Bill can arrange pre- or post-festival travel arrangements. I do not expect we will have a team trip after the festival.
Accommodations/Land Package
Your RSVP and deposit ($300 per person) is needed ASAP preferably no later than April 16. The GO cost for land package shown in brochure) only is GBP940 per person for double occupancy; GBP = Great Britain Pound which is currently at: 1GBP = $1.95. I am using $2.00 at this time for mathematical convenience.
For 3 persons per room: pricing is lower and will be requested if needed.
Single person per room: pricing is higher and will be requested if needed.
MARS Double Occupancy cost per person will be $2000. This consists of a non-refundable deposit of $120 plus $1880 land package cost. MARS higher cost is to collect money used for various team costs. Once booking is made, we have until Nov. 15 to cancel for full refund less $100 (GBP50) for Golden Oldies Admin Fee.
An additional room charge (TBD) will be added for arriving a day early (extra night).
Here is the payment schedule that needs to be adhered to: - please make checks payable to 'MARS Rugby' and send to me:
Steve Cohen
116 N. Lakeside Dr. E.
Medford, NJ 08055-8472
Payment Schedule per person
Due April 16, 2007: $300 deposit per person (includes $120 non-refundable deposit)
Due November 1, 2007: $300 deposit per person
Due February 1, 2008: $300 deposit per person
Due May 1, 2008: balance of land package cost.
Festival Cancellation and Refund Policy
A refund of $300 per person less the $120 non-refundable deposit will be available up until Nov. 15, 2007.
For cancellations received after Nov. 15, 2007 and up until May 1, 2008, deposits are non-refundable but can be transferred to the balance of the team account. This means MARS can refund the money paid prior to May 1, 2008 to you (for land package only) minus the $120 non-refundable deposit.
For cancellations received after May 1, 2008, all payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. This means the only way you can get your money back is to find someone else to take your place.
It is strongly recommended that you purchase cancellation travel insurance to protect against cancellation charges. O'Keefe Travel recommends use of Travel Safe Vacation Insurance. Details can be found at: www.travelsafe.com.
Children in Attendance
In the past, a Children Festival Package (up to 18 years old) was available at a reasonable cost ($200 or so).
- Includes accommodation (rollaway bed in parents guest room), entry to opening ceremony and party, children's festival ID badge and souvenir as well as transportation for the week. If anyone is bringing (or thinking about doing so) children under age of 18, let me know and I will look into it.
What Do I Get for My Money?
Please note that the Land Package cost includes a plethora of things - much, much more than just a hotel room.
The visitors' accommodation packages also include:
Three days of Rugby.
Participation in the Opening Ceremony at Edinburgh Castle and Parade of Nations.
Seven night's accommodation. Your team chooses the level and category of accommodation it wants.
Welcome upon arrival.
One team transfer to/from your hotel on your Edinburgh arrival and departure.
A cooked breakfast every morning in hotels, university and hostels. Continental breakfast in the Ibis Hotel. (Breakfast not provided in apartments).
Return coach transfers to all three social functions.
A full shuttle service on the three match days between all hotels and the playing venues.
Official social functions, meals and drinks as listed
Welcome Party - three hours of finger food, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks with entertainment.
The Highland Fling day out - entertainment, displays of Scottish Highland games, lunch, unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks.
The Grand Finale Dinner. A three-course dinner plus coffee/tea. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks with music, entertainment, awards and dancing.
Festival souvenir
Festival 'Survival Guide'
Festival newspapers
Team Managers' Planning Guide
Festival ID badges
Hospitality and information desks at selected hotels
Government taxes
Personality of the Day medallions
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contact: Steve Cohen,
sdcohen4@mindspring.com
phone: 908 474 8734 |
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