Good evening and welcome to the Rocky Hill "Sylvie Poulin" Columbus Day Classic! 

We are very excited to host all of you for our annual tournament.  Before we get into the intent of this note, RESPECT, here are a few other extremely important points to be made before we get to that:

1. NO POP-UP TENTS OR GRILLS ARE ALLOWED AT ANY OF THE VENUES.  WE ARE EXPECT CLOSE TO 2,000 PLAYERS.  WHEN YOU ADD IN THE THOSE THAT WILL BE ATTENDING WITH PLAYERS/TEAMS, WE WILL HAVE VERY LARGE CROWDS THAT WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY MANEUVERING AROUND THE VENUES, LET ALONE HAVING TO DEAL WITH TENTS AND GRILLS.  PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL AVAILABLE SPACE IS FOR THE TRAFFIC GENERATED TO BE ABLE TO FREELY MOVE AROUND. 
2. Please check your schedules for the day.  Something may have changed from what you had last seen.
3. Please be early for your games and be ready to take your benches and the field on time!  There is no down time, tournament is fully booked and to get all the games in, we need to have all games begin and end on time.
4. Pick up after yourselves!!
5. Schedule updates, results and standings can be accessed directly via GotSport using this link:  Tournament Schedule
6. Tournament Rules are included in the attached word document or can be accessed using this link:  Tournament Rules

TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS MESSAGE WITH EMPHASIS ON RESPECT FOLLOWS.  PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR PLAYERS AND FAMILIES!!

Here are a few thoughts that I would like to share with all our participants going into the weekend...

Mutual Respect

One of the most important factors of an enjoyable experience involves a healthy respect for all of the parties involved

Respect for the Opposing Teams and Their Goals

Many of our tournament teams have different goals for our event.  Please keep in mind that we all have different goals for participation, and please respect the goals of others!

 Respect for the Opposing Team's Spectators

At an event like ours, the vast majority of our spectators share one thing in common:  Parenthood!  Although the competition can get heated, and tensions can flare up, most of the people at the field are most interested in watching their children develop as soccer players and human beings.  While the jerseys may be different colors, the feelings are often exactly the same!

 Respect for the Officials

Final authority rests with the officials.  They ensure the match is fairly contested, and to keep the players safe.  They are human, and prone to mistakes, but they are trained to govern the game.  But recognize that they do their best and without them, it would be impossible to have a true meaningful competition.  Complaining to the officials only detracts from the enjoyment of the participants, saps the playing time from the game (all games are running time), and I have yet to see a referee change his or her decision!  Please cheer for your teams and let the officials do their job.

 Respect for the Tournament Staff

Our tournament is staffed by volunteers, parents of players on our teams, who will be working hard to ensure the tournament is successful.  The hours are long, the weather could be a factor, and again they are volunteering their precious time.  If an organizer asks you to keep your drinks/food etc., off the field, please do it.  If the staff member presses you to get your team on the field to start on time, please do it.  Our staff will help our tournament run in an orderly fashion, and on time, maximizing play time and minimizing inconveniences for the participants and spectators.

 Respect our Facilities

We are fortunate to have five great facilities for this year's tournament.  The surfaces are in good condition.  Our Parks department has done everything humanly possible to get the fields in the best playable conditions possible for this weekend.  The facilities are well organized and kept.  Follow facility restrictions and rules closely, and treat facility personnel with respect.  Pick up trash and dispose of it properly, don't park in illegal spaces (Police will be patrolling and will ticket).  Our tournament teams enjoy playing at these facilities and we'd like to continue to utilize them!

Here are other Important Tournament Notes for Teams

 Scheduling

To fit as many teams as we have, we've had to cut it close regarding our overall tournament schedule and the sunset.  Please help us keep games on time!  Check in with your field marshal for last minute instructions, have your kids ready with shirts tucked in, shin-guards on with socks pulled up and jewelry removed.  Work with the field marshals, opponents, and extra officials where available to figure out what side your team will start on, and which team needs to change jerseys in case of a conflict.

Have your team ready to take the field as soon as the previous match ends, and please be considerate to referees and field marshals as they push to get us on schedule.  Please especially be considerate to our field marshals who are club volunteers!

There is almost no space available for warmups at any of our facilities.  Any team warmups need to take place in the limited space surrounding the fields.  Please instruct your teams to be respectful of the match you are warming up near to. 

Field Directions

Please use the directions to your field available on our website and will be distributed to all those registered for the tournament.  In the past, we have had to deal with a lot of questions on how to get from field to field.  PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR PARENTS.

Schedule Check:   Please make sure you check your schedule before you leave for your first match!  

Turf Facility Rules

Please be aware that almost all of the facilities ban food and drinks like coffee.  Please respect field marshals and tournament personnel asking you to leave food and beverages off the fields.  We don't want to risk our relationships with these facilities.  ALL SPECTATORS NEED TO SIT OUTSIDE THE STADIUM.  THE STADIUM PROPER IS RESERVED FOR THE TEAMS COMPETING!  NO POPUP TENTS ARE ALLOWED. 

Tournament Personnel

Tournament personnel will be located at the DIRECTORS / CAPTAINS Tents at each of the Venues.  The Tournament Directors tent will be located at Rocky Hill High School.  All Personnel are available for questions.

Concessions:  INFORMATION FOR VENDORS, CONCESSIONS AND RESTAURANTS CAN BE ACCESSED FOR EACH LOCATION USING THE FOLLOWING LINK TO OUR WEBSITE    Vendors and Concessions

Thank you so much for your attention to this.  Please pay attention to future emails that you may receive.  I appreciate your continued attention to help us make this event a great mid-season treat.

Regards,

George Hatzikostas
President RHSC and Co-Tournament Director

Angela Giliberto
RHSC Co-Tournament Director