2-7 August 2009

Gullivers recently added Croatia to its impressive list of European cricket destinations when we assisted the MCC in mounting one of their outreach tours during the first week of August. The MCC undertakes around four such tours a year, working with the ICC to target countries which can fully benefit from MCC playing members’ coaching skills and passion.

Having seen their previous supplier withdraw from the market, the MCC approached Gullivers in late-May 2009 to provide the logistical support for the four match programme on the off-shore island of Vis that had already been agreed with the Croatia Cricket Board. This involved international flights, ferry journies, accommodation, daily transfers to the various cricket and associated official activities, and provision of English-speaking guides. We were fortunate to gain the support of a fellow TUI company in Dubrovnik (coincidentally called Gulliver HR) who made all the local arrangements for us – and we look forward to a prolonged relationship with them for future sports tours to the region.

The 15-strong MCC Team, including former Surrey and Nottinghamshire opener Darren Bicknell and former Somerset wicket-keeper (and current MCC tours sub-committee Chairman) Rob Turner, arrived at Split Airport on the afternoon of Sunday 2 August and were met by Gullivers' Peter Hodcroft, accompanied by a local guide. Following a coach transfer to the bustling Port of Split, the group boarded the catamaran for the 75-minute crossing to Vis. On arrival, they were greeted by members of the local cricket club and escorted to their accommodation – a century-old building in the centre of Vis Town.

On the following morning, the visitors had their first sight of the cricket venue for the next four days – the Sir William Hoste CC, founded by the Croatian islanders after learning that this Royal Naval Captain had organised the game there during the British occupation of the island in 1811 following a significant local defeat of a Franco-Venetian Fleet. The ground is hewn out of a vineyard that produces a grape (and therefore a wine) unique to the island – and borders a one-time RAF airfield that has also succumbed to the crop!

The competitive cricket – a mixture of 40-over and T20 matches against the Croatian National XI and the local team, was interspersed with some coaching activities. The tourists returned to the UK on Friday 7 August, content that their ‘ambassadorial’ visit had been a great success and testament to the meticulous planning that is the hallmark of all Gullivers' tours.

There are other cricket clubs in Croatia, and football, rugby, tennis and water polo tours are all possible here. If you are interested in sports tours to Croatia please call us on 01684 293175 or click the button below - more details will be available on the website shortly.
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