In mere days I will be on another plane. My first of 2019 - not bad seeing as the New Year is only a week old. One of the best parts of my job has always been the anticipation of the next destination… and this trip is no exception. My next flight will be taking me to Houston, Texas for the National Development Summit…the USA’s annual Rugby Development Conference for coaches, referees, administrators, and players from around the country!

With Rugby being one of the fastest growing sports in the USA, this is a must-do for anyone and everyone who takes their game seriously. The speakers will include Men’s and Women’s National Team Coaches, National Panel Referees, National Team Players, Top Level Administrators and Top Medical Professionals. And of course the exhibitors will include the team from Rugby Tours International, on our third outing at the Summit.

If you love Rugby, we’re sure you’re already registered to attend, and if you’re not, why not? Click Here to get registered today.

We look forward to having you come along and meet Travis, Dan and I between January 11-13 at the Crown Plaza Houston.

Game On!

MINI CASE STUDY: SOUTH AMERICAN TOUR 

• What are the benefits in using Rugby Tours International as a specialist tour operator? It is always a benefit as it takes away the organisation of sorting out flights, accommodation, insurance, Risk analysis and Crisis management and that they will get a good deal for the group.
  

• Why did you choose Rugby Tours International? I was looking for a company that provided sports matches about 2 years ago. Most of the web sites seemed to be UK based, when I found RTI who has offices all around the world including Argentina. I rang them up and was introduced to Brent who was very polite, calm and accommodating with information that I found that I needed to make a judgement about using them for our group.
  

• What did Rugby Tours International offer that was different? They just seemed to have everything in order. Whatever we needed they could provide. They were prepared to come and talk to the school and the parents and gave an itinerary that provided what I wanted to give the students. Knowing that we will have someone with us to sort out problems if they arise on the tour as well as local guides who can speak the language is also comforting.
  

• Are Rugby Tours International taking the majority of organisation away from you leaving you free to focus on teaching. The staff at RTI are on hand to answer any questions and sort out any problems that we have. Prompt replies are important and changing things to suit our requirements were always answered with understanding and politeness.
  

• Aim of the tour. At the College we are endeavouring to gain promotion both locally and nationally and touring at the start of the season was to create a bonding and camaraderie for the team, increase their knowledge through playing in a different country and gaining experiences of a totally different culture to their own.
   

• Did Rugby Tours International provide you with a tour itinerary that you wanted. Yes, totally and they changed it to help with costs.

• Are Rugby Tours International flexible with your requirements/changes? Very much so. Very flexible, especially as our tour group kept changing.
  

• Do you have any suggestions on how Rugby Tours International could do it better next time? I am more than happy with their service as it is.
   

• How have you found the process of arranging a tour? The process is fine, and flows along, although it is not often the process that creates the problems but some peoples’ change of circumstances and how we adapt with them.
   

• What have you done in the way of fundraising and how have you found this process? The team and supporters have been amazing and we have raised over $1000 per person. This was our aim as cost was a negative point to many of the players although they supported the whole process. A quiz night was our main fund raiser, but we have done car washes, sausage sizzles, movie nights, curry night, sold chocolates and now in the process of selling pies and Easter buns.
   

• Is it beneficial having a Tour Manager tour with you to take away all the ‘logistics’? Definitely. Someone who speaks the language and can take any problems away of the logistic nature is hugely beneficial. All the staff have to think about is the welfare of the students.

1. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Rugby Tours International have been excellent in their presentations; their ability to arrive at school and talk about the trip when asked; Redoing prices and costs when needed. Their input to the trip has been very reassuring and we as a school group are looking forward to getting on the plane and experiencing Argentina and its great enthusiasm for the sport, as well as experiencing their amazing scenery and culture.

   S. Gall, Head of Sport