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To: britdisc@csv.warwick.ac.uk
Subject: Regional Rosters
Date: Wed, 3 Mar 1999 14:02:39 -0000 
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This was originally going just to you Chris, but as your server keeps
returning my messages it looks like fate wanted this as an open
discussion.....

We all understand - I think - why teams should be required to roster their
regional entries.  I won't bore you by repeating the arguments.  I agree
with them.  But there are situations where the rules - designed to promote
and protect a level playing field for all teams - disadvantage some teams -
particularly students.  Strange Blue (I hope you don't mind me speaking
about this Dora) have worked really hard to put a second team together for
the regionals.  It is a specifically student-related issue that this second
team (or third, or fourth) will consist of freshers, beginners etc who do
not get as many opportunities to compete.  In fielding multiple teams clubs
may be stretching their human resources to the point where, if a first team
player is injured, there is no one left to replace them.  So what should
they do?  Only take one team, to guarantee replacements if needed, or take
the second team, knowing that if the firsts qualify but suffer injury they
may have to give up their space at the nationals?

There is no easy solution.  As you have pointed out, Chris, by allowing
players to switch teams you run the risk of large clubs attempting to flood
the Nationals.  But I do think we should think about this seriously.  One
suggestion - by no means fool-proof - is to allow teams a designated number
of nominated reserves - one or two players who must be with that club, who
are allowed to play in the regionals with one team but then take up their
reserve place in the Nationals if required.  This will probably only help
student clubs anyway - there are very few non student clubs who put in
multiple teams - and by limiting the number of reserves you largely prevent
a team from amassing hundreds of pick-ups for the finals.

I'm always far too enthusiastic, and I'm sure a hundred people will tell me
why this can't work.  But discuss it quickly and sensibly and see if we
can't reach some sort of solution for teams like Strange Blue - it is in our
sport's best interests to help, rather than discourage, teams after all.

Thanks for reading this far.....



Mark
Whiplash