MVP try to make the most of each tournament trip to ensure time is used constructively towards the 3 main priorities of the program.

Assuming a Saturday & Sunday tournament by bus the target itinerary would be:

FRIDAY:

• Depart for the US in the morning.

• Stop at an NCAA school for a recruiting visit where players get to meet coaches, learn about academic requirements, university life and view facilities.

• Arrive at hotel and relax for the evening. Sleep.

SATURDAY:

• (Potential second NCAA school visit in morning if pool play is later in day.)

• Travel to tournament location, arriving one hour before first game.

• Play tournament pool games.

• (Potential second NCAA school visit in afternoon if pool play is early)

• Eat as a team.

• Return to hotel, down time.

SUNDAY:

• Check out of hotel, travel to tournament location, arriving one hour before first game.

• Play tournament playoff games.

• Return to Canada.

For some tournament trips we are unable to visit NCAA schools due to recruiting blackout rules and school coaching staff availability.

If flying to a tournament the team still departs on Friday and returns on Sunday, timing is dictated by available flight options and so we may not get to visit an NCAA school on the Friday.

The NCAA school visits are important for a number of reasons, including:

• Expose the players to NCAA coaches who educate them face-to-face in what it takes to get recruited and play at that level. The coaches also get to 'see' the players so they have a physical reference when they watch game/highlight film that we send them. Some schools will take height/weight measurements.

• Communication of the academic requirements for school entry and then the study load once in the football program, including support mechanisms available and academic targets/achievements that the football program holds.

• The motivation to achieve from seeing facilities that arent avaiable in Canada, including stadiums, weight rooms, locker rooms and player lounges, bringing some reality to the dream.

• Letting the players hear information from the source so they know the MVP staff are giving them good information, and parents can be confident that direction from the MVP program is set according to players goals.

The MVP staff fully utilize the tournament trips as a personal development tool for each player - they are expected to take responsibility and have accountability for their own behaviour and actions, being sure to represent the program to the best of their ability at all times. The coaches uphold this tenant strictly, and provide direction to the players on conduct throughout the trip.
Players will be removed from the program that cannot conduct themselves properly while travelling with the program.

Parents are more than welcome on trips, at their own expense. On bus trips we are happy to have parents ride with us if there are spare seats.
All we ask is that the environment is respected - this is a 'business trip' for the players and coaches where the main focus is the football and respectful behaviour is expected at all times.

Tournament Trip Cost

MVP is a non-profit and as such works only to the costs incurred.

• Each tournament is costed based on the mode of travel, distance, hotel costs and tournament registration fee.

• This cost is then divided by the number of players selected.

• A percentage of this cost is covered by the MVP program with money from fund-raising activities held throughout each year.

• The remaining cost is the responsibility of the player to cover, with due dates being communicated per tournament.