Guest Interrupted: Mixed Nats Allocations

Just to continue the interruption of Guest Blogger Week (I guess we can call this "half-time").

One of the reasons I got some guest bloggers in this week as I figured I'd be well distracted with AFDA stuff, finalising the revised Mixed Nationals policy. Well, the policy is now sorted and info is up at afda.com.

Its been a tricky bit of work and went through 12 versions and myriad variations before we were able to settle on something that seemed fair, workable, and appropriate to Mixed Nats.

For Queensland, I think the immediate impact (or one that will come on 1 July, when allocations are formally determined) is that:

a) North Queensland (Townsville) gets one guaranteed spot at Mixed Nats every year;

b) South Queensland (Brisbane/Gold Coast) gets two guaranteed spots at Mixed Nats every year, but in 2008 can expect to pick up two reallocations, to make four teams welcome for October at Kalinga Park.

Our friends at Byron Bay and Armidale have a few options: a) compete for a slot via the NSW Championships (NSW are likely to get 7-9 slots); b) compete for a slot via the Queensland Championships (should QUDA decide to hold a championships); c) ask for AFDA to allocate it the AFDA slot.

For South Queenslanders, I think the following is worth thinking about (all my humble opinion!):

- ensure Halibut is all about mass participation amongst South Queensland (along with our guests from elsewhere). Let's get out there and organise lots of teams and make sure every Ultimate player in the region has an easy pathway to playing (particularly given some notable people will be absent at Vancouver for Worlds). (Remember too our Townsville friends are all coming as individuals and will be looking for teams.)

- let's see if we can organise those who want to play Mixed Nats into three or four strong teams (including an "A" team?). Start letting people know if you want to organise a team!?

- we'll still want to hold a qualifying event around late August, for those teams. I think Lovefest is still aimed for mid-September?

Ok, let us mirror and get the second half underway. And don't forget its not too late to be a guest blogger this week (I'm talking to you, JMac, Pete, gref, and anonymous!)