Bring It Live

Europe

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2016 Global Challenge Update

IMG_5431It’s that time of year again and we’re officially counting down to the 12th Annual 2016 Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia to take place on July 5th – 16th, 2016.  Volleyball teams from all over the world are packing their bags to compete in an international tournament on the edge of the Adriatic Sea where 3,000 year old Roman ruins highlight Croatia’s dramatic history.  The tournament will kick off with an opening ceremony for all international teams at one of the last remaining fully intact Roman Colosseums in the world dating back to 68 AD.

Here’s a breakdown of the teams competing in this year’s tournament. You’ll find complete team rosters for the USA teams by clicking on the team name below.  You can also catch hourly tournament results on the Global Challenge tournament website here: http://bringitusa.com/gc2016.

U22 Brijuni Division

International  Teams

  • Nova KBM Branik Juniors, Slovenia (U22)
  • BFTM-Falconara Juniors, Italy (U22)
  • Hungary Federation (U22 team)
  • Russian Federation  (U19)
  • Croatian Federation (U22)
  • England Federation (U22)
  • Chinese National Team (U19)

USA teams

U17 Istria Division

International Teams 

  • Ok  Pula, Youth, Croatia (U17)
  • Hungary Youth A National Team, Hungary (U17)
  • Hungary Youth B National Team, Hungary (U17)
  • NKBM Branik, Maribor, Slovenia Team (U17)
  • Selezione Modena, Italy Juniors (U17)
  • Slovenian Federation (U17)

USA Teams

 For more information, click here to visit the Global Challenge tournament website.  Or follow us on social media. 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bringitusaglobalchallenge

Twitter: www.twitter.com/12thGC

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11th Annual European New Year’s Bash

NYE Esmoriz Tournament When most volleyball players and coaches were still recovering from holiday festivities and pondering their New Year’s resolutions, a select few kicked off 2016 with an international volleyball bash in Portugal and Spain.

Since 2004, BIP veteran and retired University of Montevallo head coach, CJ Sherman has recruited and hand crafted under 16, 18 & 22 year-old teams to play volleyball in an annual tournament on European soil. After spending 9 days in Europe with CJ and her delegation on the 11th annual New Year’s Bash, it’s easy to see why this tour is such a smashing hit each year.

photo credit // CJ Sherman
photo credit // CJ Sherman

City squares are filled with seasonal markets, twinkling lights and holiday parades. Volleyball competition in unique towns offer otherwise impossible cultural exchanges between players and coaches. And the holiday delicacies served at the dinner table each night are simply irresistible.

Danielle Gotham, assistant volleyball coach at Tennessee Tech and co-coach of the collegiate NYB team, had to this to say about the experience, “Yes this trip was about our passion for volleyball, but you get so much more out of it. Traveling to a foreign country, seeing how other people live, and their day to day activities is something you’ll never fully understand. We get a big taste of it on these trips. Your mind will open from visiting all of these places, and can learn way more than you think. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”Cathedral

While gorgeous cathedrals, stunning natural landscapes and diverse cuisine are expected on all foreign volleyball tours to Europe with Bring It USA, the hospitality and genuine warmth of the local volleyball players, coaches and fans at the New Year’s Tournament in Esmoriz, Portugal exceeded all expectations.  As the girls traded jerseys after each match, email addresses and Instagram accounts were also exchanged to ensure continued communication in hopes for future “friendly matches” and meet-ups overseas.

Coach CJ summed up the mutual feelings perfectly after the final match in Madrid, “There’s tears at the end of every tour.”  

Every year a mix of individual volleyball players from across the US travel abroad to play together in this holiday tournament.  Each year the players return home as a united team, wiser and more experienced from the foreign cultures they embraced.  

The 2016-2017 New Year’s Bash will return to Sicily, Reggio, Fondi and Rome.  Roll your sleeves up for another amazing adventure.  

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Frequently Asked Questions for Travel to Europe

BIP EuropeIf you’re thinking about taking your volleyball team on a foreign tour to Europe, you’ll want to thoroughly read the answers to these commonly asked questions.  All of our tours are customized to suit the needs and desires of your program, but the answers to these questions will give you a general idea of what to expect when you travel to Europe with Bring It Promotions.

Are meals included on tour?

Yes! On tour your team will be provided 3 meals per day. If anyone in your group has any food allergies please let us know before you arrive because all the meals are pre-ordered to suit large groups. We intentionally seek out unique restaurants offering delicious local cuisine for you to experience the flavor of the host country. We also try to integrate meals with foreign teams as much as possible. Your team will get the opportunity to share meals with local volleyball players and coaches to learn more about their culture and make life long friendships.

What type of hotel accommodations can I expect on tour?

We typically offer centrally located 3-4 star hotel accommodations. All of our hotels are vetted, safe, clean, and well situated for playing matches and sightseeing.

Will there be a local guide with the team at all times?

Yes! An english speaking BIP guide will be with your team throughout the entire duration of the tour.  We guarantee your guide will have a volleyball background.

What items are not included in the price?

The price does not include your airfare or country visas if any apply. Visa’s are not required for US residents in most European countries.

How far in advance do we need to book a tour?

We recommend contacting us at least six months to 1 year before the trip starts.  This provides us time to arrange the matches, organize ground transportation and reserve hotels.

How will we travel around?

Between most major European cities and countries the team will travel together in a van or privately chartered bus. Depending on your destination and travel route, teams also may travel by train (Eurorail) or the local metro for intercity destinations. Traveling by train or metro will probably be one of the trip highlights for your players.  

How do I book group plane tickets and does BIP help with airfare?

We do not normally assist with booking airfare for team travel, however we can if needed. Once you’re ready to investigate airfare, we recommend that you start by checking with Delta and United Groups  fares. Their group ticketing services have the best prices and flexible regulations between them. We won’t be able to get better prices than those offered by the airline group booking agents. You can make a reservation for $100 per person and it is typically refundable, therefore it is worth investigating even before you’re 100% ready to book your tickets.

Do we need travel insurance?

We always suggest travel insurance for all participants in accordance with our insurance company. We do not provide travel insurance, but suggest that all participants look into the idea. Its often affordable and certainly worth it if there are any issues with the trip or baggage associated with the trip.

Will we have access to wifi throughout the trip?

We try to make sure that all hotels have access to wifi, however some tours travel to remote destinations with limited internet access.  We encourage players to try to detach from technology and enjoy the time with their team while traveling.

Will I need a power adapter?

Power adapters are required for travel to all  European countries, as well as most of our international destinations. Your cell phone, computers and tablets will need an outlet adapter. Be sure to check the electrical adapter requirements for each country prior to travel.

Will my cell phone work overseas?

To avoid extraordinary costs, be sure to check your international rate plan with your cell phone provider.  During travel, also be sure to turn your roaming off and use an apps like Skype or Apple’s FaceTime to call. Also limit the use of your smart phone to areas locations that have wifi when possible to save money.

BIP help with fundraising?

No, sorry but it’s not feasible for us to assist each team with fundraising however we have created a guide with ‘8 Proven Strategies to Help you Fundraise for your Foreign Tour’ included in our Ultimate Guide to International Volleyball. Download your free guide to International Volleyball here. 

What level volleyball can we expect?

We will match the level of your team. We can accommodate teams of any age and level.  You pick the number of matches and/or practices that you want on tour and we’ll arrange it for your team.

I’m ready to sign my team up! What are the next steps? 

Excellent! Contact us today to organize your custom volleyball tour.  And be sure to grab our free guide to International Volleyball here.