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From: "Andrew Tucker" <andrew.tucker@warwick.ac.uk>
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Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 16:20:36 +0100
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Subject: Nationals
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These comments may seem a little biased given UTI's current 
position, but I would like to question the future of the Outdoor 
Nationals within the format it currently operates. In short what is 
the point in continuing to have a one off Nationals tournament now 
that we have an established and working tour/league?

It must be remembered that Nationals aren't just used to determine 
the UK National Champions, but also which teams can qualify for 
world club tournaments. How can a single tournament such as 
Nationals, even with careful seeding, be considered to give a more 
accurate and fairer ranking of teams than a series of 5 tournaments 
spread over a year?

Wouldn't it be better to perhaps have a slightly expanded tour and 
then combine the title of National Champion with the Ben Rainbow 
Trophy? World Club slots could be allocated on the tour results as 
well. The BUF Open could then take over the role as the main cup 
style knock out competition, so further increasing its profile and 
importance.

For instance there is far more importance attached to winning the 
Premier League both in terms of entry to European competition and 
prestige, than in winning the FA or League Cups. 

Just a few ideas,
Andy - Under-the-Influence

PS. Of course I wouldn't suggest anything should be changed this 
year, although thinking about it...