Hi
Fields-map is on the event webpage here: http://www.ukultimate.com/2012/04/14/uku_mixed_tour_2_2012 There were some discussions about space around fields last week (I was on holiday so didn't respond at the time). We have been trying to move all our events to having 5m run-off between the field perimeter and any fixed obstacles, whilst sometimes allowing for smaller distances if it can be shown/argued that some extra steps make it safer, or because the fixed obstacle is not actually dangerous. But as someone pointed out during the discussion, life is never quite as simple as that - and we do not always have 5m runoffs on all fields at our events. I did think we had got Cardiff Uni to use plastic fence posts around their cricket squares and it was a bit disappointing to see the metal ones back up last week. On the other hand it was great to see that the fence around the "caged" pitch had been moved further away from the back lines (I'm not suggesting they did that for us). So - we are working on the broader question of runoff safety zones. And WFDF championships-rules were also recently changed to allow TDs to reduce a field size for safety reasons. As we take on new venues we do work at having 5m spaces around all fields. You should find this to be the case in Nottingham this weekend. And in fact quite a few of the fields have more space than that. But whilst UKU and TDs can work on that, the nature of ultimate is that we all rely on each other quite a bit. That means we should all be thinking about the space around fields and not dumping dangerous and slow-to-move things close to a sideline. Kit bags placed 2-3m back from the sideline are generally unlikely to pose a significant risk (although there is still some risk). The obviously more dangerous examples are bikes, chairs and push-chairs. And because its Ultimate - that pretty much leaves all of us with some responsibility for looking out for ourselves and each other in this respect. That includes potentially asking spectators to move back - and maybe to put away their fold-up chair. If they don't and you really think it poses a danger to you or them, then maybe you actually have to stop playing and ask for some help from the TD. On the small-kids thing. All the same comments as above really. Anyone close to a sideline needs to be aware of the game (and aware of the need to move small child if the game comes in their direction). I suspect most parents are more on top of this than you might imagine as a casual observer. If you have a 2-yr old with you, you are pretty much assessing the risks in front of them all day and the side of an ultimate field is probably safer than the roadside, the kitchen, the top of the stairs, the bath, etc, etc. Plus the upside benefits of having your kids in such a fantastically generally-safe and friendly atmosphere as an ultimate tournament are not to be under-estimated. See you there Si Si Hill, UK Ultimate <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] Tel: 0844 8045949 Skype: sihill22 __________________________________________________ BritDisc mailing list [email protected] http://www.fysh.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/britdisc Staying informed - http://www.ukultimate.com/staying-informed
