Anyone with experience of mini/junior rugby tours?

[10forKicks]

A group of us have been asked to organise a rugby tour for our mini/junior rugby team. They will be U11s next season.

This is new to us and most of the experience seems to be either parents of much older kids or the men that only have tales of beer, forfeits, beer, fines and getting naked - perhaps not quite what we're looking for for 11year olds...

Has anyone had any experience to share? What was the rough itinerary? What's worked well, what didn't work? Where did you stay? How do you keep everyone occupied all weekend (apart from the actual rugby playing))? Can you do it on your own or is it better to use one of the tour companies?

All experiences gratefully received

We went on one last year to Skegness . We arrived Friday , Saturday the club had organised discount theme park tickets , fancy dress on the Saturday night . Rugby Sunday and back to the pub . Home Monday

The club were all on the same site . If you contact the site directly , state the purpose of your visit they will allocate a number of accommodation we always book via our club rather then the site .

I have organised many of these over the year’s as 2 of my boy’s played rugby. I always organised it myself using a tour company worked out more expensive as they charged per person rather than per unit. All the main uk caravan companies have a group booking section, so email or ring them give them a rough idea of dates usually Fri-Mon breaks and areas you want to go and they will give you prices for varying caravan grades. Rugby usually played on the Sunday against a local side. Saturday spent on the beach with team games and BBQ’s or picnic then Saturday night themed fancy dress at site clubhouse. No more tours for me as my eldest is now with Youth team and tours are just the boy’s and coaches not family.

Our local club has taken kids down to Skern Lodge (an activities centre)
www.skernlodge.co.uk/youth-groups

I remember the parents who accompanied the trip commenting that it was such a pleasure not having to organise the children all the time. They also found it a lot easier to have the children on a dedicated site rather than a Travelodge-type place accessible to the public. I think it was more expensive though.

I guess Youth Hostels would be an idea too (DD did a hockey tour and stayed at one). Or PGL? www.pgl.co.uk/en-gb/group-residentials/sports-clubs/courses/rugby-weekends
DD sometimes goes away with an old friend and loves it.

If a rugby tour is anything like a hockey one, there is very little...rugby. DD has gone tenpin bowling, did high ropes, surfing, boat trip, sandcastle competition, rockpooling, laser tag. I think she painted some pottery too.

They also ate out at places like TGI Fridays/Ben & Jerries (presumably because even fussy eaters will find something to eat).