2017 CALLIDUS CLOUD U.S. OPEN NETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPSTM

Welcome!

Inviting all netball players, officials, and netball fans from around the globe

WELCOME to the 2017 CallidusCloud U.S. Open Netball ChampionshipsTM - the most prestigious and largest Netball event in the USA.  We are excited to hold this event in New Orleans, Louisiana this year.  It is our intention to make this event a valuable learning experience and provide you with many Netball opportunities while visiting New Orleans.  The event will be held Friday October 27th - Sunday October 29th, 2017. Registration is open to ladies, mixed and international teams.  For individuals wanting to participate we'll place you in a team. 

This event is sold out every year so I suggest you get your team deposit in early.  Also, there is a big festival on in New Orleans this same weekend, please reserve your rooms now (no deposit required).

Event price includes:

• Tournament location and hotels just 20 minutes from Louis Armstrong International Airport
• Tournament on 4 indoor netball courts - plenty of seating for players and spectators
• Court 1 - stadium seating and a jumbotron
• Netball legend Vicki Wilson, OAM will be providing coaching clinic for players and coaches
• Umpire session for players and umpires
• Travel agents to assist with group flights and transportation
• Discounted rates for event hotels
• Free global event broadcast
• Qualified umpires & scorers provided
• Nightly hotel reception at Championship hotel with complimentary appetizers & beverages
• Free breakfast and wi-fi during stay at Championship hotel
• Certified masseuses, athletic trainers and medics
• Free water and gatorade
• Injury insurance coverage for US participants 
• Event tshirts and water bottle
• Interactive app to see real time scores, upload photos and post comments
• Opportunities for Netball America to provide you with letters etc to help fundraise
• Netball trophies and medals for top 3 in each category

The registration link is below and we also ask that you consider purchasing raffle tickets for only $1 and we have great prizes from Victoria's Secret, Callaway Golf, Estee Lauder, gift cards and other great prizes.  Also, our Be An Inspiration program around the US helps provide opportunities to underserved girls, by making just a $10 tax deductible donation will go towards sponsoring 1 girl to attend this program!

Registration details are below, please email us with any questions.  Stay tuned on details through our new event website - www.USOpenNetball.com and follow us on facebook and twitter.

We look forward to a spectacular event in New Orleans in the spirit of friendly competition and good sportsmanship.

Yours in Netball,

Sonya Ottaway
President Netball America
www.netballamerica.com
e/m: president@netballamerica.com

General Information

Draft Agenda

Friday October 27th

Check-in times available.  Contact us to reserve a time.
USA University Team Training.  To be held at Alario Center. 
4 - 6 PM: Officials, Coaches & Players Clinics. Held at Alario Center.
Evening: Welcome reception and mandatory managers meeting.

Saturday October 28^th  
8.00am - 6.00pm Tournament games.

Sunday October 29^th
8.30am - 2.30pm Playoff rounds and finals. 
2.30pm - 3:00pm Closing ceremonies & award presentations.

There are 2 tournament categories: ladies and mixed.  After seeding games finish Saturday the ladies will be split into two pools - Division I and Division II.  Mixed competition will stay in one category.

Match Protocols: Appendix A 

Membership: Applies to US Participants Only
To ensure the ongoing growth and development of Netball in America and its membership base - all US participants must be registered members of Netball America.  Qualification for the membership US Open rate does not allow for breaks in membership nor does it accept participants who only intend to register as a member in order to participate at the US Open member rate.  This is not in the spirit of Netball America membership nor is it fair to those members who pay their yearly membership. 

Anyone wanting to participate in the US Open must have membership monies paid by September 30th, 2017 in order to receive the Full Club Member US Open rate.  Also, if a club/individual wants to participate and was not a paid member of Netball America in the prior year, then they will pay the non-full club member rate plus membership for the current year.  The Non-Full Club member rate also applies to those that do not register their full club as Netball America members and only register US Open participants.

International Teams:
To assist with the development and growth of Netball in America, and in consideration of the additional costs associated with accepting international teams in regards to increased insurance premiums and security requirements, International Teams/Participants will have the following entry requirements:

• To qualify for the International team/individual participant rate, international teams will be required to provide 2 officials - either 2 umpires or 1 umpire / 1 scorer for the tournament and international participants will be required to either umpire or score in order to get the reduced rate.  There will be a minimum number of games the officials will need to work.
• If international teams/participants do not want to supply officials then they pay the without official fee rate.
  

Registration:  Up to 12 players per team*:

• Each individual player or team, including coaches/managers (those sitting on the bench) are required to complete registration & pay applicable fees.
• Players may only register for one team.  Players will not be allowed to play in the ladies and mixed categories.  However players/coaches may coach teams in another category, however we can't guarantee that these teams won't be playing at the same time.
• Every team, official & volunteer to complete a registration form.
• In order for a player to qualify to play for their team in any final playoffs, the player concerned must play in at least 1 game prior to the finals, i.e. a player must play at least 1 game in the Saturday rounds.
• Every participant, official & volunteer required to complete a waiver (Appendix B).

*Teams may register more than 12 players per team, however only 12 players are allowed to be on the bench for any one game. 

Awards:  Trophies will be awarded to: 

1. Top ranked team in ladies division I
2. Top ranked team in ladies division II
3. Top ranked team in the mixed category

Other awards will be given for 2nd and 3rd place teams.

The Netball America Cup will be awarded to the top placed ladies Netball America member team.  Current title holder is CANA New York Storm.

Team Spirit Award – To one team in each category who shows outstanding sportsmanship.

Excellence in Umpiring Award - Awarded to a tournament umpire who shows outstanding qualities throughout the tournament.

First Aid:  Masseuses, EMT/medical and qualified sports medicine trainers will be onsite.  Teams required to bring own strapping tape.  If someone is required to go to the hospital then a member of their own team should accompany them.  Please do not ask any of the Netball America volunteers to transport or stay with someone at the hospital.  This is a liability issue.

Food: Free water and gatorade provided to participants.  Food & beverages will be on sale.  Drinks and food are not allowed inside the venue due to vendor contracts.  Bags checks may be conducted.  The Alario Center has the right to refuse entry to the facility and fine a participant $2,000 should any outside food or beverages be bought into the facility.

Netball Clothing & Equipment: Pre-event orders will be available.

Hotel & Transportation:  Refer Appendix C.  Note - teams are responsible for their own flights and ground transportation to/from airport and event venue.  One of the hotels we have selected below is across from the venue and you can easily walk to/from the courts each day.  . 

Registration includes: 

• Three days of Netball events
• 4 indoor netball courts with electronic scoreboards for each court
• Coaching clinic for coaches and players with Vicki Wilson
• Umpires and rules clinic
• Water/Sports hydration drinks
• Certified masseuses, EMT/medics & athletic trainers
• Qualified appointed Umpires, Scorers & other Officials
• US Insurance coverage, note international participants need to have appropriate travel insurance
• Discounted hotel rates
• Souvenir event t-shirt, waterbottle & event program
• Team photograph
• Welcome reception
• Participant gift bag

Registration Fees:

All registration fees must be paid by October 15th.  A $50 late fee per team will be applied to any payments after this date.   A team must pay a deposit in order to secure a spot in the Championships.  This deposit is non-refundable.  Teams who pay this deposit will be honored with the early bird rate until October 15th.  Any payments after October 15th will result in a $50 late fee.  

Type of Registration	Early registration (per person) (on or before Sept. 15th)	Late registration (per person) (on or after Sept. 15 - Oct 15th)
Member Rates Netball America Full Club member rate. Netball America Non-Full Club Member rate or membership paid after September 30th, 2017.	$ 100 / person   $120 / person	$ 120 / person   $140 / person
International Rates International participant (where team provides 2 officials or individual provides 1) International participant (where team/individual doesn't provide officials)	$120 / person $150 / person	$140 / person $170 / person
Non-Member Rates Non Netball America member	$150 / person	$170 / person

 

APPENDIX A – Match Protocols

All matches played according to International Rules of Netball unless otherwise indicated.

1) Time: Captains required to toss and report results to both umpires and score desk before start of game.  Game times will be set closer to tournament.

Teams will be notified when there are 30 secs and 10 secs remaining prior to the start of the game and the end of an interval.  At 10-second warning whistle, teams must move into playing positions for start/re-start of play. 

• If a team fails to take the court by the start/re-start of play, Umpire shall penalize for deliberate delaying of play
• If a team fails to take the court within 1 minute of the designated time for start/re-start of play, Umpires shall award the game to the non-offending team

2) Points:

3 points awarded for a win
1 point for a draw
0 points for a loss / forfeit

In the event of a draw, goal differences will be the first tie breaker rule.  Goal difference is calculated by the total number of goals scored minus goals conceded.  If a teams points and goal differences are equal, then goals scored will be used as a 2^nd tiebreaker with the team scoring the most goals winning.  Only finals will have additional time played for draws.  Time will be 5 minutes each way for 2 halves.  If a 2nd tie occurs then it will be the first team to lead by 2 goals.

3) Categories:  3 categories: Ladies Division I, Ladies Division II and Mixed.  Based on the number of entries it will be at tournament organizers' discretion as to any adjustment to categories and timing of games.  Each category will need a minimum of 4 teams.  Competition will be round robin.

4) Officials: Umpires and scorers will be allocated to matches by tournament Director of Umpiring according to performance.  Umpires are required to have at least a national B grade Netball America badge, unless otherwise approved.  International umpires are welcome and may contact us.   Umpires will be provided with a tournament umpire uniform to wear.

Umpires, scorers, timers wishing to officiate can apply here.  Include qualifications and experience.   Umpires wishing to be scheduled for a practical test should email us. 

5) Teams:  Players can only register in one category. A mixed team must have a minimum of 1 male player and may have up to a maximum of 3 male players on court.  The males will need to spread out (1 as GS,GA; 1 as either C,WA,WD; and 1 as GK,GD).  Teams cannot have 2 males playing GS/GA or GK/GD at the same time.  Only registered coaches/managers are allowed on the team bench. 

6) Scorer/Timer: Each court will have its own individual scoring system and courts will run on a central timer.

7)  Injury Time: Due to running a central timer no additional time played for injury stoppage.

8) Alcohol Policy:  Regulations do not permit consumption of alcoholic beverages in public areas.

9) Tobacco Policy: Smoking tobacco and carrying lit tobacco products is prohibited in all building.  Smoking must be at least 25 feet of building entrances/exits.

10) Animals Prohibited: Only properly trained & certified service animals are allowed inside.

The decision of the tournament organizers' shall be final and without appeal.

APPENDIX B – Waiver

Click here to download the event acknowledgement and release waivers.  These waivers must be signed by every participant, volunteer and official at the U.S. Open Netball Championships.  We would prefer to receive these back in advance.  Please email copies to USOpen@NetballAmerica.com.

All information on the waiver must be completed.  If any infomration is missing the waiver will not be accepted and the person may not take the court until all information is completed.

APPENDIX C – TRAVEL INFORMATION Hotel Information We have 2 hotels to select from and details are below.  There is a festival on the same weekend we suggest you reserve your hotel room now otherwise you may be paying a higher rate. HOTEL OPTION 1 Best Western Plus, 1700 Lapalco Blvd, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058 Hotel is 30 mins from airport, 15 mins from downtown New Orleans and 15 mins from tournament venue. Tournament Rate: $125 per night plus taxes.  Rate includes up to 4 adults. BOOK HOTEL OPTION 1 ONLINE or call CALL +18007807234 and ask to book under the group - US Open Netball Championships.  Should your date not show as available or you want to arrive earlier/stay later than the dates shown then please contact us at USOpen@NetballAmerica.com as this means our room block is full.  Please do not contact hotel asking to expand the room block.  Tournament rate includes free breakfast, free wifi and free parking. Hotel amenities include indoor pool, jazuzzi, bar and restaurants. Rooms include microwave and fridge.   HOTEL OPTION 2 Best Western Bayou, 9008 Westbank Expressway, Westwego, LA, 70094 Hotel is 20 mins from airport, 20 mins from downtown New Orleans and right across the road from tournament venue (you can walk there). Tournament Rate: $115 per night plus taxes.  To book this hotel you need to call the hotel directly and ask for the US Open Netball Championships rate.  +15043047980.   Should your date not show as available or you want to arrive earlier/stay later than the dates shown then please contact us at USOpen@NetballAmerica.com as this means our room block is full.  Please do not contact hotel asking to expand the room block.  Tournament rate includes free breakfast, free wifi and free parking. Hotel amenities include outdoor pool.  Note - there is no restaurant, in-room dining onsite.  You would need to order takeout or walk to limited take-out restaurants nearby. Rooms include microwave and fridge. FLIGHT INFORMATION The closest airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. International Teams For teams coming from Oceana region (Australia, NZ, Fiji) please contact our Qantas representative for quotes (you can ask to match quotes as well): Rozelle - Rozellet@QantasVacations.com For US and other international teams contact Tania O'Donoghue Tania.ODonoghue@stageandscreen.travel or call her at +12136222798+12136222798 .

Tania can find the best flight deals and book your group flights - so this will save you money as well as a lot of admin work.  In addition to group flights they can help with hotels or ground transportation.    TRANSPORTATION Everyone is responsible for their own transportation to/from hotel and to/from tournament venue.

APPENDIX D – ANTHEM

The Star Spangled Banner - Francis Scott Key 1814

Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Register Now!