Ladies and gentlemen,
It was a beautiful, sunny weekend of Ultimate at Northern Regionals, upwards of 30 degrees with low wind. Here's the breakdown.
SATURDAY
The morning games saw Black Betty and Cherry Bomb setting themselves apart, taking easy wins over the less experienced Blackberries and Purple Llamas. The quality of all four teams' uniforms was outstanding, as was the fact that we had four teams at women's Regionals! An exciting outcome, and kudos to everyone who played, and everyone who made it happen.
After lunch, the Blackberries took a golden point thriller over the Llamas for third place, while the established force of Black Betty had their way with Cherry Bomb. I saw little of the game, but a 13-5 scoreline seems an emphatic victory. Both teams should qualify for Nationals without difficulty, and we're excited to see two Queensland teams competing in the women's division.
On the Open side, this day's results had no bearing on Nationals qualification/seeding; it was simply a long day of fun Ultimate. Kudos to all those teams who came together for this, especially those who fought through with low numbers on a hot day. Firestorm, reigning champions for several years, split their team into two squads for extra challenge and more game time. Congratulations to Fire, who swept through the day convincingly to take the win.
Congratulations to the Blackberries, who took out the women's Spirit win, and to the Griffith A-Team for taking Open Spirit. The spread of different finishing times meant we didn't have a chance to acknowledge you on the day, but well done.
Full Saturday rankings:
OPEN
1. Fire
2. Slamtown Flatball Club
3. BPL Retirement Village
4. Storm
5. Townsvillains
6. Griffith A-Team
7. UQ Lovers
OPEN SPIRIT
1. A-Team (51)
=2. Fire (48)
=2. Villains (48)
=2. Lovers (48)
5. Village (47)
6. Storm (44)
7. Slamtown (41)
WOMEN
1. Black Betty
2. Cherry Bomb
3. Blackberries
4. Purple Llamas
WOMEN SPIRIT
1. Blackberries (24.5)
2. Cherry Bomb (23)
3. Purple Llamas (22)
4. Black Betty (20)
SUNDAY
Sunday saw the Open competitive playoffs. With Ignition losing several players on Saturday to injuries or changed minds, a late decision was made to merge Townsvillains and Ignition and create a three team draw.
In the first two games, the composite Ignillains group (got any better ideas?) worked hard, but were outmatched by Slamtown and Firestorm, in that order. It set the stage for the match these teams had been looking forward to.
Slamtown have a number of big-time playmakers, and use these talents to play a high-risk, high-reward style on both O and D. In previous matches against Firestorm, this hadn't worked out in their favour, and a revamped Firestorm offence was able to score consistently as their defence generated turns. When the risks work out, though, Slamtown will be able to put points on any team in the country, and this game saw their throwers absolutely on point.
Firestorm's offence was put under big pressure by a hard-working Slamtown unit, and when they generated turnovers, Slamtown were unwilling to give back the disc. They forced early turnovers and converted, going up 6-3. Firestorm's time-out didn't change the direction, as Slamtown took half 8-4.
The second half continued in a similar fashion; Firestorm were struggling to generate turnovers as Slamtown continued to nail pinpoint hucks down tight sidelines and leading hammers in the back of the endzone. The lead continued to extend, and only a couple of late points brought Firestorm to double digits, as Slamtown handed out Firestorm's first ever Regionals loss.
It was a convincingly display from the Gold Coast/Brisbane mix, and one that will presumably be celebrated in true Slamtown style. To both teams' credit, the game was played in excellent Spirit despite the level of intensity and desire.
Slamtown will take the #6 seed to Nationals, while Firestorm is likely to attend in the #15 position, but must wait for confirmation of AFDA wildcard allocations. Townition (definitely not better...) will be heading to Div 2 Nats to represent the North.
It's extremely exciting to see a second strong club emerging here in Queensland, and we look forward to battling with others from around the country.
SUMMARY
Well done to our winners and our Spirit winners.
Thanks to Dom, Myles, Gary, Mat, Timocles, Luke for significant help with running the tourney.
The QUDA AGM was also held, and reports from that will come separately.
Cheers
John (TD)
Showing posts with label Firestorm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Firestorm. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Important Regionals Info
From Mr Firestorm himself:
All,
Regionals team registration closes next Friday. All registrations are happening on the website: http://regionals.quda.org/
The present state of play:
SATURDAY
Firestorm, with 5 players, are looking likely to take down Stef as the sole Slamtown representative (Abra, think you registered as free agent before Stef added SFC as an option, might want to check your rego).
In the women's, we could see some upsets, as Jess may struggle to defend Black Betty's reign against 5 Cherry Bombers and even the 3 Purple Llamas.
SUNDAY (Open)
Through a combination of assumption and communication, I have Firestorm, Slamtown, Townsville and Ignition down for competitive finals on Sunday.
Guys and girls, please get registering. Yes, it's a new system, but this system will be used more in Australia. Set up your account once, and it's ready to go for any future events, just like on AFDA.
If you're having difficulty with rego, please firstly check your account and see that you've filled out the info there. At the very least, include your DOB and AFDA #; you won't be able to rego for this tourney without those details included (Soph, I think that's why yours is incomplete).
Still having trouble? Email me.
No team? No worries, register as a free agent and we'll put you somewhere.
John
P.S. Good luck to FOUR Queensland teams heading to an interstate tourney this weekend... that'd have to be close to a record, off the top of my head.
Obviously people haven't gotten across the new Topscore registering system. It's extremely easy to use and like Jmac said, it's a system that will be used more and more in the future, so now's a perfect opportunity to give it a crack.
Even if you don't have a team organised for Saturday, sign up as a free agent and a team will be found for you. The more people that are signed up, the greater chance the Northern Region has of securing wildcard spots for the Australian Championships in April. Even if you're not playing rep ultimate, do you really want those wildcard spots to go to a bunch of Southern teams, when it could go to helping QLD Ultimate?
All,
Regionals team registration closes next Friday. All registrations are happening on the website: http://regionals.quda.org/
The present state of play:
SATURDAY
Firestorm, with 5 players, are looking likely to take down Stef as the sole Slamtown representative (Abra, think you registered as free agent before Stef added SFC as an option, might want to check your rego).
In the women's, we could see some upsets, as Jess may struggle to defend Black Betty's reign against 5 Cherry Bombers and even the 3 Purple Llamas.
SUNDAY (Open)
Through a combination of assumption and communication, I have Firestorm, Slamtown, Townsville and Ignition down for competitive finals on Sunday.
Guys and girls, please get registering. Yes, it's a new system, but this system will be used more in Australia. Set up your account once, and it's ready to go for any future events, just like on AFDA.
If you're having difficulty with rego, please firstly check your account and see that you've filled out the info there. At the very least, include your DOB and AFDA #; you won't be able to rego for this tourney without those details included (Soph, I think that's why yours is incomplete).
Still having trouble? Email me.
No team? No worries, register as a free agent and we'll put you somewhere.
John
P.S. Good luck to FOUR Queensland teams heading to an interstate tourney this weekend... that'd have to be close to a record, off the top of my head.
Obviously people haven't gotten across the new Topscore registering system. It's extremely easy to use and like Jmac said, it's a system that will be used more and more in the future, so now's a perfect opportunity to give it a crack.
Even if you don't have a team organised for Saturday, sign up as a free agent and a team will be found for you. The more people that are signed up, the greater chance the Northern Region has of securing wildcard spots for the Australian Championships in April. Even if you're not playing rep ultimate, do you really want those wildcard spots to go to a bunch of Southern teams, when it could go to helping QLD Ultimate?
Monday, February 11, 2013
Regionals!
This just in:
All,
I'm excited to announce that Northern Regionals 2013 will be held on 16-17 March in Brisbane. Put that in your diaries.
The women's competition will be Saturday only. Men will play on Sunday as well.
Venue is TBA. There will, of course, be a rocking Saturday night party.
For those unaware, we are currently in the men's/women's competitive season, culminating in Nationals in late April. Regionals falls 6 weeks before Nationals, and serves two purposes:
a) Qualification/seeding for Nationals, for those teams aspiring to that level
b) A chance to play a men's/women's tournament for players of every standard, all around the country
As such, every level of player is very welcome to come and play, either submitting a team yourself or being connected with an existing team.
Summary: You! Come and play! :-)
Dom Simpson and I are your TDs. More info to come.
John
As John mentions above, Regionals is an excellent chance for all Ultimate players in QLD to play in a meaningful and high quality tournament.
If you're considering the idea of playing or not, get your act together and get a team together.
If you're thinking of not playing, get your act together and get a team together.
If you're already on a team, keep up the good work!
All,
I'm excited to announce that Northern Regionals 2013 will be held on 16-17 March in Brisbane. Put that in your diaries.
The women's competition will be Saturday only. Men will play on Sunday as well.
Venue is TBA. There will, of course, be a rocking Saturday night party.
For those unaware, we are currently in the men's/women's competitive season, culminating in Nationals in late April. Regionals falls 6 weeks before Nationals, and serves two purposes:
a) Qualification/seeding for Nationals, for those teams aspiring to that level
b) A chance to play a men's/women's tournament for players of every standard, all around the country
As such, every level of player is very welcome to come and play, either submitting a team yourself or being connected with an existing team.
Summary: You! Come and play! :-)
Dom Simpson and I are your TDs. More info to come.
John
As John mentions above, Regionals is an excellent chance for all Ultimate players in QLD to play in a meaningful and high quality tournament.
If you're considering the idea of playing or not, get your act together and get a team together.
If you're thinking of not playing, get your act together and get a team together.
If you're already on a team, keep up the good work!
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
High Level Ultimate
This just in from the guy with the biggest calves in QLD Ultimate:
Ladies and gents,
It's Nationals season, meaning men's and women's clubs around the country are preparing for the Australian Ultimate Championships in late April.
Firestorm has been the clear number 1 team from Queensland since 2007, but the rising Slamtown Flatball Club has declared itself a genuine challenger this year.
To help our Nationals preparation, these clubs will be battling several times in coming months. Come and see the highest level of Ultimate in Queensland!
First battle: This Sunday, 10 February
10am, at the field at the end of Assembly St, Salisbury
We'll have a couple of marquees for shade and some cold drinks for sale. Bring a chair and your finest heckling.
Afterwards, the teams will be hanging out, and you're welcome to join us for that.
John
#10 Firestorm
It's sure to be a humdinger of a match with both teams spoiling for it after some not-so-subtle blog based mud slinging the other week.
Ladies and gents,
It's Nationals season, meaning men's and women's clubs around the country are preparing for the Australian Ultimate Championships in late April.
Firestorm has been the clear number 1 team from Queensland since 2007, but the rising Slamtown Flatball Club has declared itself a genuine challenger this year.
To help our Nationals preparation, these clubs will be battling several times in coming months. Come and see the highest level of Ultimate in Queensland!
First battle: This Sunday, 10 February
10am, at the field at the end of Assembly St, Salisbury
We'll have a couple of marquees for shade and some cold drinks for sale. Bring a chair and your finest heckling.
Afterwards, the teams will be hanging out, and you're welcome to join us for that.
John
#10 Firestorm
It's sure to be a humdinger of a match with both teams spoiling for it after some not-so-subtle blog based mud slinging the other week.
Monday, November 05, 2012
Big Week of Ultimate
For all the unimformed there is plenty on the go this week.
Monday Night - yes tonight, sees the BUML finals with 3 games to keep you entertained. Why sit on the couch and talk to your TV, when you can come on down and heckle a real life frisbee player. Games start at 7:30 at Griffith Nathan.
Wednesday Pick-up
Thursday Night -BPL is hotting up with only a few weeks left there are some close games every week and must win games if teams want to make the final. If you are keen to watch some of the best ultimate you will see in brisbane come down and check it out. Annerley Junior Soccer Club from 7:30. Also WUFL is on I think, if the girls can fill us in that would be great.
Saturday - Big Skys is on again. If you haven't got yourself on a team I am not sure if it is too late but it is for a good cause with all proceeds going to help support Mike and Stacy Nield in there battle with Motor Neuron Disease. If you can't play come on down and watch the fun, Play some sideline games in the Slamtown tent? and by some raffle tickets. The Gap Soccer Club games start early and run all day.
Sunday - Firestorm and Betty are launching their club seasons. If you are keen to play nationals or are just looking to take your game to the next level it may be worth coming down and checking it out. Starts at 9am and will run most of the day and will included some fun activities and drills to help improve your game. At the same place as Big Skys on the same nice fields.
Over summer looking to keep playing ultimate? There will be sunday arvo pick up back at QUT Kelvin Grove. Yes you heard it here first, the return to sunday in the sun just no gaurantee of Huddy being there this time. More Details to follow.
Monday Night - yes tonight, sees the BUML finals with 3 games to keep you entertained. Why sit on the couch and talk to your TV, when you can come on down and heckle a real life frisbee player. Games start at 7:30 at Griffith Nathan.
Wednesday Pick-up
Thursday Night -BPL is hotting up with only a few weeks left there are some close games every week and must win games if teams want to make the final. If you are keen to watch some of the best ultimate you will see in brisbane come down and check it out. Annerley Junior Soccer Club from 7:30. Also WUFL is on I think, if the girls can fill us in that would be great.
Saturday - Big Skys is on again. If you haven't got yourself on a team I am not sure if it is too late but it is for a good cause with all proceeds going to help support Mike and Stacy Nield in there battle with Motor Neuron Disease. If you can't play come on down and watch the fun, Play some sideline games in the Slamtown tent? and by some raffle tickets. The Gap Soccer Club games start early and run all day.
Sunday - Firestorm and Betty are launching their club seasons. If you are keen to play nationals or are just looking to take your game to the next level it may be worth coming down and checking it out. Starts at 9am and will run most of the day and will included some fun activities and drills to help improve your game. At the same place as Big Skys on the same nice fields.
Over summer looking to keep playing ultimate? There will be sunday arvo pick up back at QUT Kelvin Grove. Yes you heard it here first, the return to sunday in the sun just no gaurantee of Huddy being there this time. More Details to follow.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
High Level Ultimate!
While lounging in the jacuzzi this morning on the BUB Mansion's sun deck, I noticed some smoke signals emanating from the Firestorm Camp. After checking it wasn't just the Slamtown lads visiting, I decoded the following message:
Thursday; Fine, Sunny maximum of 26, however, this doesn’t take into
account the Fire and Storm that will be created as a result of the
second high-level exhibition match.
As part of Firestorms post season review the club wants to increase
chances Brisbane’s best men have to regularly test each other under
Nationals level pressure. To this end the club is organizing regular
high-level hit outs for some of the best Ultimate players in SEQ.
This Thursday, August 16, will see 30+ of the best matchup against
each other in the second of these high-level matches. These teams have
been selected by captains: Liam ‘Wetnose’ Gillions playing in white,
Verses, George ‘Silent’ Salisbury playing in black. For the record
Peter Allen and Geoffrey ‘Greff’ Grundy where the respective first
draft picks.
The game will begin at 8pm on the BPL fields, Annerley Junior Football
club, Victoria Terrace, Greenslopes. This event is free for all to
attend, watch and heckle. BYO; however if there is enough of a request
there could be a possibility for some drinks to be available, so get a
crowd down. To RSVP please go to the Facebook event:http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/402789643103307/
Now the teams:
Liam Gillions Team (Playing in white, please use matching Firestorm
uniform if you have one)
Peter Allen
Jack Allen
Craig Behrendorff
Troy Booth
Myall Hingee
Shaun Kies
Trevor Lovering
Finn McCarthy
Andrew McCasker
Guarin Owen
Stefan Rappazzo
Dan Rule
Reece Stewart
David Warren
Tim Webb
Dan Wiechec
George Salisbury Team (Playing in black, please use matching Firestorm
uniform if you have one)
Adam Beu
Sebastian Brown
Chris Brown
Tyson Buhagiar
Geoffrey Grundy
Brian Grundy
Andrew Lankowski
Alex Livingstone
Dan Mammel
Myles McCallum
Leon McIntyre
James Morrell
Paul Sanguinetti
Daniel Strelan
Troy Zed
PLAYERS: Please be there at 7.45pm ready to warm up with your team and Captain.
account the Fire and Storm that will be created as a result of the
second high-level exhibition match.
As part of Firestorms post season review the club wants to increase
chances Brisbane’s best men have to regularly test each other under
Nationals level pressure. To this end the club is organizing regular
high-level hit outs for some of the best Ultimate players in SEQ.
This Thursday, August 16, will see 30+ of the best matchup against
each other in the second of these high-level matches. These teams have
been selected by captains: Liam ‘Wetnose’ Gillions playing in white,
Verses, George ‘Silent’ Salisbury playing in black. For the record
Peter Allen and Geoffrey ‘Greff’ Grundy where the respective first
draft picks.
The game will begin at 8pm on the BPL fields, Annerley Junior Football
club, Victoria Terrace, Greenslopes. This event is free for all to
attend, watch and heckle. BYO; however if there is enough of a request
there could be a possibility for some drinks to be available, so get a
crowd down. To RSVP please go to the Facebook event:http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/402789643103307/
Now the teams:
Liam Gillions Team (Playing in white, please use matching Firestorm
uniform if you have one)
Peter Allen
Jack Allen
Craig Behrendorff
Troy Booth
Myall Hingee
Shaun Kies
Trevor Lovering
Finn McCarthy
Andrew McCasker
Guarin Owen
Stefan Rappazzo
Dan Rule
Reece Stewart
David Warren
Tim Webb
Dan Wiechec
George Salisbury Team (Playing in black, please use matching Firestorm
uniform if you have one)
Adam Beu
Sebastian Brown
Chris Brown
Tyson Buhagiar
Geoffrey Grundy
Brian Grundy
Andrew Lankowski
Alex Livingstone
Dan Mammel
Myles McCallum
Leon McIntyre
James Morrell
Paul Sanguinetti
Daniel Strelan
Troy Zed
PLAYERS: Please be there at 7.45pm ready to warm up with your team and Captain.
Whose team do you think will get the victory? Sound off in the comments below!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Queensland Open Championships 2012 Preview
Your blogger has bitten way more off than he can chew this year, with TDing Regionals, Griffith stuff, QUDA stuff and real life, to properly preview this tournament. But who needs sleep!?
The tournament returns to Griffith Nathan which is looking shmick. Having the party at the Griffith campus pretty much straight after games finish (although time enough for southsiders to go home and shower I guess) is interesting. Pizza and a bar tab is always a drawcard. I See Red is a good theme - can't wait to see JackL and AndyL in their green outfits. Kinda negative in a photographic way.
Anyway, lets look at the teams.
Firestorm
The A1-AlphaDog-DominantLifeform-TopoftheFoodChain-ArnoldSchwarzenegger-ZombieLich-Galactus-CitizenKane-DalekEmperor of Northern Regionals. They laugh at this tournament (usually this is followed by a crack of thunder), and have managed to get it brought forward a week so they can get proper games at Easterns. And probably rightly so - once you've harvested the best talent and cut the chaff, as well as trained for months like the crazy eager buggers they are, what can you expect, aside from seeing Firestorm at the top of the trophy for another year.
Northerns Form: 2011 1st 2010 1st 2009 1st and 2nd (O/D squad); 2008 1st and 2nd (Troopers/Zippo), 2007 1st.
Player to Watch: All of the tricky beggars. Whoops, they've scored on you again. The one guy who probably hasn't flogged you before is named Dan. He'll flog you too apparently. And for the sake of Queensland pride at Nationals, please don't break any of them (treat J-Mac like he's your mother, which he is (spiritually)).
Towns-Villians
Evil, evil people from the True North, who will no doubt thrive in the hot and humid conditions this weekend. Like mould. Rumour has it that the Villians consider this a warmup tournament for coming again to smash and grab the Div2 Nationals title. We shall see. The roster may be a little short, but they've picked up a dark lords in the form of the best of the Cairns Mob, and as usual some dudes will just appear out of the blue. Looking forward to seeing the new outfits. Expect a forfeit on Sunday morning if tradition holds up.
Northerns Form: 2011 4th 2010 3rd 2009 4th (as Thor); 2008 3rd (as Thor); 2007 2nd (as Thor); 2006 4th (as No Panda).
Player to Watch: Hugh Osborne has moved to Perth like Hamish and Simone before him, but Keith is coming up from Tassie to drink JdR's liquour cabinet and play this one. Watch out for the guy in the old fashioned Dojo shirt.
Slamtown Flatball Club
Slamtown have had some highs and lows in their existence. This year's squad has been hardened up by the BPL, and boasts a very strong Byron Bay flavour. Expectations will be high, but if the gang parties like usual, Day 2 could be tough. If Northerns were My Kitchen Rules, these guys would be like those other famous Gold Coasters, Gary and Peter - know what they're doing but can seem a bit bitchy while doing it. Will battle Ignition to take the second Northern slot to Nationals, in some form or other.
Northerns Form: 2011 3rd 2010 2nd 2009 5th; 2008 4th (as The Pass)
Player to Watch: Stef Rappazzo of course. You can't help but look at him. Like a car wreck on legs. This guy is so tough he sweats blonde playgirls, craps steel I-beams and wees boiling tequila, lemon and salt - and that stuff doesn't have to fall far to hit the ground. Daughters should also be hidden from several members of this team. Jords will be much bigger this year, as he's going to Uni now and was apparently studying on Day 1, as will Dr Phil.
Firestorm Ignition
They've got Mansauce. What more should we bother mentioning? I guess we could give all the other nicknames for the players on the team, just so you can sort them out for your heckling when they take on Slamtown in the Semi-Final. There's Jacksauce, CarlieCarlCarl, NotCarlI'mNotRelatedToHimLeaveMeAloneManHeyIAmTooOver18, Brownsauce, Brownsauce with Chives, TimTom, TomTim, Bendy, Rednut the Fatarsed Wombat, Dazzler, Nugget, Dan Dan Revolution, the Big G, and Paul "I'm a Real Australian Now, Maaaayte, Gimme Some Tinnies or I'll Wooloomooloo Yer Woollangabba, Bloke" S. Want to get that second slot to Nats, rather than the 3rd slot.
Northerns Form: 2011 2nd
Player to Watch: A mix of knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns, and various dressings. Um. Well, they're all kinda funny looking to watch. What the heck, let's talk up Guarin.
Griffith Heroes
A sexual chocolate of two prominent BUML Clubs, plus those darn Webb boys, who'll likely turn up in a 1969 Dodge Charger with the Confederate Flag painted on the roof and the doors welded shut. There's some young talent on this team, playing their first guy only games, which may suit dirty old swill-chucking farts like ... well basically Dusty and JdR. Still, lots of them have barely been on the same field together before, so expect their plays to be copied from Wikipedia.
Northerns Form: Zip
Player to Watch: Let's mention Dan Cohen, who anchored the Griffith AUGs 2011 team and Luke Stark, because he reads this sometimes.
Gympie G-Force
WELCOME GYMPIE! This is awesome to have them at their first big gig. Lots of unknowns to this blog on their sheet, but then three of them played the Q-Hat Final last year, and they've got their KFC-stained hands on Hello Moto, That's Mr Litzow To You Punk, and Former President Boevink, so don't play them down.
Northerns Form: Zip
Player to Watch: Michael Daly has the highest AFDA number of the tournament, at 19490.
Note for tipsters - since you'll all (except maybe for Crazy Pete) be putting Firestorm at the top of your list, we suggest you also tip the round robin goal difference. Assuming five games to 17 and time cap of 90 minutes against the other teams, how many points will Firestorm score against how many will they let in?
The tournament returns to Griffith Nathan which is looking shmick. Having the party at the Griffith campus pretty much straight after games finish (although time enough for southsiders to go home and shower I guess) is interesting. Pizza and a bar tab is always a drawcard. I See Red is a good theme - can't wait to see JackL and AndyL in their green outfits. Kinda negative in a photographic way.
Anyway, lets look at the teams.
Firestorm
The A1-AlphaDog-DominantLifeform-TopoftheFoodChain-ArnoldSchwarzenegger-ZombieLich-Galactus-CitizenKane-DalekEmperor of Northern Regionals. They laugh at this tournament (usually this is followed by a crack of thunder), and have managed to get it brought forward a week so they can get proper games at Easterns. And probably rightly so - once you've harvested the best talent and cut the chaff, as well as trained for months like the crazy eager buggers they are, what can you expect, aside from seeing Firestorm at the top of the trophy for another year.
Northerns Form: 2011 1st 2010 1st 2009 1st and 2nd (O/D squad); 2008 1st and 2nd (Troopers/Zippo), 2007 1st.
Player to Watch: All of the tricky beggars. Whoops, they've scored on you again. The one guy who probably hasn't flogged you before is named Dan. He'll flog you too apparently. And for the sake of Queensland pride at Nationals, please don't break any of them (treat J-Mac like he's your mother, which he is (spiritually)).
Towns-Villians
Evil, evil people from the True North, who will no doubt thrive in the hot and humid conditions this weekend. Like mould. Rumour has it that the Villians consider this a warmup tournament for coming again to smash and grab the Div2 Nationals title. We shall see. The roster may be a little short, but they've picked up a dark lords in the form of the best of the Cairns Mob, and as usual some dudes will just appear out of the blue. Looking forward to seeing the new outfits. Expect a forfeit on Sunday morning if tradition holds up.
Northerns Form: 2011 4th 2010 3rd 2009 4th (as Thor); 2008 3rd (as Thor); 2007 2nd (as Thor); 2006 4th (as No Panda).
Player to Watch: Hugh Osborne has moved to Perth like Hamish and Simone before him, but Keith is coming up from Tassie to drink JdR's liquour cabinet and play this one. Watch out for the guy in the old fashioned Dojo shirt.
Slamtown Flatball Club
Slamtown have had some highs and lows in their existence. This year's squad has been hardened up by the BPL, and boasts a very strong Byron Bay flavour. Expectations will be high, but if the gang parties like usual, Day 2 could be tough. If Northerns were My Kitchen Rules, these guys would be like those other famous Gold Coasters, Gary and Peter - know what they're doing but can seem a bit bitchy while doing it. Will battle Ignition to take the second Northern slot to Nationals, in some form or other.
Northerns Form: 2011 3rd 2010 2nd 2009 5th; 2008 4th (as The Pass)
Player to Watch: Stef Rappazzo of course. You can't help but look at him. Like a car wreck on legs. This guy is so tough he sweats blonde playgirls, craps steel I-beams and wees boiling tequila, lemon and salt - and that stuff doesn't have to fall far to hit the ground. Daughters should also be hidden from several members of this team. Jords will be much bigger this year, as he's going to Uni now and was apparently studying on Day 1, as will Dr Phil.
Firestorm Ignition
They've got Mansauce. What more should we bother mentioning? I guess we could give all the other nicknames for the players on the team, just so you can sort them out for your heckling when they take on Slamtown in the Semi-Final. There's Jacksauce, CarlieCarlCarl, NotCarlI'mNotRelatedToHimLeaveMeAloneManHeyIAmTooOver18, Brownsauce, Brownsauce with Chives, TimTom, TomTim, Bendy, Rednut the Fatarsed Wombat, Dazzler, Nugget, Dan Dan Revolution, the Big G, and Paul "I'm a Real Australian Now, Maaaayte, Gimme Some Tinnies or I'll Wooloomooloo Yer Woollangabba, Bloke" S. Want to get that second slot to Nats, rather than the 3rd slot.
Northerns Form: 2011 2nd
Player to Watch: A mix of knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns, and various dressings. Um. Well, they're all kinda funny looking to watch. What the heck, let's talk up Guarin.
Griffith Heroes
A sexual chocolate of two prominent BUML Clubs, plus those darn Webb boys, who'll likely turn up in a 1969 Dodge Charger with the Confederate Flag painted on the roof and the doors welded shut. There's some young talent on this team, playing their first guy only games, which may suit dirty old swill-chucking farts like ... well basically Dusty and JdR. Still, lots of them have barely been on the same field together before, so expect their plays to be copied from Wikipedia.
Northerns Form: Zip
Player to Watch: Let's mention Dan Cohen, who anchored the Griffith AUGs 2011 team and Luke Stark, because he reads this sometimes.
Gympie G-Force
WELCOME GYMPIE! This is awesome to have them at their first big gig. Lots of unknowns to this blog on their sheet, but then three of them played the Q-Hat Final last year, and they've got their KFC-stained hands on Hello Moto, That's Mr Litzow To You Punk, and Former President Boevink, so don't play them down.
Northerns Form: Zip
Player to Watch: Michael Daly has the highest AFDA number of the tournament, at 19490.
Note for tipsters - since you'll all (except maybe for Crazy Pete) be putting Firestorm at the top of your list, we suggest you also tip the round robin goal difference. Assuming five games to 17 and time cap of 90 minutes against the other teams, how many points will Firestorm score against how many will they let in?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Northern Regionals Gearing Up
An update on the Queensland Open Ultimate Championships aka Northern Regionals, hosted by the Griffith University Ultimate Club on behalf of QUDA.
Dates: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March 2012 roughly 9am-5pm
Venue: Griffith Sports Fields, Kessels Rd, Nathan
Cost: $60 two days, or $30 one day.
Includes: Fields, insurance, lunches, BBQ, Saturday night party, prizes, and some surprises.
Team registration closes Friday 24 February, to allow the draw to be sorted. There are presently seven teams registered - Gympie G-Force, NQ Villains, Brisbane Firestorm, Brisbane Firestorm Ignition, the Gold Coast's Slamtown Flatball Club, Griffith University and the "Toowoomba" Heroes.
Player registration closes on Wednesday 29 February. Captains need to collect their players' money and forward it to the TD. Registering and paying on time means you'll get fed, as well as be properly insured.
Please register at: http://afda.com/rego/showdivision.php?divisionid=1950
If you are looking for a team, I am confident we'll be able to find one for you. Get in touch. We want everyone who wants to play to play! This is a great chance for less experienced players to get some quality game time against 'the big men'.
Dates: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March 2012 roughly 9am-5pm
Venue: Griffith Sports Fields, Kessels Rd, Nathan
Cost: $60 two days, or $30 one day.
Includes: Fields, insurance, lunches, BBQ, Saturday night party, prizes, and some surprises.
Team registration closes Friday 24 February, to allow the draw to be sorted. There are presently seven teams registered - Gympie G-Force, NQ Villains, Brisbane Firestorm, Brisbane Firestorm Ignition, the Gold Coast's Slamtown Flatball Club, Griffith University and the "Toowoomba" Heroes.
Player registration closes on Wednesday 29 February. Captains need to collect their players' money and forward it to the TD. Registering and paying on time means you'll get fed, as well as be properly insured.
Please register at: http://afda.com/rego/showdivision.php?divisionid=1950
If you are looking for a team, I am confident we'll be able to find one for you. Get in touch. We want everyone who wants to play to play! This is a great chance for less experienced players to get some quality game time against 'the big men'.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Day 2
More wins for Slamtown.
None for Ignition or Red Betty.
Two wins and a close loss to KAOS for Black Betty
Two close losses to the Colonies for Slamtown, who need to beat HoS this morning in order to stay relevant. I'm off to check it out.
None for Ignition or Red Betty.
Two wins and a close loss to KAOS for Black Betty
Two close losses to the Colonies for Slamtown, who need to beat HoS this morning in order to stay relevant. I'm off to check it out.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Game To Watch (With Hundreds Of Others)
Your mighty emperor is but a wee boy in comparison to his predecessor, who had already been around the block 17 times before ascending the throne. Unlike JdR and more like some of those Gold Coast / Ignition boys, my Nats-cherry is still in tact. And it's set to be a violent affair, with Quoll facing up against #1 seed Colony Plunder at 8:45 tomorrow morning.
So it will come as no surprise that I was a bit slow to realise just how spectacular the scheduled "Demo Games" will be. If your reading this blog, and you're not playing at nationals, your name is probably Craig. Last name: Behrendorf. Hi Crag! If you're wondering when is a good time to come and watch a game, it's gotta be the Feature Matches at 6:30pm on Friday and Saturday.
The first game will feature host-team Firestorm vs Chilly (Melbourne's highest seed). The idea is that this match is scheduled at a time when no other teams are playing. So there could be potentially 200 people on the side-lines, drinking and slandering Buzz-style. This will be a great time to invite a friend along, as there should be plenty of atmosphere and a highly skilled match.
That's all from me, probably until the war is won. Remember that you can keep track of the results as they happen (unsubstantiated claim) on the AUC2011 website.
So it will come as no surprise that I was a bit slow to realise just how spectacular the scheduled "Demo Games" will be. If your reading this blog, and you're not playing at nationals, your name is probably Craig. Last name: Behrendorf. Hi Crag! If you're wondering when is a good time to come and watch a game, it's gotta be the Feature Matches at 6:30pm on Friday and Saturday.
The first game will feature host-team Firestorm vs Chilly (Melbourne's highest seed). The idea is that this match is scheduled at a time when no other teams are playing. So there could be potentially 200 people on the side-lines, drinking and slandering Buzz-style. This will be a great time to invite a friend along, as there should be plenty of atmosphere and a highly skilled match.
That's all from me, probably until the war is won. Remember that you can keep track of the results as they happen (unsubstantiated claim) on the AUC2011 website.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Let's Talk Nationals!
Continuing 'decloak week', JdR offers a no doubt ill-informed preview of the Queensland teams representing at Nationals this weekend.
Make sure you get along and support! Here's all the official info!
Firestorm Will Do It
Put simply, this is quite possibly the strongest team Queensland has sent to an Open National titles in the last decade (barring perhaps the injury to John McNaughton).
Firestorm has trained very very hard over the last several months. The loss of Myall and Colo from the original selected list to injury doesn’t seem to have dented planning, and the tweaking at Northern Regionals was followed by a solid hit out at the Brisbane-Canberra Invitational.
Much of the team are now hitting their third or fourth Nationals together – George, Julz, Stu, Nat, Pallen, aL, Andy, Jangles, Finn, Gref, Jimmy, Buzz, Mike - meaning this is the time for the group to peak.
The stars are aligned – can they deliver? We think so – a top four finish is in reach after years in 5th-10th land.
What the heck – let’s forget our heads totally and tip them with our hearts to take the title and come in 1st.
Firestorm Ignition Will Be Firing At Every Click
If the Firestorm 'A team' does well at Nationals this year, it will be in part due to the push that’s been put on by the Firestorm ‘B team’ – Firestorm Ignition - at training and in scratch matches. This is something that arguably hasn’t happened often in the past. What’s more interesting is the high morale and sense of unity in the Ignition squad, which saw them handily dispose of the more fancied Gold Coasters and Townsvillians at Regionals earlier in the year (the rivalry with Slamtown is ongoing and something to be savoured – particularly as both have drawn the same pool for Day One).
Perhaps this comes from the consistency and good humour across the squad – where most other teams have a split between their angry silverbacks and their fired up young bucks, Ignition are almost uniformly happy fellas in their 20’s (or at least, they look it). Tim Fergs and Will Mitchell will nonetheless bring some “Old Gringo”/”Effing Mongrel” to the fresh faces.
Expect Ignition also to remind opponents how their entire team will be at home making love to their wives and girlfriends every night of the tournament, while the visitors have only their cold and lonely hostel beds to look forward to.
That said, and it’s a frickin’ hard call, the lack of star-power means we’re tipping them to finish in the 13-16th bracket. The game against Slamtown on Day 1 will be vital for that. But we’ll say 13th, as the home ground advantage means they can string together two wins at the end to go home winners.
Slamtown Flatball Club - Code Orange, Papa and of course, 'ERE WE GO!
Keeping to the theme, this is THE strongest ever Ultimate team to come out of the Gold Coast area in all of recorded history. Having the tournament near to home has meant that all the very best are available and most players on the team have at least a couple of Nationals under their belts.
Many of these players work together every week in the Brisbane Premier League, and the additions of BW, Mike and Hugh covers some weaknesses in height and steadiness.
This will be the key for the SFC – can they resist the showboat urges that play so well to the chicks at home and on the beach, but which simply deliver turnovers to the highly disciplined defensive outfits they’ll meet at Nats? We shall see and a lot will depend on Bads, Stef and a few others' abilities to keep it in their pants.
SFC are also bringing several Nats-virgins with them – Mike M, Troy Z, Joel, Bienstock, Kevvy (Kev's cherry is only half popped). Hopefully each of them can get electric quickly after the two hour drive up from the Coast – the speed and ferocity of Nationals has a history of blowing the Day One chances of teams heavy on rookies.
This is particularly the case for SFC as they face recent Nats finalists Colony and Fyshwick United in their opening pool. This of course also goes for Firestorm Ignition, who’re probably even greener (and we don’t just mean ‘full of Heroes’).
While the team will be scrambling to win every contest, point and game they can – and frankly, we’re confident they’ll improve on their seeding of 15th and hopefully with Ignition get the North Region a second certain slot for 2012 - long-term observers will be interested to see if this group can demonstrate the heart to turn the gang from Australia’s sixth largest city into a regular Nationals prospect, as opposed to an occasional appearance.
If you can’t follow the noise, look for the Orange and the good looks. If things go well against Ignition and then on Day 2, should make it up above 12th. Indeed, we’ll tip them to 12th.
Betty's Black and Red
Secrets, secrets! Let's let Facebook speak for this lot.
Make sure you get along and support! Here's all the official info!
Firestorm Will Do It
Put simply, this is quite possibly the strongest team Queensland has sent to an Open National titles in the last decade (barring perhaps the injury to John McNaughton).
Firestorm has trained very very hard over the last several months. The loss of Myall and Colo from the original selected list to injury doesn’t seem to have dented planning, and the tweaking at Northern Regionals was followed by a solid hit out at the Brisbane-Canberra Invitational.
Much of the team are now hitting their third or fourth Nationals together – George, Julz, Stu, Nat, Pallen, aL, Andy, Jangles, Finn, Gref, Jimmy, Buzz, Mike - meaning this is the time for the group to peak.
The stars are aligned – can they deliver? We think so – a top four finish is in reach after years in 5th-10th land.
What the heck – let’s forget our heads totally and tip them with our hearts to take the title and come in 1st.
Firestorm Ignition Will Be Firing At Every Click
If the Firestorm 'A team' does well at Nationals this year, it will be in part due to the push that’s been put on by the Firestorm ‘B team’ – Firestorm Ignition - at training and in scratch matches. This is something that arguably hasn’t happened often in the past. What’s more interesting is the high morale and sense of unity in the Ignition squad, which saw them handily dispose of the more fancied Gold Coasters and Townsvillians at Regionals earlier in the year (the rivalry with Slamtown is ongoing and something to be savoured – particularly as both have drawn the same pool for Day One).
Perhaps this comes from the consistency and good humour across the squad – where most other teams have a split between their angry silverbacks and their fired up young bucks, Ignition are almost uniformly happy fellas in their 20’s (or at least, they look it). Tim Fergs and Will Mitchell will nonetheless bring some “Old Gringo”/”Effing Mongrel” to the fresh faces.
Expect Ignition also to remind opponents how their entire team will be at home making love to their wives and girlfriends every night of the tournament, while the visitors have only their cold and lonely hostel beds to look forward to.
That said, and it’s a frickin’ hard call, the lack of star-power means we’re tipping them to finish in the 13-16th bracket. The game against Slamtown on Day 1 will be vital for that. But we’ll say 13th, as the home ground advantage means they can string together two wins at the end to go home winners.
Slamtown Flatball Club - Code Orange, Papa and of course, 'ERE WE GO!
Keeping to the theme, this is THE strongest ever Ultimate team to come out of the Gold Coast area in all of recorded history. Having the tournament near to home has meant that all the very best are available and most players on the team have at least a couple of Nationals under their belts.
Many of these players work together every week in the Brisbane Premier League, and the additions of BW, Mike and Hugh covers some weaknesses in height and steadiness.
This will be the key for the SFC – can they resist the showboat urges that play so well to the chicks at home and on the beach, but which simply deliver turnovers to the highly disciplined defensive outfits they’ll meet at Nats? We shall see and a lot will depend on Bads, Stef and a few others' abilities to keep it in their pants.
SFC are also bringing several Nats-virgins with them – Mike M, Troy Z, Joel, Bienstock, Kevvy (Kev's cherry is only half popped). Hopefully each of them can get electric quickly after the two hour drive up from the Coast – the speed and ferocity of Nationals has a history of blowing the Day One chances of teams heavy on rookies.
This is particularly the case for SFC as they face recent Nats finalists Colony and Fyshwick United in their opening pool. This of course also goes for Firestorm Ignition, who’re probably even greener (and we don’t just mean ‘full of Heroes’).
While the team will be scrambling to win every contest, point and game they can – and frankly, we’re confident they’ll improve on their seeding of 15th and hopefully with Ignition get the North Region a second certain slot for 2012 - long-term observers will be interested to see if this group can demonstrate the heart to turn the gang from Australia’s sixth largest city into a regular Nationals prospect, as opposed to an occasional appearance.
If you can’t follow the noise, look for the Orange and the good looks. If things go well against Ignition and then on Day 2, should make it up above 12th. Indeed, we’ll tip them to 12th.
Betty's Black and Red
Secrets, secrets! Let's let Facebook speak for this lot.
Friday, February 25, 2011
In Summery
It seems like centuries ago that the JdR (RIP) announced that nothing happens over summer. While those at the former not-so-stately BUB mansion crammed on to the gold-plated hovercraft and headed to the beach.. while the fun-loving Monday Nighters were hitting the liquid training hard (It rained all summer, right?), our most elite girls and boys were ramping up their campaign... hitting the deck, sweeping the streets, running up mountains, meditating and climbing stairs on their assent to
Nationals - Brisbane 2011.
BUDA president (all-hail) Matt Ryan and a host of volunteers have been spending countless hours in preparation for hosting this event.
Black Betty and Firestorm started their campaign in November, with a short break over Christmas before coming back strong to shake off any notions of Christmas contentment. Both squads have successfully put two teams through Regionals,
Firestorm attending the most competitive Northern Regional Tournament in recent memory, with Slam Town (Gold Coast) and Villains (Townsville) vying for 3 spots. (report to come)
Women's Northern Regionals was held in Brisbane with a massive turnout from women across Brisbane, gaining a Wildcard for their second team.
(report to come).
--------------
Recruiting has been big this summer. A lot of rookies have stepped up to train for nationals, school and uni programs have started up again (Sunshine Coast and UQ in particular) and BPL clubs Buggers and Heroes opened up their selection process to those interested.
Blogging has also continued sporadically, and Julian Asange has been channeled with some mildly entertaining "Ultileaks".
----------------
BPL
Another new era begins under the reign of another Bugger, Graham "Special" Prickett. Team numbers remain at 6, but lists seem small and carefully manicured. UQ fades into oblivion (for now) with Los Banditos taking the young guys and the other guys making it onto MBB and Dojo lists (the latter, only if you are over 6'). Speaking of 6', SlamTown have adopted a Collingwood style line-up, boasting a lot of firepower from the men under 6'. Cobras will continue, but their line-up is heavily veiled at this point.
---------------
WUFL
Women's league will start again in April, after Nationals. All of the women involved have been encouraged to participate in the Black Betty machine.
-------------
BUML
After a year of maintaining the status quo, John & Co finally made moves to shake things up again. Games are being played across 3/4 venues (ASJC, Griffith, UQ/Oakman) and in slightly different time slots. The big difference this year is that the games are longer and you have to choose your division. While we here at the Imperial BUB Palace had concerns about what this means for recruiting, it doesn't seem to be an issue with the league ballooning out to 20 teams. There seems to be very few teams interested in playing Div 1, with UQ again disappearing, Super Heroes spreading out over Div 2 and Chimis disbanding after their mestizo leader chose to discard the fancy shorts for a pair of orange ones. Who will join Wuxi and Scougery at the top? It seems like Dyspnoeics will make a push for it. Are Poachers going that way too? Discheads will no doubt be under close watch, after taking out the premiership in Div 2 last season.
--------------------
It seems like the times, they are a'changin... and we here at the Imperial BUB Palace are not so foolish to come to the cross-roads without our noccs. While looking ahead, we foresee an unusual time of change, we have aligned our take-over with the changing-of-the-guard, while observing the skies and consulting Eddie the Elephant (whose trunk was surely up) we strongly believe that it is safe to declare: The horizon looks glorious for ultimate in SEQ!
Nationals - Brisbane 2011.
BUDA president (all-hail) Matt Ryan and a host of volunteers have been spending countless hours in preparation for hosting this event.
Black Betty and Firestorm started their campaign in November, with a short break over Christmas before coming back strong to shake off any notions of Christmas contentment. Both squads have successfully put two teams through Regionals,
Firestorm attending the most competitive Northern Regional Tournament in recent memory, with Slam Town (Gold Coast) and Villains (Townsville) vying for 3 spots. (report to come)
Women's Northern Regionals was held in Brisbane with a massive turnout from women across Brisbane, gaining a Wildcard for their second team.
(report to come).
--------------
Recruiting has been big this summer. A lot of rookies have stepped up to train for nationals, school and uni programs have started up again (Sunshine Coast and UQ in particular) and BPL clubs Buggers and Heroes opened up their selection process to those interested.
Blogging has also continued sporadically, and Julian Asange has been channeled with some mildly entertaining "Ultileaks".
----------------
BPL
Another new era begins under the reign of another Bugger, Graham "Special" Prickett. Team numbers remain at 6, but lists seem small and carefully manicured. UQ fades into oblivion (for now) with Los Banditos taking the young guys and the other guys making it onto MBB and Dojo lists (the latter, only if you are over 6'). Speaking of 6', SlamTown have adopted a Collingwood style line-up, boasting a lot of firepower from the men under 6'. Cobras will continue, but their line-up is heavily veiled at this point.
---------------
WUFL
Women's league will start again in April, after Nationals. All of the women involved have been encouraged to participate in the Black Betty machine.
-------------
BUML
After a year of maintaining the status quo, John & Co finally made moves to shake things up again. Games are being played across 3/4 venues (ASJC, Griffith, UQ/Oakman) and in slightly different time slots. The big difference this year is that the games are longer and you have to choose your division. While we here at the Imperial BUB Palace had concerns about what this means for recruiting, it doesn't seem to be an issue with the league ballooning out to 20 teams. There seems to be very few teams interested in playing Div 1, with UQ again disappearing, Super Heroes spreading out over Div 2 and Chimis disbanding after their mestizo leader chose to discard the fancy shorts for a pair of orange ones. Who will join Wuxi and Scougery at the top? It seems like Dyspnoeics will make a push for it. Are Poachers going that way too? Discheads will no doubt be under close watch, after taking out the premiership in Div 2 last season.
--------------------
It seems like the times, they are a'changin... and we here at the Imperial BUB Palace are not so foolish to come to the cross-roads without our noccs. While looking ahead, we foresee an unusual time of change, we have aligned our take-over with the changing-of-the-guard, while observing the skies and consulting Eddie the Elephant (whose trunk was surely up) we strongly believe that it is safe to declare: The horizon looks glorious for ultimate in SEQ!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Nationals Review - A Firestorm Perspective
We were lucky enough for Messr J McNaughton stumble into the stately BUB Manor after he was de-throwned as the head of the Storm of Fire, allegedly following some form of salary cap scandal. Before he realised where he was and escaped, we managed to strap him down in the dungeon and force some answers out of him regarding the recent Australian National Championships held in Adelaide, where Firestorm finished 8th.
1. How do you feel about Firestorm's drop in placings from last year with what seemed a better quality team? Is this a reflection of the growing strength of Australian Ultimate, or did the team just lack the fire in the vital games? Did injuries or fatigue play a key role?
We were disappointed with the result. We were aiming to improve our placing this year, due to a stronger team and better training regimen, so to drop a few places wasn't fun.
The competition was certainly significantly stronger than last year - this was certainly the highest standard of competition I've seen at Nationals, evidenced by the fact we played the reigning champions for 7th. I-Beam really stepped up, Sydney made a strong return with their Colony teams, and Karma were good at home. Chilly, Fyshwick and HoS are great teams, but even they couldn't crack top 3 this year.
Having said that, there were certainly things we could have done better. Our conditioning wasn't up there with the top teams, and we struggled to put together a full consistent game (Karma may have been our best performance there). Injuries were certainly a concern - we lost a good handler/cutter in Dean a month before Nationals, and a number of players were carrying injuries that both restricted their lead-up training and impaired their tournament performance. Conditioning will be a big focus of coming seasons, as this should also help our mental game and our injury prevention.
2. You did have 3 games go to Golden Point, and your final placing game was only decided by 2 points. Was it just a matter of a couple of lucky breaks not going Firestorm's way that made the difference between a 5th place finish and the 8th place achieved?
I could never really argue for lucky breaks as the deciding factor, as tempting as it seems. I think our biggest weakness was our offence - while we worked hard on defence this season, and played it pretty well, we struggled to adapt to different conditions and different kinds of defences, The inability to really dominate on offence and score consistently in tight situations would have been one of the biggest deciding factors.
3. Did you have any idea that I-Beam would be the team to take the title? At what point during the tournament did you start to think they could do it?
Honestly, not at all. They were 4th last year, and that was in the absence of any real Sydney threats. Their early season results were nothing special, with a 3rd placing at Regionals and something similar at BCI.
Their Nationals roster, though, was very strong and very experienced. They have a lot of very talented players who know each other very well, and they understand how to play with each other. I think the warning bells for other teams started when they upset Chilly on day 2.
4. With the top 4 slots being taken up by Eastern teams, and Southern teams filling the next 3 spots, what do teams in the North need to do to mix it with these teams.
Regular competition is a huge part of the Eastern and Southern strength - they have multiple strong clubs that can take each other on regularly. Firestorm are already planning to increase our travel to tournaments in future, to overcome this problem.
Most of these teams also have players that have genuinely been to the top level, playing in National finals in the past and representing the country with the Dingos. We are a relatively young club, and our individual players don't quite have the same experience and understanding - while we've got a lot of great young guys coming through, there's still quite a way to go. Hopefully in the next few years, we'll have more guys becoming involved in rep teams, or moving to senior player roles where they can develop the edge for winning big games.
5. Who from Firestorm really stood out for you during the tournament?
I have to mention Pete Allen and Dan Young as block-getting machines. Those boys really stepped up and played the best defence I've ever seen from them. Jangles had a really strong tournament, consistently offering open cuts and making good choices. Silent George, Jules and Gref took on some really tough match-ups over the weekend and made some great plays.
As much as it sounds like the regular club line though, I was really excited by our depth at Nationals. Everyone was able to play and perform at that level, which was excellent.
6. Do you think that a home Nationals will benefit Firestorm and other Northern teams next year? In what way?
A home Nationals will be great for us. From a club management perspective, it opens opportunities for promoting the club and helping it to grow; from a players' perspective, it's a lot cheaper (making more lead-up tournaments viable) and it's nice to sleep in your own bed. This is a great chance for the club to grow rapidly in various ways.
7. With so many Northerners in the Thunder team, how did you see this team go at Nationals? How do you see them going in Germany at U19 Worlds in a few months?
I actually saw very little of Thunder at Nationals, which was disappointing. As a group, their skills are better than in previous years, and they've been physically well prepared for a long time. I think that Nationals would have been great for their play, and with another couple of months and camps under their belts, they should be a genuine force in Germany.
With those last words, we decided that Jmac had endured enough punishment of a constant slideshow of pictures of all Australian Ultimate players that had ever worn a mankini, and we thanked him and released him from our clutches.
1. How do you feel about Firestorm's drop in placings from last year with what seemed a better quality team? Is this a reflection of the growing strength of Australian Ultimate, or did the team just lack the fire in the vital games? Did injuries or fatigue play a key role?
We were disappointed with the result. We were aiming to improve our placing this year, due to a stronger team and better training regimen, so to drop a few places wasn't fun.
The competition was certainly significantly stronger than last year - this was certainly the highest standard of competition I've seen at Nationals, evidenced by the fact we played the reigning champions for 7th. I-Beam really stepped up, Sydney made a strong return with their Colony teams, and Karma were good at home. Chilly, Fyshwick and HoS are great teams, but even they couldn't crack top 3 this year.
Having said that, there were certainly things we could have done better. Our conditioning wasn't up there with the top teams, and we struggled to put together a full consistent game (Karma may have been our best performance there). Injuries were certainly a concern - we lost a good handler/cutter in Dean a month before Nationals, and a number of players were carrying injuries that both restricted their lead-up training and impaired their tournament performance. Conditioning will be a big focus of coming seasons, as this should also help our mental game and our injury prevention.
2. You did have 3 games go to Golden Point, and your final placing game was only decided by 2 points. Was it just a matter of a couple of lucky breaks not going Firestorm's way that made the difference between a 5th place finish and the 8th place achieved?
I could never really argue for lucky breaks as the deciding factor, as tempting as it seems. I think our biggest weakness was our offence - while we worked hard on defence this season, and played it pretty well, we struggled to adapt to different conditions and different kinds of defences, The inability to really dominate on offence and score consistently in tight situations would have been one of the biggest deciding factors.
3. Did you have any idea that I-Beam would be the team to take the title? At what point during the tournament did you start to think they could do it?
Honestly, not at all. They were 4th last year, and that was in the absence of any real Sydney threats. Their early season results were nothing special, with a 3rd placing at Regionals and something similar at BCI.
Their Nationals roster, though, was very strong and very experienced. They have a lot of very talented players who know each other very well, and they understand how to play with each other. I think the warning bells for other teams started when they upset Chilly on day 2.
4. With the top 4 slots being taken up by Eastern teams, and Southern teams filling the next 3 spots, what do teams in the North need to do to mix it with these teams.
Regular competition is a huge part of the Eastern and Southern strength - they have multiple strong clubs that can take each other on regularly. Firestorm are already planning to increase our travel to tournaments in future, to overcome this problem.
Most of these teams also have players that have genuinely been to the top level, playing in National finals in the past and representing the country with the Dingos. We are a relatively young club, and our individual players don't quite have the same experience and understanding - while we've got a lot of great young guys coming through, there's still quite a way to go. Hopefully in the next few years, we'll have more guys becoming involved in rep teams, or moving to senior player roles where they can develop the edge for winning big games.
5. Who from Firestorm really stood out for you during the tournament?
I have to mention Pete Allen and Dan Young as block-getting machines. Those boys really stepped up and played the best defence I've ever seen from them. Jangles had a really strong tournament, consistently offering open cuts and making good choices. Silent George, Jules and Gref took on some really tough match-ups over the weekend and made some great plays.
As much as it sounds like the regular club line though, I was really excited by our depth at Nationals. Everyone was able to play and perform at that level, which was excellent.
6. Do you think that a home Nationals will benefit Firestorm and other Northern teams next year? In what way?
A home Nationals will be great for us. From a club management perspective, it opens opportunities for promoting the club and helping it to grow; from a players' perspective, it's a lot cheaper (making more lead-up tournaments viable) and it's nice to sleep in your own bed. This is a great chance for the club to grow rapidly in various ways.
7. With so many Northerners in the Thunder team, how did you see this team go at Nationals? How do you see them going in Germany at U19 Worlds in a few months?
I actually saw very little of Thunder at Nationals, which was disappointing. As a group, their skills are better than in previous years, and they've been physically well prepared for a long time. I think that Nationals would have been great for their play, and with another couple of months and camps under their belts, they should be a genuine force in Germany.
With those last words, we decided that Jmac had endured enough punishment of a constant slideshow of pictures of all Australian Ultimate players that had ever worn a mankini, and we thanked him and released him from our clutches.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tantric Week ... and Now to Adelaide
Well its been a tantric week, or is that a frantic week, here at stately Brisbane Ultimate Blog mansion, and tonight the mansion's residents are off to Adelaide for the National titles.
There's a big blue bucket, freshly stolen from a walrus or something, full of Nationals coverage out there on the internet in its various forms.
Best of luck to our main representative teams - Firestorm and Black Betty - as well as the plucky never say die representative teams Ghengis (a gathering of BNE/GC/NNSW lads) and the Sand Dunes (Manly/Hills combo out of Sydney featuring four Queensland lasses).
Ok, that's it - we're out of here ....
There's a big blue bucket, freshly stolen from a walrus or something, full of Nationals coverage out there on the internet in its various forms.
Best of luck to our main representative teams - Firestorm and Black Betty - as well as the plucky never say die representative teams Ghengis (a gathering of BNE/GC/NNSW lads) and the Sand Dunes (Manly/Hills combo out of Sydney featuring four Queensland lasses).
Ok, that's it - we're out of here ....
Monday, April 12, 2010
Firestorm Showcase - Inside Knowledge
So yesterday we fired up about Tuesday night's battle!
Well, here's the info from our "deep throat" within the anti-Firestorm camp, who goes by the pseudonym of Ekim Dlien. Yes, he is a little Arabian, in the Lawrencian mode.
Very clever of the FIGJAM to try to keep their lineup quiet. Avoiding all those salary-cap investigations and stuff.
Well, here's the info from our "deep throat" within the anti-Firestorm camp, who goes by the pseudonym of Ekim Dlien. Yes, he is a little Arabian, in the Lawrencian mode.
Dossier - Moreton Bay Figjam (Fris I'm Good Just Ask Me)
Player Rundown
Ryan Black - Original Frisbee Dojo - There is no pain in this Dojo.
Tim Ferguson - At least a decade of bleeding maroon for Queensland
on the frisbee field. MBB original.
Mike Neild - MBB, Dingos, Thong, Crocs, MBB, FIGJAM.
Lee O'Dwyer - Gold Coast in hair cut, lifestyle, Frisbee club and
attitude - "yeah i might be able to make it, i'll let you know sometime next week". "I'm keen to smash them though ey".
Graham 'Special G' Pricket - MBB - the only guy going around in
Brisbane who can claim an Open Australian National title. He did however have to sell his soul to Victoria for the pleasure.
Stefan Rappazzo - the man with the plan - the heart, mind and
hammer of the new frisbee power in South East Queensland - Slamtown.
Manuel Romerez - MBB, The Colombian Killa, the Bogota Bomber - at
least the opposition finds him as hard to predict as we do.
Mat Ryan - The angriest man in Queensland Ultimate, and that was
before he started coaching womens Frisbee. Watch out.
Spinner Sheppard - MBB, the height, the length, the spirit and the
tooth. Spinner!
Reece Stewart - Cobra, A top product of the Kelvin Grove State College Excellence in Ultimate Frisbee program, one of the few Queenslanders playing frisbee for Australia this year.
Dave Watson - You think you know but you have no idea - There is no fear in this Dojo.
Dan Walls - Still the most exciting new prospect in Brisbane Ultimate after almost a decade of fris - there is no defense for this Dojo.
Brenton Williamson - UQ lover, Firestorm Squad member - If you can't join em, beat em.
Very clever of the FIGJAM to try to keep their lineup quiet. Avoiding all those salary-cap investigations and stuff.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Firestorm Showcase - Tuesday Night!
Firestorm, the Brisbane-based Open Ultimate club, will be competing at the Australian Ultimate Championships in Adelaide from 24 to 27 April.
As part of its preparation, the lads will be playing Brisbane's best of the rest in a showcase game!
Head on down and give Firestorm a Nationals send off - take your black and yellow pom poms!
WHEN: Tuesday 13 April,7:15-9:15pm 7.45pm for an 8pm start.
WHERE:most likely Oakman Park, Moggill Rd, Toowong Oval 4, near to the swimming pool at the University of Queensland, St Lucia.
The management will be presenting the Firestorm team with their jerseys for Nationals on this evening - this will be the first game in the new strip.
Firestorm's opponents will be a team of old hands and young guns assembled and led by Mike Neild, and will be hungry for an upset victory.
There will be a BBQ and drinks for sale, cheap.
As part of its preparation, the lads will be playing Brisbane's best of the rest in a showcase game!
Head on down and give Firestorm a Nationals send off - take your black and yellow pom poms!
WHEN: Tuesday 13 April,
WHERE:
The management will be presenting the Firestorm team with their jerseys for Nationals on this evening - this will be the first game in the new strip.
Firestorm's opponents will be a team of old hands and young guns assembled and led by Mike Neild, and will be hungry for an upset victory.
There will be a BBQ and drinks for sale, cheap.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Regionals Preview and Your Invitation to Tip
So after a bit of a cull, it looks like the Open Division of Northern Regionals has settled into five teams.
Lets go through the teams, and you can put your tips in below. Rosters can be viewed here.
The A1-AlphaDog-DominantLifeform-TopoftheFoodChain-ArnoldSchwarzenegger-ZombieLich-Galactus-CitizenKane-DalekEmperor of Northern Regionals. They laugh at this tournament (usually this is followed by a crack of thunder), and have started lobbying to skip it in future. And probably rightly so - once you've harvested the best talent and cut the chaff, as well as trained for months like the crazy eager buggers they are, what can you expect, aside from seeing Firestorm at the top of the trophy for another year.
Northerns Form: 2009 1st and 2nd (O/D squad); 2008 1st and 2nd (Troopers/Zippo), 2007 1st.
Player to Watch: All of the tricky beggars. Whoops, they've scored on you again. The one guy who probably hasn't flogged you before is named Rob. He'll flog you too apparently. And for the sake of Queensland pride at Nationals, please don't break any of them (treat Buzz like he's your mother, which he is (spiritually)).
Towns-Villians
Evil, evil people from the True North, who will no doubt thrive in the hot and humid conditions this weekend. Like mould. Rumour has it that the Villians consider this a warmup tournament for coming again to smash and grab the inaugural Bashionals title. We shall see. The roster may be a little short, but they've picked up a dark lord in the form of Vinko of the Sith, and as usual some dudes will just appear out of the blue. Looking forward to seeing the new outfits. Expect a forfeit on Sunday morning if tradition holds up.
Northerns Form: 2009 4th (as Thor); 2008 3rd (as Thor); 2007 2nd (as Thor); 2006 4th (as No Panda).
Player to Watch: Hugh Osborne will occasionally blog on you. Mike Larson keeps getting better (at what, we're not sure). Hamish.
Slamtown Flatball Club
Slamtown have had some highs and lows in their short modern existence. This year's squad has been hardened up by a game or two in the BPL, and boasts a very strong Byron Bay/Channon flavour. Expectations will be high, but if the gang similar to last year then day two could be tough again. If Northerns were Survivor Heroes and Villains, these guys would be Coach. Will likely take the second Northern slot to Nationals, in some form or other.
Northerns Form: 2009 5th; 2008 4th (as The Pass)
Player to Watch: Stef Rappazzo of course. You can't help but look at him. Like a car wreck on legs. This guy is so tough he sweats blonde playgirls, craps steel I-beams and wees boiling tequila, lemon and salt - and that stuff doesn't have to fall far to hit the ground. Daughters should also be hidden from several members of this team. Jords will be much bigger this year, as will Dr Phil.
Brisbane Barbarians
The team named after this blog. A horde of unknown size, made up random Brisbane residents, who's idea of training is taking the Beenleigh line to the Muddy Farmer and going for a run involves dealing with last night's curry. Somehow both the Dave Lister and the german speed metal scene of Queensland Ultimate. As with last year, depth and having local beds/meals/women to go to may be the difference over travelling teams, particularly on Day 2. Planning to win Bashionals.
Northerns Form: 2009 3rd; 2008 5th.
Player to Watch: The Barbarians are a mix of knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns. Amongst the knowns, Rob Lowe will wave the QUDA credit card in front of you while cutting long. Amongst the unknowns, Fiji Ultimate's Neal Radcliffe is making the transition from dickin' around on the beach with bikini babes and a frisbee to some hard running Ultimate. How will he go? Amongst the unknown unknowns ... well, there's some dudes we met at BUML on Monday night who reckon they're coming down.
UQ Lovers Go with Trevor to Northerns
Only six registered as we type, but we're assuming UQ will get it together as it usually does (ie the last minute). While named the Lovers, this team will likely be very angry. Angry with having been cut from Firestorm. Angry with the GFC screwing up their plans of well paid easily-done GenY world travel and jobs. Angry with their flatmates, the women who say no to them, their parents. Angry at the whole damn world. And so they'll throw a lot of hammers. Should be planning to win Bashionals, but it might be a bit close to when assignments are due.
May we add though that its a great thing that members of best Ultimate Club in Queensland have finally removed themselves from the Firestorm teet and recognised that they should be playing at Regionals and driving towards Nationals in their own right. But we disgress). Is a home Nationals 2011 campaign on the cards? Expect their plays to be copied from Wikipedia.
Northerns Form: Unbelievably, UQ has never entered a team in this event. Unless you count Firestorm.
Player to Watch: Hard to say without knowing the full squad. Can Brenton, the star of AUGs, continue his upward trajectory?
Note for tipsters - since you'll all (except maybe for Crazy Pete) be putting Firestorm at the top of your list, we suggest you also tip the round robin goal difference. Assuming four games to 15 and time cap of 80 minutes against the other teams, how many points will Firestorm score against how many will they let in?
Also, why not try tipping the winners of Easterns and Southerns?
Lets go through the teams, and you can put your tips in below. Rosters can be viewed here.
The A1-AlphaDog-DominantLifeform-TopoftheFoodChain-ArnoldSchwarzenegger-ZombieLich-Galactus-CitizenKane-DalekEmperor of Northern Regionals. They laugh at this tournament (usually this is followed by a crack of thunder), and have started lobbying to skip it in future. And probably rightly so - once you've harvested the best talent and cut the chaff, as well as trained for months like the crazy eager buggers they are, what can you expect, aside from seeing Firestorm at the top of the trophy for another year.
Northerns Form: 2009 1st and 2nd (O/D squad); 2008 1st and 2nd (Troopers/Zippo), 2007 1st.
Player to Watch: All of the tricky beggars. Whoops, they've scored on you again. The one guy who probably hasn't flogged you before is named Rob. He'll flog you too apparently. And for the sake of Queensland pride at Nationals, please don't break any of them (treat Buzz like he's your mother, which he is (spiritually)).
Towns-Villians
Evil, evil people from the True North, who will no doubt thrive in the hot and humid conditions this weekend. Like mould. Rumour has it that the Villians consider this a warmup tournament for coming again to smash and grab the inaugural Bashionals title. We shall see. The roster may be a little short, but they've picked up a dark lord in the form of Vinko of the Sith, and as usual some dudes will just appear out of the blue. Looking forward to seeing the new outfits. Expect a forfeit on Sunday morning if tradition holds up.
Northerns Form: 2009 4th (as Thor); 2008 3rd (as Thor); 2007 2nd (as Thor); 2006 4th (as No Panda).
Player to Watch: Hugh Osborne will occasionally blog on you. Mike Larson keeps getting better (at what, we're not sure). Hamish.
Slamtown Flatball Club
Slamtown have had some highs and lows in their short modern existence. This year's squad has been hardened up by a game or two in the BPL, and boasts a very strong Byron Bay/Channon flavour. Expectations will be high, but if the gang similar to last year then day two could be tough again. If Northerns were Survivor Heroes and Villains, these guys would be Coach. Will likely take the second Northern slot to Nationals, in some form or other.
Northerns Form: 2009 5th; 2008 4th (as The Pass)
Player to Watch: Stef Rappazzo of course. You can't help but look at him. Like a car wreck on legs. This guy is so tough he sweats blonde playgirls, craps steel I-beams and wees boiling tequila, lemon and salt - and that stuff doesn't have to fall far to hit the ground. Daughters should also be hidden from several members of this team. Jords will be much bigger this year, as will Dr Phil.
Brisbane Barbarians
The team named after this blog. A horde of unknown size, made up random Brisbane residents, who's idea of training is taking the Beenleigh line to the Muddy Farmer and going for a run involves dealing with last night's curry. Somehow both the Dave Lister and the german speed metal scene of Queensland Ultimate. As with last year, depth and having local beds/meals/women to go to may be the difference over travelling teams, particularly on Day 2. Planning to win Bashionals.
Northerns Form: 2009 3rd; 2008 5th.
Player to Watch: The Barbarians are a mix of knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns. Amongst the knowns, Rob Lowe will wave the QUDA credit card in front of you while cutting long. Amongst the unknowns, Fiji Ultimate's Neal Radcliffe is making the transition from dickin' around on the beach with bikini babes and a frisbee to some hard running Ultimate. How will he go? Amongst the unknown unknowns ... well, there's some dudes we met at BUML on Monday night who reckon they're coming down.
UQ Lovers Go with Trevor to Northerns
Only six registered as we type, but we're assuming UQ will get it together as it usually does (ie the last minute). While named the Lovers, this team will likely be very angry. Angry with having been cut from Firestorm. Angry with the GFC screwing up their plans of well paid easily-done GenY world travel and jobs. Angry with their flatmates, the women who say no to them, their parents. Angry at the whole damn world. And so they'll throw a lot of hammers. Should be planning to win Bashionals, but it might be a bit close to when assignments are due.
May we add though that its a great thing that members of best Ultimate Club in Queensland have finally removed themselves from the Firestorm teet and recognised that they should be playing at Regionals and driving towards Nationals in their own right. But we disgress). Is a home Nationals 2011 campaign on the cards? Expect their plays to be copied from Wikipedia.
Northerns Form: Unbelievably, UQ has never entered a team in this event. Unless you count Firestorm.
Player to Watch: Hard to say without knowing the full squad. Can Brenton, the star of AUGs, continue his upward trajectory?
Note for tipsters - since you'll all (except maybe for Crazy Pete) be putting Firestorm at the top of your list, we suggest you also tip the round robin goal difference. Assuming four games to 15 and time cap of 80 minutes against the other teams, how many points will Firestorm score against how many will they let in?
Also, why not try tipping the winners of Easterns and Southerns?
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
BCI Less Than Four Weeks Away
What's likely to be the biggest tournament in Queensland this year (although there are rumours circulating about some ambitious Halibut action coming), the Brisbane-Canberra Invitational (great how Brisbane is first in that name there, like its an old fashioned sexist thing with Brisbane as the boy and Canberra is the girl or something) is on soon.
Tournament Director John McNaughton recently stepped out from the dodgy timber Firestorm share-house to face the assembled Ultimate media and read the following statement*.
*Which we have fleshed out a bit - the tape recorder we found in the desk drawer at stately Brisbane Ultimate manor kept playing up.
Tournament Director John McNaughton recently stepped out from the dodgy timber Firestorm share-house to face the assembled Ultimate media and read the following statement*.
So there you have it folks. John McNaughton's State of the BCI address. Expect more news to come. Now back to you in the studio.Ladies and gents of the press, and curious observers,
Thank you for joining me for this media conference. May I first acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Moreton Bay Buggers. I will beat you at BPL yet, you scurvy dogs.
I'm afraid I am pushed for time and there will be no questions, I shall instead read a short statement. George, the statement please. Thank you.
"The Golden City Classic has been run and won, which means that the 2010 BC
Invitational is less than 4 weeks away!
TOURNAMENT INFO
So here's the basics.
The BC Invitational is the Brisbane/Canberra Invitational, alternately hosted by Firestorm and Fyshwick United. It is an elite invitational tournament for the best teams in the country, and created with the goal of making it the premier Open/Women's tournament on the Australian Ultimate calendar, outside of
Nationals itself.
2010 will be the second time the tournament has been run, and Firestorm's
first year hosting.
It will be held at the Queensland State Hockey Centre in Brisbane on 27-28
February.
Let's talk Teams.
We've had a great response from invited teams this year, which will make for an intense and competitive tournament with the best clubs from around the country:
In the Open Division, we have of course Firestorm (from Brisbane, and the best and most good looking team), Fyshwick United (Canberra), Chilly (Melbourne), Heads of State (Melbourne), I-Beam (Newcastle), Karma (Adelaide), Sydney Men (I like that name - simple and to the point), and Auckland Open (ditto).
In the Women's Division, we have of course Black Betty (from Brisbane, and the most charming and well groomed team), FACTory Girls (Canberra), Sporting Team Box Athletico United (Melbourne), Honey (Melbourne), Indies (Perth), Sydney Women and Black Betty 2: Electric Boogaloo (Brisbane of course).
Instead of asking me silly questions, why not check out the website which has all the key information: http://firestorm.quda.org/?page_id=211
Or you could try meeting us privately to ask questions or do other things that consenting adults do together in private - use the Contact Us page if you have any questions, or email me directly. Note that I'm afraid our rubber-wear expert has left the country.
We will be aiming to keep the website up to date with everything over the coming weeks, as much as possible, and posting score/game updates throughout the tournament. Yes, you can follow along at home with your mates, and bet matches or something on the games. We also intend to provide frequent score/game updates at the tournament on the Firestorm Ultimate Twitter feed:http://twitter.com/firestormulti
We hope to share some footage and hopefully overwhelm the media, so it doesn't look too hard for dodgy party photos. We are hoping to capture a reasonable amount of footage from the tournament, and possibly even make some form of lightly-edited DVD available for sale afterwards. No guarantees on this though - it's a bonus that we'll organise if everything else is well covered.
Finally, let me personally invite anyone in Brisbane to come down and see the best teams in Australia going at it. Please wear your Firestorm and Black Betty fan gear of course. The tournament draw will be posted on the website, including timeslots, so you can pick your match-ups if desired.
Looking forward to it. Thank you for your time media scrum. Please get out of the way now Simmo so that I may return to my regularly scheduled program."
*Which we have fleshed out a bit - the tape recorder we found in the desk drawer at stately Brisbane Ultimate manor kept playing up.
Friday, December 04, 2009
Brisbane Ultimate Blog presents ... Queensland Club of the Year 2009
At the QUDA Bash (occurring as we auto-set this to be posted for all you folks who’re missing it), the Brisbane Ultimate Blog was proud to present the award for the 2009 BUB Club of the Year!
In 2006 it was Bootius Maximus.
In 2007 it was the University of Queensland Ultimate Lovers.
In 2008, the UQ Lovers won again!
Who won in 2009?
But before we post the winner up here, lets go through the process and the countdown.
You'll remember how its done from previous years (we strive for a bit of consistency. Indeed, some clubs may be able to chart their points progress from year to year, to work out what years were better than others (all are good of course (how many sets of brackets can we fit in here?))))
Qualifying Elements
1. Clubs must play two tournaments, or have travelled over 700km for one tournament, or have been included in the previous year’s Club of the Year counting.
2. Club must be majority Qld or NNSW players.
3. Players may play for multiple clubs through the year, but only one club per event.
4. Clubs may accrue additional points via multiple teams in the same event.
5. A tournament must have at least four teams to be included, and be by open invitation/qualification (hence, NUFL not included, as only certain clubs can compete).
Determining Points
1. Points are given for placing in relation to the size of the tournament. Last place gets 100 points, each placing above that gets 100 points, but to 10 teams.
2. If there are more than 10 teams, the maximum points are 1000, and the points per placing distributed down to 100 points for last.
3. Spirit points are given as 20 points per team at the tournament - so for example, winning spirit at a 8 team tournament is 160 points.
4. There is a travel bonus to recognise that getting a team a distance takes more effort. 50km-700km is 100 points, 700-1400km is 200 points, more than 1400km is 300 points
5. Bonus points up to 100 for miscellaneous at the discretion of the award organiser.
6. If there are two divisions in a tournament, second division is treated as a separate event, although points are valued at 75%.
Last year we tried to add a bit of an intangible through Captain voting. But most Captains were too busydrinking with something else to vote, so we decided its too hard.
Sorry if we’ve made any mistakes – let us know and we’ll fix them.
Second to last tangent - we also looked this year at how we could account for League Clubs, but weren't able to come up with a good formula, particularly given BUML has yet to finish for the year. Maybe next time around, Mellow Yellow.
Final tangent – thanks to everyone who’s interested in this. We’re pleased that the prestige (well, noting at least) of this Award has grown from year to year. As always, we offer it with a knowledge of its limitations – and invite anyone who reckons they can do better to get on with it!! :0
So take a seat and let us get into the Countdown!
11th-14th Lounge Lizards (426 points), Barbarians (300 points), Dojo Mojo (150 points), Griffith Guerillas (100 points)
All these teams only played one tournament this year, and entered calculations based on their past experiences as a Club. Maybe next year they’ll enhance their existence? Most sympathy to the Guerillas, who came 12th in Division 1 at AUGs, and probably would’ve smashed a few teams in Division 2, but that’s the gamble. It was great to see the Dojo Club remembering what weekend Ultimate was all about, with a visit to the Slamtown Invitational in the middle of the year. The year was a great third run at Regionals for the Brisbane Barbarians, demonstrating their pluck by taking third place and getting their name on the trophy. And providing that a great idea will never die, the Lounge Lizards came off their rock(ers) for a run at Halibut, taking a healthy 8th position and plenty of points.
10th Slamtown Flatball Club (700 points)
2009 was a tricky year for interpreting the Gold Coast’s growing strength on the Queensland Ultimate scene. Indeed, as the quality has grown, many GC players took the opportunity to play for a variety of clubs through the year, including the Stimulated combo at Halibut and all sorts of groupings at Big Sky 9s. But near as we in the stately mansion can determine, the SFC got a roll at Regionals for 5th (100 points) and Lovefest for 3rd (500 points)
9th Fresh Fries Upsized (800 points)
There will no doubt be claims that the Fresh Fries and the Trevor clubs have a very similar roster and ethos, and therefore should have their points combined. But, you need to have pretty much the same name from tournament to tournament to be a real club in our eyes! Sorry gang (but add those points up if you wish, and there is still a bit of a surprise below!) The Fresh Fries are included under their own name, even though they only played one event in 2009 (Eastern Juniors), because they also played last year. 600 points for winning the 6 team tussle, plus a further 200 points for the travel.
8th Townsville (903 points)
Was there a club called Townsville this year? Well, kinda, and we figure the continuity of some Townsville squads over the years means that we’re adding up their points together as one group. Argue all you want, but remember its a big effort for Townsville to get along to tournaments elsewhere in Queensland, and whether as Thor at Regionals, or the Downstairs Mixup at Halibut, we’re adding up those points, adding in those travel bonuses, and naming them 8th this year (down from 6th in 2008).
7th Trevor Goes to the Club of the Year Awards (1094 points)
Its been a big year for the Trevor franchise, with teams including Trevor Goes to Slamtown, Trevor Goes to Halibut, Trevor Goes to Lovefest and Trevor Skies Mike Neild getting plenty of attention and racking up the points for participation, participation, participation (and having fun too).
Indeed, it is with great pleasure that we name Trevor as winners of the Brisbane Ultimate Blog NEW Club of the Year Award! Well done gang!
6th QUT River Rats (1163 points)
Another big year for the QUTies, one of Queensland's oldest clubs. Successful again in League play, but its their adventures of their Women’s squad at Regionals that really set them apart ... wait, hang on, they did win a nice bronze medal for the first time in Div 2 at AUGs .... plus pulling 9th place at the highly competitive Big Sky 9s. Actually, its probably QUT’s biggest year ever! (For those checking – 2006 680 points, 2007 900 points, 2008 580 points).
5th Delirium (1271 points)
Pulled together to represent Brisbane and Queensland at Mixed Nationals 2009, Delirium showed off the finest shirts in all northerndom while gathering the best talent. A warm-up at Lovefest plus the long road to Hobart and the 12th of 23 result gave them the goods!
4th Sultry (1470 points)
A busy final year for the sauciest logo in Queensland Ultimate sees the ladies go fourth. Two teams plus a spirit win at Regionals, a trip to Perth for Nationals, plus down to Canberra for the BCI, led to a healthy total.
3rd Mind the Gap (1707 points)
Once again this year, the venerable Mind the Gap showed everyone how its done, putting teams in for Halibut (6th), Lovefest (2nd) and Big Sky 9s (8th). Yes, participation is the name of the game, even when you’ve got the zimmer frame waiting patiently for you on the sideline (although perhaps the recruitment of some younger folk for a Gap-year also helped).
2nd Firestorm (2360 points)
A big year for Firestorm, with 5th place at Nationals, 1st and 2nd at Northern Regionals, and 8th at the inaugural Brisbane-Canberra Invitational down south there (looking forward to BCI2010 in Brisbane though!). A big year of travel too, to Perth and Canberra.
Now, some may argue that the rules of the BUB Club of the Year are skewed to prevent proper recognition of Firestorm as a club. All we can say in response is that you need to get your arses to more than three tournaments a year for us to take you seriously (and not come dead last at one of them)! More nicely, note that Firestorm topped its 2100 points of 2008 and 1440 of 2007 – maybe next year?
1st University of Queensland Ultimate Lovers (3415)
Yes, its a three-peat, and a smashing one at that (topping 2408 points from last year). But what do you expect from the biggest, oldest, best organised (Passion aside!) and most famous Ultimate Club in Queensland? In addition to its many League teams, UQ had a team at Slamtown, Halibut, two at Lovefest which it organised, and Big Sky 9’s, as well of course the best result for a Queensland team this year, taking home GOLD GOLD GOLD from the Australian University Games on the Gold Coast in October.
Well done UQ. If you ever get yourself a clubhouse (or even a small piece of wall at a pub), you’ll have three Club of the Year trophies now to put up there.
Well done UQ, and to everyone involved in Ultimate Clubs in Queensland!
In 2006 it was Bootius Maximus.
In 2007 it was the University of Queensland Ultimate Lovers.
In 2008, the UQ Lovers won again!
Who won in 2009?
But before we post the winner up here, lets go through the process and the countdown.
You'll remember how its done from previous years (we strive for a bit of consistency. Indeed, some clubs may be able to chart their points progress from year to year, to work out what years were better than others (all are good of course (how many sets of brackets can we fit in here?))))
Qualifying Elements
1. Clubs must play two tournaments, or have travelled over 700km for one tournament, or have been included in the previous year’s Club of the Year counting.
2. Club must be majority Qld or NNSW players.
3. Players may play for multiple clubs through the year, but only one club per event.
4. Clubs may accrue additional points via multiple teams in the same event.
5. A tournament must have at least four teams to be included, and be by open invitation/qualification (hence, NUFL not included, as only certain clubs can compete).
Determining Points
1. Points are given for placing in relation to the size of the tournament. Last place gets 100 points, each placing above that gets 100 points, but to 10 teams.
2. If there are more than 10 teams, the maximum points are 1000, and the points per placing distributed down to 100 points for last.
3. Spirit points are given as 20 points per team at the tournament - so for example, winning spirit at a 8 team tournament is 160 points.
4. There is a travel bonus to recognise that getting a team a distance takes more effort. 50km-700km is 100 points, 700-1400km is 200 points, more than 1400km is 300 points
5. Bonus points up to 100 for miscellaneous at the discretion of the award organiser.
6. If there are two divisions in a tournament, second division is treated as a separate event, although points are valued at 75%.
Last year we tried to add a bit of an intangible through Captain voting. But most Captains were too busy
Sorry if we’ve made any mistakes – let us know and we’ll fix them.
Second to last tangent - we also looked this year at how we could account for League Clubs, but weren't able to come up with a good formula, particularly given BUML has yet to finish for the year. Maybe next time around, Mellow Yellow.
Final tangent – thanks to everyone who’s interested in this. We’re pleased that the prestige (well, noting at least) of this Award has grown from year to year. As always, we offer it with a knowledge of its limitations – and invite anyone who reckons they can do better to get on with it!! :0
So take a seat and let us get into the Countdown!
11th-14th Lounge Lizards (426 points), Barbarians (300 points), Dojo Mojo (150 points), Griffith Guerillas (100 points)
All these teams only played one tournament this year, and entered calculations based on their past experiences as a Club. Maybe next year they’ll enhance their existence? Most sympathy to the Guerillas, who came 12th in Division 1 at AUGs, and probably would’ve smashed a few teams in Division 2, but that’s the gamble. It was great to see the Dojo Club remembering what weekend Ultimate was all about, with a visit to the Slamtown Invitational in the middle of the year. The year was a great third run at Regionals for the Brisbane Barbarians, demonstrating their pluck by taking third place and getting their name on the trophy. And providing that a great idea will never die, the Lounge Lizards came off their rock(ers) for a run at Halibut, taking a healthy 8th position and plenty of points.
10th Slamtown Flatball Club (700 points)
2009 was a tricky year for interpreting the Gold Coast’s growing strength on the Queensland Ultimate scene. Indeed, as the quality has grown, many GC players took the opportunity to play for a variety of clubs through the year, including the Stimulated combo at Halibut and all sorts of groupings at Big Sky 9s. But near as we in the stately mansion can determine, the SFC got a roll at Regionals for 5th (100 points) and Lovefest for 3rd (500 points)
9th Fresh Fries Upsized (800 points)
There will no doubt be claims that the Fresh Fries and the Trevor clubs have a very similar roster and ethos, and therefore should have their points combined. But, you need to have pretty much the same name from tournament to tournament to be a real club in our eyes! Sorry gang (but add those points up if you wish, and there is still a bit of a surprise below!) The Fresh Fries are included under their own name, even though they only played one event in 2009 (Eastern Juniors), because they also played last year. 600 points for winning the 6 team tussle, plus a further 200 points for the travel.
8th Townsville (903 points)
Was there a club called Townsville this year? Well, kinda, and we figure the continuity of some Townsville squads over the years means that we’re adding up their points together as one group. Argue all you want, but remember its a big effort for Townsville to get along to tournaments elsewhere in Queensland, and whether as Thor at Regionals, or the Downstairs Mixup at Halibut, we’re adding up those points, adding in those travel bonuses, and naming them 8th this year (down from 6th in 2008).
7th Trevor Goes to the Club of the Year Awards (1094 points)
Its been a big year for the Trevor franchise, with teams including Trevor Goes to Slamtown, Trevor Goes to Halibut, Trevor Goes to Lovefest and Trevor Skies Mike Neild getting plenty of attention and racking up the points for participation, participation, participation (and having fun too).
Indeed, it is with great pleasure that we name Trevor as winners of the Brisbane Ultimate Blog NEW Club of the Year Award! Well done gang!
6th QUT River Rats (1163 points)
Another big year for the QUTies, one of Queensland's oldest clubs. Successful again in League play, but its their adventures of their Women’s squad at Regionals that really set them apart ... wait, hang on, they did win a nice bronze medal for the first time in Div 2 at AUGs .... plus pulling 9th place at the highly competitive Big Sky 9s. Actually, its probably QUT’s biggest year ever! (For those checking – 2006 680 points, 2007 900 points, 2008 580 points).
5th Delirium (1271 points)
Pulled together to represent Brisbane and Queensland at Mixed Nationals 2009, Delirium showed off the finest shirts in all northerndom while gathering the best talent. A warm-up at Lovefest plus the long road to Hobart and the 12th of 23 result gave them the goods!
4th Sultry (1470 points)
A busy final year for the sauciest logo in Queensland Ultimate sees the ladies go fourth. Two teams plus a spirit win at Regionals, a trip to Perth for Nationals, plus down to Canberra for the BCI, led to a healthy total.
3rd Mind the Gap (1707 points)
Once again this year, the venerable Mind the Gap showed everyone how its done, putting teams in for Halibut (6th), Lovefest (2nd) and Big Sky 9s (8th). Yes, participation is the name of the game, even when you’ve got the zimmer frame waiting patiently for you on the sideline (although perhaps the recruitment of some younger folk for a Gap-year also helped).
2nd Firestorm (2360 points)
A big year for Firestorm, with 5th place at Nationals, 1st and 2nd at Northern Regionals, and 8th at the inaugural Brisbane-Canberra Invitational down south there (looking forward to BCI2010 in Brisbane though!). A big year of travel too, to Perth and Canberra.
Now, some may argue that the rules of the BUB Club of the Year are skewed to prevent proper recognition of Firestorm as a club. All we can say in response is that you need to get your arses to more than three tournaments a year for us to take you seriously (and not come dead last at one of them)! More nicely, note that Firestorm topped its 2100 points of 2008 and 1440 of 2007 – maybe next year?
1st University of Queensland Ultimate Lovers (3415)
Yes, its a three-peat, and a smashing one at that (topping 2408 points from last year). But what do you expect from the biggest, oldest, best organised (Passion aside!) and most famous Ultimate Club in Queensland? In addition to its many League teams, UQ had a team at Slamtown, Halibut, two at Lovefest which it organised, and Big Sky 9’s, as well of course the best result for a Queensland team this year, taking home GOLD GOLD GOLD from the Australian University Games on the Gold Coast in October.
Well done UQ. If you ever get yourself a clubhouse (or even a small piece of wall at a pub), you’ll have three Club of the Year trophies now to put up there.
Well done UQ, and to everyone involved in Ultimate Clubs in Queensland!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Brisbane Ultimate Blog to Present Prestigious Award Once Again
Well, the heirarchy over at the QUDA HQ have invited Wettie and me to get out the tuxes and once again present the Queensland Ultimate Club of the Year Award at next week's QUDA Bash.
A quick search of this blog will demonstrate the esteemed and growing history of the award. Previous winners include the UQ Lovers (2008), the UQ Lovers (2007) and Bootius Maximus (2006).
The award is determined based on a calculation of club results at tournaments during the year. Here's the rules:
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Qualifying Elements
1. Clubs must play two tournaments, or have travelled over 700km for one tournament.
2. Club must be majority Qld or NNSW players.
Players may play for multiple clubs through the year, but only one club per event.
3. Clubs may accrue additional points via multiple teams in the same event.
4. A tournament must have at least four teams to be included, and be by open invitation/qualification (hence, NUFL not included, as only certain clubs can compete).
Determining Points
1. Points are given for placing in relation to the size of the tournament. Last place gets 100 points, each placing above that gets 100 points, but to 10 teams.
2. If there are more than 10 teams, the maximum points are 1000, and the points per placing distributed down to 100 points for last.
3. Points are given for winning Spirit. Points are calculated as 20 points per team at the tournament - so for example, winning spirit at a 8 team tournament is 160 points.
4. There is a travel bonus to recognise that getting a team a distance takes more effort. 50km-700km is 100 points, 700-1400km is 200 points, more than 1400km is 300 points
5. Bonus points up to 25 for miscellaneous at the discretion of the organiser.
A couple of changes to this year:
- A club also qualifies for calculation if it only entered one tournament, but it was a tournament it played in last year (ie it has a history of playing the tournament) - this is to recognise continuity from year to year. So for example, the Brisbane Barbarians, in their third year of playing Regionals, are in.
- We've done away with the 'Captains Voting' element we tried last year - it was too hard.
- If there are two divisions at the tournament, these are treated as two different tournaments. However, points in the lower division are awarded at 75%. So for example, QUTies will probably receive more points for their 3rd in Div 2 at AUGs than Griffith for its 12th in Div 1, but not a lot more.
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2009 Tournaments
The following tournaments are currently (hopefully) entering calculations - please let us know if we've missed ones you've played in: BCI, Northern Regionals, Nationals, Eastern Youths, Slamtown Invitational, Brisbane Indoor, Lovefest, AUGs, Mixed Nats and Big Sky 9s.
Qualifying Clubs
We think the following Clubs will be given points (based on the above). Please let us know if we've missed something: UQ Lovers, Mind the Gap, Lounge Lizards, Firestorm, Sultry, Delirium, Thor, Slamtown, Barbarians, Downstairs Mixup, Fresh Fries, Trevor, QUTies and Griffith Guerillas.
A quick search of this blog will demonstrate the esteemed and growing history of the award. Previous winners include the UQ Lovers (2008), the UQ Lovers (2007) and Bootius Maximus (2006).
The award is determined based on a calculation of club results at tournaments during the year. Here's the rules:
----------------------------------------------
Qualifying Elements
1. Clubs must play two tournaments, or have travelled over 700km for one tournament.
2. Club must be majority Qld or NNSW players.
Players may play for multiple clubs through the year, but only one club per event.
3. Clubs may accrue additional points via multiple teams in the same event.
4. A tournament must have at least four teams to be included, and be by open invitation/qualification (hence, NUFL not included, as only certain clubs can compete).
Determining Points
1. Points are given for placing in relation to the size of the tournament. Last place gets 100 points, each placing above that gets 100 points, but to 10 teams.
2. If there are more than 10 teams, the maximum points are 1000, and the points per placing distributed down to 100 points for last.
3. Points are given for winning Spirit. Points are calculated as 20 points per team at the tournament - so for example, winning spirit at a 8 team tournament is 160 points.
4. There is a travel bonus to recognise that getting a team a distance takes more effort. 50km-700km is 100 points, 700-1400km is 200 points, more than 1400km is 300 points
5. Bonus points up to 25 for miscellaneous at the discretion of the organiser.
A couple of changes to this year:
- A club also qualifies for calculation if it only entered one tournament, but it was a tournament it played in last year (ie it has a history of playing the tournament) - this is to recognise continuity from year to year. So for example, the Brisbane Barbarians, in their third year of playing Regionals, are in.
- We've done away with the 'Captains Voting' element we tried last year - it was too hard.
- If there are two divisions at the tournament, these are treated as two different tournaments. However, points in the lower division are awarded at 75%. So for example, QUTies will probably receive more points for their 3rd in Div 2 at AUGs than Griffith for its 12th in Div 1, but not a lot more.
---------------------------------------------
2009 Tournaments
The following tournaments are currently (hopefully) entering calculations - please let us know if we've missed ones you've played in: BCI, Northern Regionals, Nationals, Eastern Youths, Slamtown Invitational, Brisbane Indoor, Lovefest, AUGs, Mixed Nats and Big Sky 9s.
Qualifying Clubs
We think the following Clubs will be given points (based on the above). Please let us know if we've missed something: UQ Lovers, Mind the Gap, Lounge Lizards, Firestorm, Sultry, Delirium, Thor, Slamtown, Barbarians, Downstairs Mixup, Fresh Fries, Trevor, QUTies and Griffith Guerillas.
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