Selection process for EHBPC 2011 23-26.06.2011

Sorry, but organizing qualies for the Euros/Worlds is not about inclusivity and the future. It is about finding the best existing teams and sending them to the top tournies this year. Period.

In your opinion.

Probably 30+, but final numbers will probably depend on our allocation.

If we're only given 7 slots then I'd suggest that the number of realistic teams will reduce, however if we're given 12 then it'll go up.

30?!?!

In your opinion.

Thanks for clarifying that, Bill. Very helpful.

Inclusivity and grooming/training are what we do all year long. When it comes time for the Euros/Worlds, we should focus on finding the best mechanism possible to ensure that we send the best existing teams to the tournies. I think you would have to use some pretty tortured logic to argue otherwise. Or you could just not make an argument and try to belittle mine by calling it an opinion.

30?!?!

Yep.

10 slots means just 3 teams playing for each slot. I'm sure plenty of teams would find that attractive.

Scratch that, I think we should start organizing new scenes in Grimsby, Swindon and Preston, and give each of these scenes one slot for the Euros, just in case we happen to uncover some future world champs there.

I think you misunderstood his post. I don't think he was claiming that everyone should play in the Euros, more that everyone involved in polo should feel that playing in the Euros is an achievable goal and that qualification is a process they feel part of.

Yep.

10 slots means just 3 teams playing for each slot. I'm sure plenty of teams would find that attractive.

It's not a lottery.

I think you misunderstood his post. I don't think he was claiming that everyone should play in the Euros, more that everyone involved in polo should feel that playing in the Euros is an achievable goal and that qualification is a process they feel part of.

That's how I read it too.

Also, I agree with Dan's point about the kids being the future. That's the way sports work. At 29 or so, you are already on your way out.

This is why I've been working on my "ban kids" proposal over the last few months. Fucking rug rats. I finally get Snoops.

This is why I've been working on my "ban kids" proposal over the last few months. Fucking rug rats. I finally get Snoops.

I doubt that your proposal goes far enough. I am working on banning everyone under 40.

I think you misunderstood his post. I don't think he was claiming that everyone should play in the Euros, more that everyone involved in polo should feel that playing in the Euros is an achievable goal and that qualification is a process they feel part of.

Playing in the Euros is not an achievable goal for everyone, so why pretend that it is? That belittles the tourney itself.

The entire rest of the year should be seen as part of the "road to the Euros." People get to play throw ins and numerous other tournies all year long. The season culminates in the Euros/Worlds. If you feel like you can compete at that time, then compete in the qualies. Done.

kids being the future. That's the way sports work. At 29 or so, you are already on your way out.

What does the future of bike polo have to do with the qualifications process for the present Euros?

What does the future of bike polo have to do with the qualifications process for the present Euros?

Jesus Christ. What do Ben & Joe have to do with the Euros? If you start a selective quoting war, we could be here all weekend.

They are both over 29. Lance Armstrong is 39. Tiger Woods is 35.

They are both over 29. Lance Armstrong is 39. Tiger Woods is 35.

Read some sports science & get back to me.

I have been making actual arguments and giving real examples, Bill. You have not actually responded to any of it with a substantive counterargument. Now you tell me to go read in a vast literature and get back to you?

Lance Armstrong is 39. Tiger Woods is 35.

Neither are in sports which rely on excellent hand-eye coordination in dynamic situations, or are in contact sports in which flexibility is key. A better comparison is football (the real kind).

Football relies on hand-eye coordination?

Nothing to do with me, as I won't be trying to qualify, but I don't see the point in teams entering who don't have a realistic chance of progressing beyond the first round.

It just lengthens the quali tournament, and a team might scrape through who end up getting schooled.

I like the BOA approach to 2012, as much as we automatically qualify for all events (except Basketball), they won't send teams/individuals who haven't got a chance of a medal.

Lance Armstrong is 39. Tiger Woods is 35.

Neither are in sports which rely on excellent hand-eye coordination in dynamic situations, or are in contact sports in which flexibility is key. A better comparison is football (the real kind).

In football, it is now widely accepted that 30 is old for a player, which is why football innovators like Arsene Wenger will not offer extended contracts to players who have passed that threshold.

Matt, I definitely think playing in the Euros is an achievable goal for anyone. It may take a couple of years of working on your game but it's achievable. I played the Euro qualifiers in 2009 and we came DFL. I made sure that I worked hard to try and make the cut for 2010. Didn't happen so I worked harder to try and make the cut in 2011. Might happen. This feeds directly into what you're saying about the rest of the year being the 'road to the Euros'. I just think that road could be bigger, better and maybe more clearly signposted for all players nationally.

We're agreeing in principle (best teams should go and use the rest of the year to prepare) I think?

What about Ben and Joe?!?!?

Football relies on hand-eye coordination?

Actually foot-eye coordination, but the point is clear (unless you are being deliberately obtuse for rhetorical effect).

What about Ben and Joe?!?!?

What about Ben & Joe?

On one thread you guys are flirting, on this one you're fighting. Sort your shit out.