'Scuse Me, While I Touch the (Big) Sky

It's not too late to get a run this Saturday!

As most of you will know there's a little tournament happening this Saturday called Big Sky 10's.

Along with being a fun day out in the sun it also has a more serious side in that it's being run as a fundraiser to help out Mike and Stacey Neild.

http://bigsky10s.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately one of the 12 teams registered has just pulled out leaving eleven teams and a vacant spot in a twelve team draw. Would be great if enough bodies rustled together to get a twelfth competing on the day.

The organisers have added a team to the AFDA rego page called "I'd like to play". So register yourself for the lucky dip!

http://www.afda.com/rego/showdivision.php?divisionid=1471

Two Events You'd be Totally 27-Cat Crazy to Miss

These really are two essential tournaments (although we don't want to oversell them and see them overrun by undesirables ...)

Big Sky 10’s
At the Gap Soccer Club
On Sat 30th October
Website: http://bigsky10s.blogspot.com/
Rego: http://www.afda.com/rego/showdivision.php?divisionid=1471

Badman’s Birthday Surf and Turf Bash (Stef’s Birthday Too)
At the Belongil Fields at Byron Bay
On Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 November (but be there on Friday night)
Website: http://www.afda.com/showtournament.php?tournamentid=722
Rego: http://www.afda.com/rego/showteam.php?teamid=8585

Big Sky 9s Report

Just in case you missed it elsewhere, here's Mat Ryan's Big Sky 9's report.

Good morning folks,

The Big Sky 9s tournament was held on Saturday at the Gap Soccer
fields. The aim of this tournament was to raise money to support Mike Neild and
his wife Stacy in their battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

All tournament profits would be added to the funds raised from raffle
ticket sales, a signed "Crocs" World Games shirt auction, and donations made
from around the country and from overseas.

The onfield results went more or less according to the seedings, with
"Stacy's Allstars", Captained by Mike Neild running through the tournament
undefeated and claiming the stone buddha trophy. They met "Overlord" from
the Gold Coast in the final who had previously upset the fancied UQ Lovers team
in a tough pool game, with a golden point win after time.
Congratulations to all 142 (14 teams) players who attended the tournament
and contributed to the support fund. Thankyou for your attendance and support,
including Ant, Rosalie and Matty Faulkner who travelled up from NSW for the
day.

Thankyou also to the Tournament organising team of Tony Ross, Genevieve
Healy and Sandra Poon. This was your idea and would not have happened if
you hadn't put it into action. Special thanks to Peta McNaughton for her
tireless efforts manning the admin desk all day. Thankyou to QUDA and AFDA for
their contributions to the day.

Thankyou to Gen Healy for organising the raffle, and to the many
individuals and organisations who donated prizes, and to all those people who
sold tickets.

Thankyou to Jonno Holmes and Di Worman and the other Croc and Dingo players
involved in running the World Games shirt auction. It was a fantastic
initiative and no doubt will look great mounted above the fireplace.

Thankyou to all those players, team-mates, opponents, friends, family,
workmates, and people who have never met Mike and Stacy, for your donations into
the support fund.

Further thanks to John Damiani and the WA frisbee players for hosting a
parrallel Big Sky tournament which will be held in December. We wish you
all the best with your event.

The funds raised (as at Saturday 31st October): (Nb: funds are still coming
in from donations and hopefully a contribution from WA)
Tournament Profits
$3,220.00
Raffle Ticket Sales
$2,130.00
World Games shirt Auction $800.00
Donations
$10,077.00
Total: $16,227.00

This fantastic result is a demonstration of the high regard that people
hold for Mike and Stacy, that they would contriubte so willingly.

It also speaks volumes about the generosity and Spirit of the Australian
and International Ultimate community for them to come to the aid of a couple in
need.

I am extremely proud to be associated with such a group.

Good on you all.

Mat.

More Big Sky 9 Info

Just in case the Brisbane Ultimate Blog is your ONLY source of information on Ultimate in Brisbane (and true, its pretty good), here's the latest summary on this weekend's Big Sky 9's event!

Some more information about the Big Sky 9s Tournament:

TOURNAMENT FEES:
All player fees ($40 each) are to be collected by the Captains.
The Captains will then deposit the combined team fee into the QUDA bank account by COB Thursday 29^{th .} Once deposited please contact me (Mat Ryan) to let me know that the deposits have been made.

Bank Details:
Account Name: Qld Ultimate Disc Association Inc
BSB: 034002
Account Number: 167889
Bank: Westpac
Message "BS9s rego"

We will accept cash on the day from those players who cannot organise themselves to do a team deposit.
Eg: Pickup players that are not assigned to a team.

TIME & PLACE:
The tournament will be held at The Gap Soccer Club.
Address: Glen Affric St, The Gap.
Directions: From the city drive West along Waterworks Rd. Glen Affric St is the first left after crossing Enoggerra Creek at Walton Bridge.

The fields are visible from the road, behind the skate park. Parking is available beside the fields.
Public Transport: From the city, the number 382 or 385 bus to The Gap Village (bus stop #33). It's a 2min walk to the fields from here.

Games will commence at 8.50am sharp.
There is absolutely no room in the schedule for late starts.
Teams that are not on the line in time will lose points.

Captains meeting will be held at 8.20am.
It is recommended that all players are at the field by 8.20am.
Any assistance that people can give to setup fields, erect marquees etc would be greatly appreciated, so feel free to arrive by 8.00am if you are able to help.

UNIFORMS :
Most teams have nominated a colour which is great. But we suggest that each team brings an alternative colour strip just in case.

FOOD:
Breakfast will not be served. But there are shops (2min walk) around the corner. (Coles supermarket, deli, bakery etc.)
Lunch will be served during the break in games. There will be no 'lunchtime' but each team will have a 40min break between games to eat.

Dinner will be served after the conclusion of the last pool game at 6.10pm and through the final.
Drinks will also be available with dinner and during the final.

DONATIONS:
The donation fund is doing well but every little bit extra will be greatly appreciated.
If you want to donate please deposit into:

Account Name: Qld Ultimate Disc Association Inc
BSB: 034002
Account Number: 167889
Bank: Westpac
Message: "Neild Donation".

We will also be able to receive any additional cash donations on the day.

RAFFLES:
A number of great prizes have been donated.
Tickets are currently on sale, and will be also be on sale during the day. $2 each or 6 for $10. Contact Genevieve Healy for more information.
The raffle will be drawn at the end of the day during the presentations and will be "Winners Choice"
The prizes will be shipped to the winner if they are interstate.

"CROCS" SHIRT AUCTION
The medal winning Crocs from the recent World Games in Taiwan have donated a signed World Games shirt.
This shirt is up for auction with all proceeds going to the support fund.
People are able to bid online for this shirt.
Check out: http://wgshirtaucti on.blogspot. com/
As Tony Greig would say "This is a once in a lifetime piece of sporting memorabilia" ...
The auction will close on Wed. 28th October, so get bidding!