So occasionally here in the stately Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion we take some of Badman's goodies and take on the 'way things are' and wonder if they couldn't just be a bit different. Take this as seriously or unseriously as you want.
Today - let's ditch Mixed Nats.
Now, there's nothing wrong with Mixed Nats. The folks in Tassie last year ran a great event that everyone involved enjoyed, and I'm sure its going to be the same this year in Bathurst. There is presently nobody in the country talking about ditching Mixed Nats (which is why its an interesting topic to blog about)
But a heck of a lot more could be done with this event.
It's in Spring, which is a great time to showcase the game and recruit new players.
Australian players believe in the Mixed game, and this also is a great showcase element. It's after the main international play period, so elite players come to it a little bit more casually than other national events.
And at the moment, Mixed Nats just seems to dominate this part of the calendar (along with AUGs (when its not in Perth at least). There are a few other smaller events around that people go to for fun and that's groovy, but they're in the shadow of Mixed Nats.
So why doesn't Australian Ultimate instead embrace the concept. Make Mixed Nats bigger and better.
So why not ditch the single three day tournament we presently have and ...
>> Spread it over three weekends (maybe just two to start, but three is the goal).
Have three separate tournaments, held around the country, with points accrued and a final or finals series at the end to crown the Mixed National Champion. Yes, you can call it a tour if you want.
Have cities bid on a multi-year basis - eg Brisbane could bid and host MixedNats1 for 2011, 2012 and 2013. We all know that 'going back to the same place' makes it easier to organise tournaments.
One event in August, one in September, one in October. Each event must cater to at least 16 teams, but otherwise be open to as many teams as they can take.
Priority entry is given to teams that register and pay their non-refundable deposit to all three events. Priority is also given to Clubs that played the previous year (yes, lets foster permanent clubs). After that, its open season.
6 comments:
Id be keen for it JdR, as long as youre willing to pick up the airfare tab.
I would disagree with the seperate weekends tour idea because it would just be to taxing on everyones wallet but I do agree something needs to change.
There was a fair bit of chatter after Hobart, many people were unhappy with the draw, which was mainly because it was a 3 day event.
Delirium's pool kind of got a little boring as we had to pretty much repeat day one on day three, because the pools were organised that if you didn't come first or second in your pool, you were stuck battling the tournament out with the teams you have already played. Only the top 8 teams seemed to actually have a different draw everyday.
I also remember there being some really funny problem with the bye system because of the day shortage but that is all a little hazy now...
I think the least organisers can do is look at giving this nationals tournament the extra time it deserves. It has the same amount of attendees, if not more than the opens and womens divisions at nationals.
Jack - its also taxing on people's wallets/lives to take two days off work rather than one.
Mixed Nats is presently capped at 24 teams, while Nats is presently capped at 32 teams (16 Open and 16 Women).
Airfares are an obvious budget thing that people seem to immediately bring up. But we all know teams and clubs do this badly, related to their wider financial management (collecting training fees, shirt fees, accommodation, etc etc).
Get rid of mixed all together. As a wise man once said, Mixed frisbee is just 8 guys playing men's frisbee with 6 other obstacles running round on the field.
Ah yes the "obstacle ultimate" reference. That comment might have been funny, but instead became lame as soon as you posted it anonymously.
Interesting take on things. I agree on the fixed-location-for-X-years idea, but disagree on the tour idea. The tour works well in the UK because travel there is low cost both dollars and time wise, but this country is too big to make it happen.
I'd like to see more regional teams get a run at Mixed Nats. Getting a mixed team together is more realistic prospect for the Geelongs & Bathursts & Toowoombas of this world than trying to win a Regionals spot from established clubs.
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