Nationals Allocations for Northern Region

So the allocations for slots at Nationals are out.

For the Open division, it looks a bit tough for us – Northern Region only gets one slot. (But there is good news down below).

Why is this so? Well, the process for allocating the 16 slots goes like this.

In the first round of slotting, each N/S/W/E/NZ region gets one slot for a total of five (so North gets one automatic slot at every Nationals, no matter what).

Then in the second round of slotting, the results of the top eleven teams from last year’s Nationals are taken into account and allocated accordingly (so Firestorm’s 8th last year confirms that automatic slot, but Thor’s 15th doesn’t get one of the second round slots).

Then the South Region gets an extra slot for being spread across three states. AFDA gets a discretionary slot (in the past, this has ensured the host club automatically qualifies).

Leaving two Wildcards. The Wildcards are allocated based on the ‘size of the region’ as demonstrated by the number of players turning up to Regionals. The ratio is [number of players / (number of slots + 0.5)].

Fortunately, it looks extremely likely to me that Northern Region will secure one of the Wildcards, and has a chance at getting a third if it wants it.

I had a look at last year’s player numbers for South and East Regionals, extrapolated from there and added some other numbers, and reckon that if we get around 45 players to Northern Regionals 2008 we’ll probably get the first Wildcard, so that North Region gets its second slot.

It is also possible for North Region to snag a second Wildcard to make a third slot! First, if West Region just looks to send one team, and doesn’t bother to hold a Regionals then it won't grab a Wildcard, making it easier for us. Then I reckon if we get around 70 players at Northern Regionals then we’ve got a good shot at snagging a second Wildcard. These odds are increased greatly if NZ's slot and/or the AFDA discretionary slot are added to the Wildcard pile.

(Quick tangent for the Women – they’ve been allocated two slots based Sultry Dazzle coming in 10th last year. Two teams I think is the plan for Nationals 2008, but for interest, I estimate if they get 55 or so women to Northern Regionals they’ll snag a Wildcard for a third slot, if they want it - and Coffs isn't that far to travel.)

All this comes down to one thing for Ultimate in Queensland – we need to get as many people as possible to Northern Regionals!!

[Quick note too for individuals trying to work out their options for getting on a Nationals-bound team. If the team you are registered on for Regionals qualifies, then you must go to Nationals with that team. If your Regionals team doesn’t qualify, you may be picked up by a Nationals-bound team (at their discretion).]