It Be the End of an Era

The Brisbane Premier League's Director, Stu Austin, announced yesterday that he will be stepping down from his position at the end of the season.

This is a great loss to the BPL, but equally, Stu leaves the role in such excellent shape that the League will have no trouble continuing to be excellent (and of course, he'll still be there playing every week! So no need to get too depressed!)

Stu took on the role of BPL Director back in September 2008, joining an elite group of suckers for punishment volunteers that included his predecessors Jon Good, Andy Lankowski, Stew McGlashan, Jason Ray - all of whom handed over good ships as Stu is now doing - and has managed the last five seasons (Seasons 17-21 for those who keep track).

Efficient and passionate are the two words which spring to mind in thinking about Stu's work and the style in which he approaches it. Stu's passion for elite Ultimate is outstanding. His efficiency in delivering that has been fantastic.

We should also add one element of Stu's directorship that isn't obvious or talked about but it unconsciously prized by players - consistency. Stu established how he was going to share information and run the league and delivered that, week in and week out for over two years - a challenge for any volunteer who's got other things to do.

This is not to say Stu hasn't had a willingness to change, reform and grow the League. Think of the introduction of portafields which brought a new 'professionalism' to the League. Add to that the commitment of two fixed seasons rather than the 'endless play' that players sought in the past, which made ladders and finals all the more climactic and enjoyable. BPL players now have a stronger understanding of competition rules, rostering and reporting, and their value in delivering exciting Ultimate. The League grew to its largest size ever at one point in his leadership, and the quality of the competition has never been higher.

This is not to say we haven't had controversy which we shall address humourously and remind everyone that we play for fun and it doesn't really matter - TomsteveMVP-gate, Passion-no-semi's-gate, 'goddamit the fields are closed'-gate(s), occasional-whiney-email-gate, anything-to-do-with-SteveC-or-Stef-gate - and no doubt heaps of things that anyone lacking omnipotence or an intimate relationship with Stu would be aware of.

Stu has handled stressed out and upset people and irate (or just slightly snarky) emails with an air of confidence and clarity, and we hope he hasn't been too stressed and upset by such events. We suspect the positive relationships he cultivated with the League Captains and senior players (the key to any successful BPL Directorship) helped to ease some of these hassles on the relatively rare occasions they came along.

We in the stately mansion have long appreciated Stu's support for the Brisbane Ultimate Blog and our efforts to help make the Brisbane Premier League competitive and exciting. We (and we include our commenters here) may have occasionally irritated him, but he always seemed to grin back and add value to our enterprise.

So, regards and cheers to Stu. But most of all, WELL DONE and THANKS!

[the above has been edited to add J-Ray to the previous LD list - the fact checker will be punished]