GSM Events
Murray State University Goes to January 9-15, 2011
Murray State University Women’s Team Goes To Jamaica
GSM International is excited to have an opportunity to provide Murray State University Women’s Soccer Team, their coaching staff and other travel party members to join us on one of our International Soccer Tours to Jamaica. This tour will provide your team with the chance to experience the game of football (soccer) at the international level while being immersed into a culture unique in their soccer history, the passion they have for the game and the openness to receive and play soccer teams from the USA. Besides playing international matches, you may wish to have your team involved in a humanitarian effort or outreach soccer opportunities which can be available. These could include running a youth soccer outreach clinics lead by GSM staff at partnering orphanages. Along with the chance to improve personal player and team quality of play, community outreach efforts with GSM the chance to enjoy “the sights” and learn about the country and its culture will be available as. We hope that this experience will impact the lives of those in Jamaica as well as your team as we prepare together and have you look forward to being in the beautiful Island of Jamaica in this coming January 2011. GSM International thanks you for the opportunity to work with Murray State University Women’s Soccer Team and staff.
Accommodations
While staying in Kingston your teams will be accommodated by the hotel service below and if you choose to spend time out side Kingston we would have you stay in Ocho Rios:
Altamont Court Hotel (Kingston) - www.altamontcourt.com
One of the safest and cleanest hotels in New Kingston, the Altamont Court Hotel is an intimate hotel, located beside Hilton Kingston Hotel. This hotel host 58 rooms, all with A/C, direct dialing telephone, fire suppression system, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, electronic door locks, safety deposit box, wireless internet (from anywhere on property), two double beds, triple beds or one king sized four poster bed, cable TV, and balconies (most rooms). Full service restaurant-international fare, swimming pool, Jacuzzi whirlpool, pool bar, conference rooms, 24 hour security, 24 hour front desk, 24 hour snack corner (for purchasing snacks and beverages), and recommended by Conde Nast Traveler, Rough Guides, American Airlines. Hotel staff is friendly and accommodating. Visitors are in walking distance (five minutes) to everything - banks, cinemas, embassies, discos, fast food and other restaurants.
Rooms on the Beach (Ocho Rios- North Coast) - www.roomsonthebeach.com
Located on the beach in Ocho Rios on Jamaica's north coast, just five minutes from the worlds famous Dunn’s River Falls and within walking distance of the best shopping and night life in Ocho Rios, Rooms serves travelers who only want a place to hang their hat (so long as it is beautifully furnished, with ultra-modern bath, and a pool and bar on site. Rooms on the Beach is located within walking distance of duty free shops, boutiques, gift shops, food stores and the craft market.
3 quality meals will be provided each day by your hotel (Breakfast) and off campus vendors for lunch and dinner throughout your stay while staying in Kingston. While staying on the North Coast this would be the same if you so choose to go this route.
Opportunity to visit Jamaica’s lovely beaches on the north coast and Jamaican Caribbean attractions is available and arranged in accordance with team interest.
Jamaica Trip Itinerary
Upon arrival to Jamaica, teams will be assembled and introduced to Baris Johnson Director of GSM Soccer to Jamaica. Baris will be working with your team to manage your GSM Tour. Assisting Baris will be Gregory Hall. Baris is an ex-international men’s national team player for the Reggae Boyz team in the 94’ World Cup. Gregory is and ex- national team player and has represented his country as a goalkeeper.
A Typical Day Might (but is not limited to) Include:
• Morning & Evening Bonding Individual Team Time
• Outreach humanitarian efforts with GSM Staff at the Mustard Seed Ministry partnering orphanage to do a work project and love on the kids.
• You will also be going to an orphanage called Maxwell Park Children’s Home (for Girls) to do a work project and assist our staff working with boys in a soccer clinic. These agencies are our partnering group for visit teams.
Note: Maxwell Park Girl’s Children's Home is the largest and the oldest home in Jamaica, and serves as a place of safety for many children who have been abandoned or otherwise made homeless. There are currently one hundred and thirty three youth of all ages residing at the Mayfield Park Children’s Home in Kingston, Jamaica. The School is funded by charitable donations and subvention from the Government. These monies are hardly enough. The school itself sits on 6 1/2 acres of land which is divided into three (3) sections: Joliffe House - serves as a nursery for children from birth to six (6) years. Backhouse - serves as a place of safety and home for boys and girls six (6) years and over. God's House Four - contained Units with each accommodating sixteen (16) children.
• Friendly matches against ladies All-Star teams from the Kingston St. Andrews Football Association and a Ladies Senior Club match with Sherman Williams 2010 Champion Barbican Ladies FC.
• We will make an effort to try to put together high school and club players ages 18-20 so you can either watch them play and select an all start to player your team or we could pre-select a good team to play your team as an opportunity to recruit girls. We’ll make an effort on this and also to see that they could be qualifiers under the NCAA rules.
• Sight-seeing in Kingston at Bob Marley Museums, University of West Indies main Campus, Heroes Square local craft market and Hillshire Beach, on the way to the North Coast through the beautiful island of Jamaica and while on the north coast in and around the Ocho Rios area. Visiting a local crafts marketing in Ocho Rios and a possible trip to famous Dunn’s River Falls.
• Team Practice/Training Time as needed.
• Local dinning cuisine in restaurants or eatery places.
• Evening Team Activities
Trip Dates
January 9 - Sunday – Arrival in Kingston Jamaica in the morning at Norman Manley International Airport. By the time you go through Customs and get your luggage it should be about 1:00 PM. You will meet Director of GSM Jamaica and Baris Johnson or another staff member Gregory Hall, who will be your chaperons wile in Jamaica. You are expected to get through customs, secure your luggage and check out of the airport in one hour at max. Make sure everyone has up to date passports.
Our staff will be just outside the airport entrance door. The staff will be wearing red Adidas polo’s. You will be escorted to your bus meet our bus driver George Graham and to head to your Kingston Hotel, Altamont Court Hotel, to settle into rooms. Once settled in you will go through an orientation program and ask any questions at hotel. We will set-up an afternoon match with selected lady Jamaican players for potential recruit for you to observe. Your group can attend this and meet these players. This can be a chance for you, your staff and players to share about MSU soccer and university. A late supper will be out on the town and an evening activity planned for your team and our staff. It’s possible to attend a local premiership evening match and back to the hotel to enjoy the hotel swimming pool and your evening free time.
January 10 - Monday – Breakfast at your hotel. Your team will take an AM sight seeing tour of Kingston to the Bob Marley Museum and then to the University of West Indies. Lunch out on the town. In the afternoon your group will be working with boys and girl’s ages 6-11 years and will be assisted by our GSM Coaching Staff at the Maxwell Girls Home in Kingston. Your team will be playing in an afternoon mini show case tournament Matches vs. Barbican FC Division 1 Women’s Team and two a chosen All-star Ladies team that you and our staff can choose from the ladies match you watched Sunday. This will be held at Waterhouse FC mini stadium. Our staff will help coach these ladies side and work with you if you’re interested in player recruits. You will be provided with several senior level women to help your team play 11 vs. 11 matches. You can fellowship and share after the matches with the opposing ladies and then back to the hotel and then supper out on the town. If these players are available you might want them to join your team in the match scheduled for your trip. Enjoy the hotel swimming pool.
January 11 - Tuesday – Breakfast at your hotel. AM humanitarian efforts this will be light painting and clean up work project at the Mustard Seed Community Children’s Orphanage and love on the kids. Lunch out on the town. PM at the YWCA Home for Girl’s or back to the Maxwell Home for Girl’s with our GSM host staff. This will be a soccer clinic/match time for the girls organized by our GSM coaching staff. Supper out on the town. Team time together discussing the day’s events. Enjoy the hotel swimming pool.
January 12 - Wednesday – Breakfast at your hotel. Morning of local sight seeing at Heroes Square, visit a local craft market and Hope Gardens. Lunch out on the town. Afternoon tournament Matches vs. an All-Star Team from potential recruits and Barbican Division 1Women’s Team with some fellowship and sharing after the match with ladies. Back to the hotel and late supper out on the town. Team time together discussing the day’s events. Enjoy the hotel swimming pool
January 13 - Thursday – Breakfast at your hotel. Check out from your Kingston Hotel about 10:00 AM. Depart with our GSM Staff for the North Coast by bus and enjoy the beauty of the island as you travel. You'll have a ‘Traditional Jamaican Jerk Chicken Meal’ on the way to your next hotel stay. Check into your hotel by 2:00 PM. Enjoy the white sand beaches at Room on the Beach Resort. Supper out on the town. Team time together discussing the day’s events and enjoy the evening activities at the hotel.
January 14 – Friday – Breakfast at your hotel. Morning on the beach at the hotel or enjoying the beaches, local crafts markets, or take your team in the AM to famous Dunns River Falls or the resort community of Ocho Rios. The cost for walking up the falls is $10-15 which is to be paid by your group if you wish to go. Lunch out on the town. Enjoy lunch in a resort restaurant in Ocho Rios. Free time to enjoy the white sand beaches. Back to the hotel and ready for your last evening meal together out on the town. Team time together discussing the day’s events. Enjoy the last night at hotel beach and evening swimming.
January 15 Saturday – After breakfast your team will spend their last day in Jamaica enjoy the beach and the craft market for last minute shopping in Ocho Rios. You will check out of the hotel at 12:00 Noon and return to Kingston to fly back to the USA for a departure from Kingston at Norman Manley International Airport. You will be escorted from your north coast hotel to the airport with 3.5 hours before your departure. The drive will be about 3 hours.
GSM International is excited to have an opportunity to provide Murray State University Women’s Soccer Team, their coaching staff and other travel party members to join us on one of our International Soccer Tours to Jamaica. This tour will provide your team with the chance to experience the game of football (soccer) at the international level while being immersed into a culture unique in their soccer history, the passion they have for the game and the openness to receive and play soccer teams from the USA. Besides playing international matches, you may wish to have your team involved in a humanitarian effort or outreach soccer opportunities which can be available. These could include running a youth soccer outreach clinics lead by GSM staff at partnering orphanages. Along with the chance to improve personal player and team quality of play, community outreach efforts with GSM the chance to enjoy “the sights” and learn about the country and its culture will be available as. We hope that this experience will impact the lives of those in Jamaica as well as your team as we prepare together and have you look forward to being in the beautiful Island of Jamaica in this coming January 2011. GSM International thanks you for the opportunity to work with Murray State University Women’s Soccer Team and staff.
Accommodations
While staying in Kingston your teams will be accommodated by the hotel service below and if you choose to spend time out side Kingston we would have you stay in Ocho Rios:
Altamont Court Hotel (Kingston) - www.altamontcourt.com
One of the safest and cleanest hotels in New Kingston, the Altamont Court Hotel is an intimate hotel, located beside Hilton Kingston Hotel. This hotel host 58 rooms, all with A/C, direct dialing telephone, fire suppression system, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, electronic door locks, safety deposit box, wireless internet (from anywhere on property), two double beds, triple beds or one king sized four poster bed, cable TV, and balconies (most rooms). Full service restaurant-international fare, swimming pool, Jacuzzi whirlpool, pool bar, conference rooms, 24 hour security, 24 hour front desk, 24 hour snack corner (for purchasing snacks and beverages), and recommended by Conde Nast Traveler, Rough Guides, American Airlines. Hotel staff is friendly and accommodating. Visitors are in walking distance (five minutes) to everything - banks, cinemas, embassies, discos, fast food and other restaurants.
Rooms on the Beach (Ocho Rios- North Coast) - www.roomsonthebeach.com
Located on the beach in Ocho Rios on Jamaica's north coast, just five minutes from the worlds famous Dunn’s River Falls and within walking distance of the best shopping and night life in Ocho Rios, Rooms serves travelers who only want a place to hang their hat (so long as it is beautifully furnished, with ultra-modern bath, and a pool and bar on site. Rooms on the Beach is located within walking distance of duty free shops, boutiques, gift shops, food stores and the craft market.
3 quality meals will be provided each day by your hotel (Breakfast) and off campus vendors for lunch and dinner throughout your stay while staying in Kingston. While staying on the North Coast this would be the same if you so choose to go this route.
Opportunity to visit Jamaica’s lovely beaches on the north coast and Jamaican Caribbean attractions is available and arranged in accordance with team interest.
Jamaica Trip Itinerary
Upon arrival to Jamaica, teams will be assembled and introduced to Baris Johnson Director of GSM Soccer to Jamaica. Baris will be working with your team to manage your GSM Tour. Assisting Baris will be Gregory Hall. Baris is an ex-international men’s national team player for the Reggae Boyz team in the 94’ World Cup. Gregory is and ex- national team player and has represented his country as a goalkeeper.
A Typical Day Might (but is not limited to) Include:
• Morning & Evening Bonding Individual Team Time
• Outreach humanitarian efforts with GSM Staff at the Mustard Seed Ministry partnering orphanage to do a work project and love on the kids.
• You will also be going to an orphanage called Maxwell Park Children’s Home (for Girls) to do a work project and assist our staff working with boys in a soccer clinic. These agencies are our partnering group for visit teams.
Note: Maxwell Park Girl’s Children's Home is the largest and the oldest home in Jamaica, and serves as a place of safety for many children who have been abandoned or otherwise made homeless. There are currently one hundred and thirty three youth of all ages residing at the Mayfield Park Children’s Home in Kingston, Jamaica. The School is funded by charitable donations and subvention from the Government. These monies are hardly enough. The school itself sits on 6 1/2 acres of land which is divided into three (3) sections: Joliffe House - serves as a nursery for children from birth to six (6) years. Backhouse - serves as a place of safety and home for boys and girls six (6) years and over. God's House Four - contained Units with each accommodating sixteen (16) children.
• Friendly matches against ladies All-Star teams from the Kingston St. Andrews Football Association and a Ladies Senior Club match with Sherman Williams 2010 Champion Barbican Ladies FC.
• We will make an effort to try to put together high school and club players ages 18-20 so you can either watch them play and select an all start to player your team or we could pre-select a good team to play your team as an opportunity to recruit girls. We’ll make an effort on this and also to see that they could be qualifiers under the NCAA rules.
• Sight-seeing in Kingston at Bob Marley Museums, University of West Indies main Campus, Heroes Square local craft market and Hillshire Beach, on the way to the North Coast through the beautiful island of Jamaica and while on the north coast in and around the Ocho Rios area. Visiting a local crafts marketing in Ocho Rios and a possible trip to famous Dunn’s River Falls.
• Team Practice/Training Time as needed.
• Local dinning cuisine in restaurants or eatery places.
• Evening Team Activities
Trip Dates
January 9 - Sunday – Arrival in Kingston Jamaica in the morning at Norman Manley International Airport. By the time you go through Customs and get your luggage it should be about 1:00 PM. You will meet Director of GSM Jamaica and Baris Johnson or another staff member Gregory Hall, who will be your chaperons wile in Jamaica. You are expected to get through customs, secure your luggage and check out of the airport in one hour at max. Make sure everyone has up to date passports.
Our staff will be just outside the airport entrance door. The staff will be wearing red Adidas polo’s. You will be escorted to your bus meet our bus driver George Graham and to head to your Kingston Hotel, Altamont Court Hotel, to settle into rooms. Once settled in you will go through an orientation program and ask any questions at hotel. We will set-up an afternoon match with selected lady Jamaican players for potential recruit for you to observe. Your group can attend this and meet these players. This can be a chance for you, your staff and players to share about MSU soccer and university. A late supper will be out on the town and an evening activity planned for your team and our staff. It’s possible to attend a local premiership evening match and back to the hotel to enjoy the hotel swimming pool and your evening free time.
January 10 - Monday – Breakfast at your hotel. Your team will take an AM sight seeing tour of Kingston to the Bob Marley Museum and then to the University of West Indies. Lunch out on the town. In the afternoon your group will be working with boys and girl’s ages 6-11 years and will be assisted by our GSM Coaching Staff at the Maxwell Girls Home in Kingston. Your team will be playing in an afternoon mini show case tournament Matches vs. Barbican FC Division 1 Women’s Team and two a chosen All-star Ladies team that you and our staff can choose from the ladies match you watched Sunday. This will be held at Waterhouse FC mini stadium. Our staff will help coach these ladies side and work with you if you’re interested in player recruits. You will be provided with several senior level women to help your team play 11 vs. 11 matches. You can fellowship and share after the matches with the opposing ladies and then back to the hotel and then supper out on the town. If these players are available you might want them to join your team in the match scheduled for your trip. Enjoy the hotel swimming pool.
January 11 - Tuesday – Breakfast at your hotel. AM humanitarian efforts this will be light painting and clean up work project at the Mustard Seed Community Children’s Orphanage and love on the kids. Lunch out on the town. PM at the YWCA Home for Girl’s or back to the Maxwell Home for Girl’s with our GSM host staff. This will be a soccer clinic/match time for the girls organized by our GSM coaching staff. Supper out on the town. Team time together discussing the day’s events. Enjoy the hotel swimming pool.
January 12 - Wednesday – Breakfast at your hotel. Morning of local sight seeing at Heroes Square, visit a local craft market and Hope Gardens. Lunch out on the town. Afternoon tournament Matches vs. an All-Star Team from potential recruits and Barbican Division 1Women’s Team with some fellowship and sharing after the match with ladies. Back to the hotel and late supper out on the town. Team time together discussing the day’s events. Enjoy the hotel swimming pool
January 13 - Thursday – Breakfast at your hotel. Check out from your Kingston Hotel about 10:00 AM. Depart with our GSM Staff for the North Coast by bus and enjoy the beauty of the island as you travel. You'll have a ‘Traditional Jamaican Jerk Chicken Meal’ on the way to your next hotel stay. Check into your hotel by 2:00 PM. Enjoy the white sand beaches at Room on the Beach Resort. Supper out on the town. Team time together discussing the day’s events and enjoy the evening activities at the hotel.
January 14 – Friday – Breakfast at your hotel. Morning on the beach at the hotel or enjoying the beaches, local crafts markets, or take your team in the AM to famous Dunns River Falls or the resort community of Ocho Rios. The cost for walking up the falls is $10-15 which is to be paid by your group if you wish to go. Lunch out on the town. Enjoy lunch in a resort restaurant in Ocho Rios. Free time to enjoy the white sand beaches. Back to the hotel and ready for your last evening meal together out on the town. Team time together discussing the day’s events. Enjoy the last night at hotel beach and evening swimming.
January 15 Saturday – After breakfast your team will spend their last day in Jamaica enjoy the beach and the craft market for last minute shopping in Ocho Rios. You will check out of the hotel at 12:00 Noon and return to Kingston to fly back to the USA for a departure from Kingston at Norman Manley International Airport. You will be escorted from your north coast hotel to the airport with 3.5 hours before your departure. The drive will be about 3 hours.
