Team Canada

Qualified Players (names in bold have confirmed)

Under 8 Girls
Kelly Wang, Cendrina Bilodeau-Savaria, Janet Peng, Christine Gao

Under 8 Boys
Joseph Bellissimo, Jonah Lee, Jamil Kassam, Daniel Zotkin

Under 10 Girls
Jackie Peng, Zhanna Sametova, Aleksandra Milicivic

Under 10 Boys
William Graif, Richard Wang, Hong Rui Zhu

Under 12 Girls
Regina-Veron Kalaydina, Yan Wang, Rebecca Giblon, Ashley Powell, QianQian Hou

Under 12 Boys
Zi Yi Qin, Chang He Li, Tanraj S Sohal, Raphael Nunez-Painchaud, Yuekai Wang

Under 14 Girls
Yelizaveta Orlova, Samantha Powell, Tse Ning Cheung

Under 14 Boys
Arthur Calugar, Nikita Kraiouchkine, Jack Cheng

Under 16 Girls
Dalia Kagramanov, Melissa Darbyson, Sonja Xiong, Marguerite Yang

Under 16 Boys
Shiyam Thavandiran, Eric Hansen, Alexander Martchenko, Lloyd Mai

Under 18 Girls
Jasmine Du, Gabrielle Nadeau

Under 18 Boys
Ling Feng Ye, Haizhou Xu, Justin McDonald

Team Coach

Questions and Answers

Question:
Is there a deadline for player to commit their trip to Vietnam?
- posted by Jay (jay.zhao@ubc.ca) - July 28, 2008 11:00 AM

Answer:
A first place winner is requested to commit by Aug 5th. This lets time for a second place to organize flights etc. All payments needed by the champions must be made to the CFC office by Aug 12th. Second and Third place must confirm and make all payments to the CFC by August 12th.
- replied by Ellen (ellennadeau@yahoo.ca) - July 28, 2008 11:46 AM

Question:
Should we seek personal sponsorship for funding?
- posted by Anonymous - July 29, 2008 1:04 PM

Answer:
It's a big problem, sponsorship. It may take 1-2 years before a company will be comfortable to sponsor us. I am trying my best to make this happen as quickly as possible (maybe even by the end of the summer). The good news is that kids are easy for a company to sponsor directly.

There are 2 ways for you to go. First, you can approach companies directly or with the help of Youth Coordinator Ellen Nadeau. Talk to her before you approach a specific company. You need to be prepared with a description of what you are doing; and a budget - a list of the expenses for the trip, with the total cost. It helps if you can say something like "It will cost me $3,000 to go, and we are asking you for $1,000." Companies don't like to pay for the whole thing.

Second, ask for a referral. The best place to start is with your local politicians. Meet with your city councillor; your member of the Ontario Legistlature; and you federal Member of Parliament. There are probably no government funds available. But they can REFER you to companies who might be able to help you. Referrals are important - it means the person you ask is hearing about you from a friend.

Good luck with your search for sponsorship!
- replied by David - July 29, 2008 1:05 PM

Question:
Will there be a hotel discount?

Answer:
YES!!! the Organizer confirmed that by wiring our payment the 13th of August we can have the 5% discount on Hotel Costs.

All Players and accompanying persons must have their payments to the CFC office by Aug 12th. Credit Card number over the phone or email are acceptable.

You must let ME know what day of arrival and departure so I can calculate hotel costs, confirm with each of you and send the information to the Office.
- replied by Ellen (ellennadeau@yahoo.ca) - July 29, 2008 7:03 PM

Question:
Who will pay for the FIDE costs?

Answer:
FIDE registration fees: Bob Gillanders, the executive director has stated that the 1st place winners will be paid for. All others must pay at the same time as they pay for the Hotel.
- replied by Ellen (ellennadeau@yahoo.ca) - July 29, 2008 7:03 PM

Question:
When will flights be reimbursed?

Answer:
I realize it may be tight for some families but the best method we (the CEO at the office and me) could establish was to reimburse Champions airfare in October when they are confirmed as arrived in Vietnam. This way, if there are cancellations,illnesses....there will be no need to change money back and forth. I believe it can be credited to credit cards or a check sent and Bob has assured me these payments will happen in October.
- replied by Ellen (ellennadeau@yahoo.ca) - July 29, 2008 7:03 PM

Question:
What is the Organizers Fee?

Answer:
Organizers Fee of 100 Euros: All players and accompanying persons must pay this up front by Aug 12th. This is non-reimbursable should someone not go on the trip. If anyone waits until after August 12 to register there is a 200 Euros Organizer Cost.
- replied by Ellen (ellennadeau@yahoo.ca) - July 29, 2008 7:03 PM

Question:
Will charitable tax receipts be issued?

Answer:
The CFC can give charitable tax receipts to sponsors who donate to the Canadian Team. If the money is given to one specific team member, they can not furnish a tax receipt.
- replied by Ellen (ellennadeau@yahoo.ca) - July 29, 2008 7:03 PM

Question:
Are there free shuttles to the playing venue from the hotels?

Answer:
I can't find it on the site, but hope to have an answer from the organizer soon. If someone else knows please contact me.
- replied by Ellen (ellennadeau@yahoo.ca) - July 29, 2008 7:03 PM

Question:
I was told by a parent that it costs $79 to get a Visa for Vietnam through the Ottawa Embassy?

Answer:
This could avoid potential lines and confusion of getting it at the airport upon landing but it does cost a bit more. At the Airport, with an official letter supplied by the organzers, it costs 23 Euros. I'll let each participant decide how they want to do it.

Does anyone know if people traveling on Chinese Passports need Visas?
- replied by Ellen (ellennadeau@yahoo.ca) - July 29, 2008 7:03 PM

Useful Links

Vietnam Visa Information

Canadians need a valid visa to visit, do business or work in Vietnam. Visas are issued by the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa.

For visa applications and information, please contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Ottawa at:

The Embassy of Vietnam
470 Wilbrod Street,Ottawa, Ontario,
K1N 6M8 Canada

Telephone: (613) 236 0772Fax: 613) 236 2704
Email: vietem@istar.ca
Web site: http://www.vietnamembassy-canada.ca/

For more information:
http://geo.international.gc.ca/asia/vietnam/site/consular_before-en.asp

Travel Advisory and Vaccinations

Health Information for Travelers to Vietnam. For more information regarding preparing for your trip to Vietnam and vaccinations required, please refer to the following website:

http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationVietnam.aspx

Air Travel

As for the flights, I believe it would be very useful and easier for the team to have as many people as possible travel together. It would also simplify the life for those kids who go alone. Ultimately, it is up to the team of course. Perhaps those who are interested in going together can let me know and I will be happy to help them. I may also be able to help those wishing to travel separately through my contacts at the airline. Those who are interested can contact me at this email walkabout3@gmail.com or 647-298-7060

I will be very happy to help organize the team. I have spoken with my contact at Cathay Pacific and had a block of seats at a group rate put aside for the flight to Vietnam. The route through Hong Kong is by far the most convenient and cheapest ways to get to Vietnam but it gets quite busy. I believe the participants were very happy with the travel arrangments last year and it is very important to have everyone feel like one team so I will be very happy to help organize the travel. I used to work for Star Alliance (Air Canada, United, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific etc.) and have some very good contacts there that I believe can save the CFC and orther travellers quite a bit of money.

If there is any other way I can help please let me know.

Best Regards

Yan Teplitsky

Accomodations

Useful Hotel Links
http://www.hotels-in-vietnam.com/hotels_vungtau.html
http://www.agoda.com/asia/vietnam/vung_tau.html
http://www.travelvietnamhotels.com/VIETNAM_HOTELS/BaRia_-_VungTau_Hotels
http://www.vietnam-hotel.net/vung-tau-vietnam

(As per WYCC 2008 Accomodation Package)

3-Star Hotels
Bien Dong
Buu Dien - Vung Tau P & T
Cap Saint Jacques http://www.hotelcapsaintjacques.com
Medicoast http://www.medicoast.com.vn
My Le - Beautiful http://www.agribanktour.com
OCAP
Rex http://www.rexhotelvungtau.com.vn
Sammy http://www.sammyhotelvt.com
Vungtau Intourco http://www.intourcoresort.com

4-Star Hotels
Dic Star http://www.dicstarhotel.com.vn
Grand http://www.grand.oscvn.com
Palace http://www.palacehotel.com.vn

5-Star Hotels
Imperial

IMPORTANT: (Ellen Nadeau)
"The Canadian delegation must reserve through the CFC. The list I sent includes three meals per day at the hotel (room and board). I anticipate that the hotels will use plastic bracelets , badges or keys to identify free meal recipients. Meals at other establishments are at your own cost. We do not have a choice of staying at the specified hotels.

I have contacted the Organizers to verify that persons arriving before Oct 19th will be picked up at the airport and transferred to their hotel.

WYCC organizer confirmed we can get a 5% discount on Hotel rates if the CFC books and pays for the rooms by the 13th August."

Posted July 31, 2008 (Ellen Nadeau)

Hi Everyone,
I was just notified that the Cap StJacques is already fully booked and paid for.
There will be shuttles between hotels and the playing venue.
Can I get feedback for 2-3 other 3star hotel choices?

Thank you,
Ellen

---

TEAM CANADA REQUESTS (Accomodations)


ROOM TO SHARE (July 26, 2008 9:59 AM)

Hi,

I will go with my daugter Cendrina from Montreal. A parent in Montreal could let his child go with me to save on expanses. If another teen from Canada want to share the room with this 13 years old kid please let me know. We will make sure my room is next to their room.

Carl
fbs1999@inbox.com

Fund Raising

The Chess Federation of Canada
La Fédération canadienne des échecs
2212 Gladwin Crescent E-1, Ottawa, Ontario, K1B 5N1
Phone # (613) 733-2844 FAX # (613) 733-5209
Web site: http://www.chess.ca/
E-Mail: mailto:info@chesscanada.org

I am writing this letter to ask for your help with a Youth Project.

The Chess Federation of Canada (C.F.C.) is a charitable organization (10691 2058 RR) whose mandate is to promote and encourage the knowledge, study and play of the game of chess in Canada. (See the CFC web site: http://www.chess.ca)

I am the Youth Co-ordinator for the Chess Federation of Canada. I have been increasingly involved in youth chess for a number of years now. I have run many tournaments, been captain of the youth team that attended the Pan-American Youth Chess Festival in Cuenca,Equador, and assisted with many clubs and organizations promoting and teaching chess to youth.

As the Youth Co-ordinator, I have the responsibility for a number of projects. What I am writing about is our Canadian Youth Chess Team that will be competing in Vung Tau, Vietnam in Asia at the World Youth Chess Championships (WYCC) in October this year.

Each year, the Chess Federation of Canada holds a National Youth Championship (CYCC) to select Canada’s Champions. This is a tournament is organized into various categories based on the WYCC model of groups of youth in Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 years of age. There are both boys groups and girls groups. This makes 12 different groups and champions. At the Canadian Championship, the top 3 finishers in each category are invited to participate on the National Team and compete in the World Championship. This year, the championship was held in Quebec City,. It was a well organized event, and indeed did produce the champions of each of the groups listed.

The funds raised in this tournament – primarily from entry fees - help pay for the First place finishers to get them to the World Championships – this year in Vietnam– and the host organization pays for one representative from each national federation in each category. This means that the first place finishers in our national championships are fully paid for. This, unfortunately, leaves the Second and Third place finishers with no funding whatsoever. Our estimated cost per youth or attending person is approximately $3,000 to $3,600 (depending on where you are from in Canada). In our current state, this is entirely borne by the youth’s families for those in 2nd or 3rd place.

As a sponsor to the Canadian Youth Chess Team 2008, you would be promoted in all press releases and any communications with the public regarding the Team.

This is an important championship and I liken it to the World Cup for youth chess. Canadian Youth chess is increasing in popularity. This is a wonderful thing to see because of all the benefits that are derived from chess. I have a number of studies that point to learning chess as being of great benefit in a student’s academic career. Some studies show up to a full grade point increase as a result of just learning and playing chess! (Chess helps in the development of analytic and strategic thinking.) Other studies show the benefit of chess to challenged kids such as Attention Deficit or Autistic kids. (Chess helps in the development of focus.)

Having a National Team that makes the news with competing at the World level gives all the children a role model and increases the popularity of the game.

I would like to encourage you to participate and help support the Canadian National Youth Chess Team in its efforts in Vietnam this year.

I would be pleased to discuss with you or answer questions you may have regarding this project.

Sincerely,
Ellen Nadeau

Youth Co-ordinator, Chess Federation of Canada
15 Pine Cres
Kapuskasing ,ON P5N 1X6
(705) 335-5322

IMPORTANT (Team Canada):

Please forward information to Ellen Nadeau for Fund Raising contacts.