I realise this suggestion will not appeal to all but perhaps to prevent the top 3-4 teams having these “meaningless games” they should split off from the tour to form a ‘superleague’. They generally spend most of the year playing each other any way.
The A tour could then consist of the teams ranked 5-20. The B tour would be made up of the rest. For promotion/relegation after an event: Winners of the A tour replace the losers of the ‘superleague’ while promotion/relegation from B to A tour remains the same as this year 2 up 2 down. Advantages of this in my opinion are: Superleague: Regularly playing the 3 top teams therefore more competitive/meaningful matches all weekend. Get to play a 4th team due to promotion from/relegation to A tour. Only a small venue required (1-2 pitches) + no party necessary (Jamie;-)). Could even perhaps only play 1 day events (3 games), but play two or more tournaments to every A / B tour event. A tour: Teams out of the top 3 finally have a realistic chance of winning an event. Games will be more competitive as teams fight for the right to play the top 3. The standard of games should still be relatively high. The lower half the A tour will also be more competitive as, in my opinion, this year the standard of teams in the 13-18 bracket were similar, with the same teams being promoted and relegated after each event) . Winners of the A tour will also be able compare themselves to the top 3 by promotion to the superleague and see how they need to develop. B tour: Fewer teams now the top 4 are missing therefore more pitch time and therefore more time to improve game skills. Beginners will get to play relatively competitive games but still see the fun side of ultimate at this level. Venues: Also although in theory I am against having the tour events at different venues realistically with the number of teams now playing regularly I think it is inevitable that the A and B tours will be split between venues. However if possible I would hope that at least two events a year are held at the same venue but only if these venues can cater for the large numbers of teams e.g. venues such as Bristol (tour 1), Southampton (previous years) and Birmingham (Nationals this year). Tony Sheffield Steal Regular disclaimer that these are just my opinions and not those of my team/friends/family/pets etc….. Tony Hutton Department of Engineering Materials University of Sheffield Sir Robert Hadfield Building Mappin Street Sheffield, S1 3JD __________________________________________________ BritDisc mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://zion.ranulf.net/mailman/listinfo/britdisc Staying informed - http://www.ukultimate.com/informed.asp
