"Moseley have been asked to host a youth team from California USA, Dixon RFC, who are undertaking a short tour of this country in April. In order to make the trip affordable to all participants, Dixon have asked if their players (about 20 in number and aged between 16 and 18) could be hosted by families connected with Moseley for two nights. The most likely dates are Monday 2nd April and Tuesday 3rd April, which would allow a Colts XV comprising of players in the current U16 - U18 age bands to play a match against the touring team on the Tuesday evening. We are therefore appealing to any of the Moseley family who have the capacity at home and are willing to 'billet' a young player for those two nights, to contact us so that we can gauge the feasibility of this approach. Obviously this is most relevant to families with players in the current Mini, Junior and Youth arms of our club but it would be extremely helpful if families from the wider spectrum of our organisation could also assist. If you feel that you can help please contact Simon Bartlett, who is initially coordinating this from our end, at moseleycolts@virginmedia.com or through the club office 0121 443 3631. Many thanks in advance for your help!"
Further to my earlier messages and message board posts, I have received confirmation that the touring team from California, Dixon RFC will be arriving in Birmingham on Monday 2nd April and staying for 2 nights. We (probably as an U18 game) will be hosting them for a match on Tuesday 3rd April. To date, I have had three offers of billets as a result of earlier posts. Clearly this is not enough to accommodate a tour party of 23 players (coaches and accompanying adults are staying in local hotels). Consequently, I would like to reinforce my earlier request for volunteers to provide somewhere for these young players to stay on the nights of Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd? We will be providing a post-match meal on the Tuesday night but the players will need to be fed at the billets for dinner/ supper on Monday and for breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will also need to be collected from (Monday/ Tuesday evening) and dropped to (Tuesday/ Wednesday morning) the rugby club. I am assured by the tour organisers and by people associated with Moseley Rugby who have contacts with them, that these are well-behaved youngsters who will not discredit themselves, or their club in any way.
I appreciate that this is a lot to ask of the volunteer helpers but if we cannot provide the players with this assistance it will seriously affect their ability to undertake this leg of their tour. In fact, I would go so far as to say that if we cannot find enough billets, the Moseley section of their trip will not take place. Most of these players are not from privileged backgrounds and hotel accommodation is beyond their financial capabilities.
This tour has the full support of our club executive and as such does not simply rely on the capabilities of youth and junior sections to host overseas visitors. This request goes out, therefore, to the Moseley Rugby community in its entirety. If you are able to offer two nights’ accommodation as described, please contact me directly via moseleycolts@virginmedia.com (preferred) or through the club office info@moseleyrugby.co.uk. An early response would be appreciated.