Should the UK Champs decide the 6 UK teams for the WHBPC?

Yep, you're right, we did say that last year. I think there's a bigger picture thing here, and we need to look at how BIG tournies worlds/continental are qualified for, and potentially a larger body (HBPFed?) can work out some guidelines (not rules) for how these qualifications should work. But I don't think that discussion is for here. Lets talk about it another time.

I think I should hold my hand up here, because had I done any work at all on preparing the way for a national organisation, we might have been in a better position to deal with this.

On that note, perhaps -we- I could get something together at the UK Champs.

Which begs the question:

if we were to do this (organising qualification for the Euros and Worlds) again, what would we do different?

Or perhaps a better question is:

what is the best place to discuss these questions?

31 to 7, I don't think people are that bothered by your point dude.
The two things aren't related, his point was made today a few hours ago and the vast majority had voted before the point was made.

In fact iirc, it was 27 - 3 when I looked yesterday, which means it's 4 - 4... (and skully voted on the first day of the poll)...

But as I've said before it doesn't really matter as noone has come forward to complain and it's basically been decided.

The results of the poll actually reinforce my point. Putting up a poll which asks if the majority of people already registered for something want their benefits extended is always going to have a majority yes, while the minority, who aren't registered, can never win. No-one was told they'd have to register for Manchester in order to compete for the worlds spots. This is pretty much what happened with the Euros qualies too.

Anyone remember last year when we discussed whether the league should determine Euros places? Some of the strongest arguments against were; the registration had closed so no more teams could join, the teams didn't join that competition with an expectation for it to be a qualifier for another, and other teams might form later (with good existing players) that would want a chance to qualify. These are the same arguments that stand here.

If we knew that no other teams wanted to compete, i'd say yes to UK champs as being qualifiers - i just think we've rushed to a poll without properly figuring this all out. Again. I'm not even sure that there would be anyone who would want to, but we're not even bothering to ask.

you're asking, again and again, and no-one is answering.

we've seen all this hypothetical crap before the euro's qualifiers were set up, and no-one else stepped forward.

i tell you what, how about some of you take some responsibility for the online polo community, instead of bitching about every fucking poll i set up for you to vote on and have your say.

Iain, I agree with you on alot of your points.

But there are quite a few yes votes in the poll from people who I suspect voted a bit like me. Who didn't vote yes due to being registered for manchester, but because they are realistic about their chance of succeeding to a level required.

There are teams which stand out as contenders for the worlds, and it may be contrived and objectional to say this, but they are already registered for the champs.
It seems pointless to hash together another tourney that will have the same core result. And may be just as inaccessable to some as some are argueing the champs are.

As said, I agree with alot of the points in theory and lets make sure they are put into practice next year.

I know what I am saying is pretty defeatist and that pragmatism is by no means the best approach.
But I genuinely believe in what was said about the teams with a serious chance. And far from being negative, I see it as a reason for hope in the UKs chances, that there are those who are at a standard.

Also isn't the uk champs quite a big step beyond the way it was figured last year?

And it seems that quite a few people are overlooking the pre tournament and throwin courts. This is going to be a very open and fun tournement so lets stop being so serious.

Though do feel free to ignore me, as I am sure I don't think about this as much as most of you.

What if people want to change up teams. Reshuffle all the teams and think about superstar teams. We could reconfigure for the worlds and have four months to train. Just for fun. North America is coming up with all kinds of dream team reconfigurations i think.

That's a substantive issue. But here is a procedural issue. Someone here has suggested that this vote demonstrates overwhelming opinion, but you'll note that otters has not voted. Some people are not voting because they question the legitimacy of the poll. And should we assume the UK polo massive is on this forum?

ok, matt, do you have a better suggestion for how we decide?

Maybe not every UK polo player is on this forum, but most are. If they aren't here, do you think they are somewhere else holding votes, or trying to let everyone have a say. This poll is on the open polo forum for a reason, so everyone can vote. people who aren't on here who want a say have to spend 3 minutes signing up then they can have their say.

...This is pretty much what happened with the Euros qualies too...

So, what are you saying? Was it a problem? NO, it was only a problem for people who just HAVE to have something to moan/bitch/whinge about.

And two people kicked up a big fuss about it, asking this question over and over and over, do more teams want to enter? Not one team stood up and wanted to enter, so the whole critical point you're trying to make is weak.

Reshuffle all the teams and think about superstar teams.

this is interesting.

That's a substantive issue. But here is a procedural issue.

this is true.

Someone here has suggested that this vote demonstrates overwhelming opinion, but you'll note that otters has not voted. Some people are not voting because they question the legitimacy of the poll. And should we assume the UK polo massive is on this forum?

they have an opinion this is an open forum, they can vote.... this is the main site for hardcourt bike polo in the UK... be it confusing and full of polotics.

Maybe not every UK polo player is on this forum, but most are. If they aren't here, do you think they are somewhere else holding votes, or trying to let everyone have a say. This poll is on the open polo forum for a reason, so everyone can vote. people who aren't on here who want a say have to spend 3 minutes signing up then they can have their say.

I agree with this, to aid communications within the uk is v.v important.
I also understand that a lot of people dont care (as in want things to flow naturally) about any of this and just wanna turn up and play. I also think this should be case, to a degree.

I think the allocation of the spots for the worlds need to be a little more considered. The more i think about it the more interesting ways we(UK) can put a team forward for the worlds. This is a great idea in theory but in practice would be a nightmare.

So, what are you saying? …

I'm saying; make a poll that decides what benefits will come of the event before registration for the event has closed. If it’s already closed, we should just ask if anyone else is interested and figure it out from there.

Gabes, I'm not having a go at you mate, and i'm not ‘moaning’. I’m taking time to point out what I feel is a way to improve things, so we don’t keep doing it. (you can’t say this is a good place to give opinion if you get called a moaner when you do!).

Wth the Euros, people actually did say they would have played, given the option. The poll was 17 to 18 if I remember – hardly overwhelming support for the idea.

sorry, took it the wrong way. I do get your point, but it's been put across again and again, and no-one has stepped forward and said they'd like a different chance to qualify.

Anyway, as you were.

I havent voted yet.

I am waiting to see if there are any more teams who want to play but are not going to UK champs.

If I vote yes, it's ONLY because we need to make a decision before April 30th. I honestly don't think we'll get a better opportunity than the UK champs. Trying to squeeze in another tourney (where everyone plays everyone = ideal) before the deadline will no doubt exclude even more people/teams.

We are in an unfortunate position with timing and selection, and I am the first to argue that everyone should be given the chance, but as far as we currently know, we are giving everyone who wants to play a chance.

but more importantly list!:
1: a fish
2: the wind beneath my wings
3: A gargantuan boner that talks
4: 3 is a dream of mine.
5: A bicycle with 3 wheels yes 3 negating the term 'bi'
6: Rays face.

but more importantly list!:
1: a fish
2: the wind beneath my wings
3: A gargantuan boner that talks
4: 3 is a dream of mine.
5: A bicycle with 3 wheels yes 3 negating the term 'bi'
6: Rays face.
7: Bill on holiday in europe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N01v-VCpYw

yay :D i love lists.

1, lists
2, polo
3, the word gargantuan

NO, it was only a problem for people who just HAVE to have something to moan/bitch/whinge about.

Pot, kettle?

Pot

ha!

lolz

they would apply to berlin for national spots like every other country.

nottingham has a club with 1 member on dotca, anyone have a contact?

I play in Nottingham. We've only been playing a few months now but I think we're looking to come to Manchester to spectate.

Jon.

I don't think that the UK Champs should be the decider, it was never planned or promoted as such, plus the format was chosen solely to fit the time available on court and not to provide the best indicator of the best teams in the UK...

I think if the UK Champs is to be used it should be announced IN ADVANCE and planned to be a format that will best identify the true top 8 UK teams, i think this will take longer to settle fairly than the 16 hours we have this year....

Interesting.

Indeed.