Hi,
For those of you who may not be aware of our tour exchange with MDX it truly is the chance to play the sport we all love and meet lifelong friends along the way. In the summer of 2019, we completed the tenth successful year of the exchange programme with our friends at Maryland Express Lacrosse Club. 21 girls, 13 boys and 5 coaches had a great time in Maryland in July, playing matches against American opposition, experiencing a slice of American life by staying with a host family, and having great fun on trips out and organised parties in the evening.

We were planning to host MDX in the UK 2020 when the global pandemic struck the world and had to cancel for the safety of all involved, this also meant the cancellation of Tour 2021.
Following a discussion with MDX we intend to plan for tour 2022. We will continue with the plan of MDX coming over to the UK. We know that the situation may be taken out of our hands at some point, but positive planning will give our players the boost they need and something to look forward too.

2022 dates may be MDX arrive at TLC around the morning of 20th/21st JULY and will leave the morning of the 30th/31st July. (flights may amend the dates slightly).
Player Age

We have an age cut off so if you have just gone into school years 8-11 you are exactly who we need for 2021. No older than 17yrs usually.

However due to the issues with Covid players who would have toured 2020 who wish to still be involved please express your interest, and if there is an age-appropriate pairing you may still be able to be involved 2022. The reasoning behind this will be that we need players who have had previous experience to help the younger members through. How we make this happen is to be discussed and clarified with MDX.
. Hosting

For the inbound tour each TLC player and family would host an MDX player, they would stay with you as one of your own. The host would look after their American for the duration of their stay and take them somewhere for the family weekend as you would with your own family. You would also be expected to ensure they attend their matches on time and basically run them around. I can assure you that our American friends certainly look after our kids when they are over there.

Now is the start of our fund raising ready for the 2022 inbound Tour.

Fund raising is key to the tour success and we have already had events cancelled, I will be looking for help in organising some fund raising during the current pandemic. ANY news ideas for fund raising gratefully accepted.

WE NEED YOUR HELP !!!!!!!!!

We will be having our third MDX tour golf day this year date TBC. (Sponsors are needed !!)
Football cards are a good source of income.
Sponsorship from any local companies would be great, as we have done previously putting logos on T shirts to advertise.
Fund raising events throughout the year this will pay for, days away during the tour and kit for tour, pitch hire umpires etc,etc
The next big fund raiser is the Manchester Marathon at which we will be doing the bag drop. We need to get our numbers up, so please help out with your player as it is their Tour that we facilitate. The more people the more Money we raise.

What next

• Please email me with your interest !!!!!!!. What we are after for now is simply an expression of interest about hosting tour in 2022. It is by no means a binding commitment, nor is it a guarantee that you will get to tour. It all depends on the numbers and ages of the players.
• I will arrange a team’s meeting during October just to get the ball rolling and try to firm up on numbers, and to deal with any initial questions that anyone might have prior to committing.
• It is preferable that we have commitment for a 2 year cycle as your American will love to host you in 2023.

Costs

The most expensive year is the outbound tour. However, we still incur costs for the inbound tour, the main ones being trips out that we provide, transport, gifts, tour tee shirts, catering for the arrival and farewell parties, umpires and match day refreshments.
There is a one-off payment of £150/£200 per player which goes towards the tour fund. (this may change due to the lack of available fund raising events).

NOTE FUND RAISING KEEPS THIS COST TO A MINIMUM!!!££££

We aim to fund raise the same for both inbound and outbound tours and your help and assistance is appreciated.

TLC – Tour co-ordinator
G.Hall
Garyhall2818@gmail.com 07904-877259