Training Camp – Information for Parents

Players do not need a phone and we recommend not bringing a phone. Players who do bring a mobile phone must keep it in their room at all times and all phones will be collected in before bedtime. Players will get an opportunity to use their phone in the evening if they wish to call home before bedtime.

Can players choose who they share a room with?

The rooms are a mixture of sizes with the majority being single rooms. Parents should therefore be aware that the vast majority of players will be staying in their own room. Some houses have a small number of dorms or twin rooms available. Players can only share with their team mates. We expect players to be willing to share with anyone in their team and we therefore don’t take requests for sharing with players they already know. We know it’s daunting going on a residential camp and being away from home, but all the players are at an age where they should be capable of stepping out of their comfort zone, making new friends and meeting new people. For those that don’t yet have that confidence, the Camp is a great way to start building this important life skill.

I’m worried about my child being away from home.

The coaches are aware that being away from home can be daunting. It’s important that those players worried about being away are encouraged to make as many new friends as possible. The coaching staff do plenty of team bonding activities and monitor the group to look for anyone not joining in.

Make sure to read our Homesickness page for information on how we deal with this and our guidance for parents.

Is there an Emergency Phone?

Yes. If parents need to make contact with a member of staff at the Camp then they can call or text an Emergency Number. This will be made available to parents just before the Camp.

Bedwetting – I’m worried my child will wet the bed

If you let us know then we can ask Tonbridge School to fit a mattress protector onto their bed.

For the Gothia cup, we advise packing a spare sleeping bag if possible or blanket and a mattress protector to fit on the players bed. Depending on the players age, you may decide for them to wear pull-ups during the trip.

If you let us know of this issue then we can inform their Coach and instruct them to discreetly check their bed each morning.

Will an itinerary for the Camp be available?

Yes an itinerary will be published nearer to the Camp but here is a sample Camp itinerary.

My players kit hasn’t arrived in time?

If you do not have the Prep Schools kit, players should wear plain black/ navy neutral sportswear and can bring along their school or club kit. Just a reminder that replica kit is not acceptable as playing kit.

Medication

All medication should be clearly labelled with the name of the player and dosage instructions. If you do not have the original packaging, please put the medication in a sandwich bag with a sticky label/ sheet attached with all the information. You may wish to go through the information with the Coach directly at drop-off.

EpiPens and Allergies

The catering team at Tonbridge have been given a list of all players with food allergies and dietary requirements as completed on the Players’ Registration Form at the start of the season.

All EpiPen users need to carry their EpiPen on them at all times, parents will also need to provide a second EpiPen to their Coach. Please remember to bring two EpiPens to the Camp.

My child has specific medical needs, who do I speak to?

A summary of medical notes including allergies, cardiac history and medications are included on the Coaches register. This information is from the original registration form you completed. If these details need updating, please Contact Us (using the form on the homepage). If you need to explain anything further, this should be done directly with your coach at drop-off, ideally accompanied with a written note.

Are parents allowed at the Camp or to watch?

Parents are not allowed to spectate the coaching or see the players during the camp (except in medical situations). This is because Tonbridge School do not allow spectators on site. of course the purpose of Camp is for the players to bond with their teammates and to develop their independence away from their parents. The Camp helps develop responsibilities like packing their own bags, keeping to a routine and speaking up to the Coach if they need anything, which is all great practice for when they travel to the Gothia Cup. If players message you with an issue, please ask them to speak to their Coach!

Can I speak to my son/daughter at the Camp?

Players are allowed to bring a mobile phone and will have a little bit of time in the evening to call their parents before phones are collected in before bedtime. Don’t worry if you do not hear from your son/daughter, in our experience once the Camp is underway calling their parents is not a priority! Don’t forget that if there are any emergencies the Coach has your phone number to contact you.

My child wants to bring their iPhone, iPod or iPad. Is this a good idea?

We strongly suggest not taking any expensive valuables. Whilst we have never had a security issue at the School, players do leave/forget things and taking valuable items is not recommended.

Players do not need to bring a mobile phone to the camp and will have very limited opportunities to use them. If they do bring one, we advise against bringing a smartphone. Phones have to be kept in their own room and cannot be used outside of their own room. All tech will be collected in during the evenings and we strongly encourage players to socialise with their team and participate in the team evening activities instead of using their phone.

My son/daughter can’t attend the recommended Camp. Can they attend the other one?

Absolutely! That’s why we run camps over different dates. They’ll end up knowing even more people than everyone else once they get to Gothia! The coaching is based on developing individual skills so there is no need to worry about missing out on team-coaching, we’ll do this in Gothenburg on the weekend before the Gothia Cup starts.