National Series 2011

Not even, Rouen, was part of the uk at one point....

... Admittedly around 1067, but still.

And maybe it could be said that the uk was part of France really.

Is it too early to start the schedualling for next year? Would be good for everyone to have loads of time to arrange things?

Great first national series from concept through to execution - big thanks to all those that played a part in organising each and every tawny.

Thanks to all the teams (especially LDN) that were able to commit serious time to travel to support the events (winners need losers after all!) - in so doing, we're all massively contributing to the overall improvement of UK polo. It was clear watching the regular NS teams in Cambridge at the weekend, regardless whatever initial stature and experience, demonstrate significant improvements in their play, encouraged by the targets set with each passing competition. From my lowly vantage point, I'd spotlight Tornadoes, B.Right.On and Team Warin as obvious examples of teams hell bent on not only improving in their results, but playing progressive and attacking polo - a joy to watch and to play against all year.

A big thumbs to the 'all-teams-must-ref' process too - I believe this has encouraged all players to become more aware of the rules, safety issues and the pressure that refs are under during competition. An idea that seemed painful at first but is accepted now as the norm and is a credit to the scene as a whole.

Moving forward, can the NS series be plugged into the UK approach to Worlds/Euros qualifications in any way - as this would be an obvious route to further enhance the series credibility and authenticity?

You know, like when Le Tour comes to GB/Belgium/Spain whatever.

And I'd rather go to Rouen than Manchester.

+1

^ + 2 and I live here... ;-)

There's nothing in Manchester other than United ;)

...and you know that because you've been to Manchester so many times Ben?
#typicalunitedgloryhunter

O'rly? I still have plenty of tickets stubs as proof if you need em, or going to Rome without a ticket and getting one on the spot?

I should really take your comment with a generous amount of salt, for a fact you have left the polo courts with minutes to spare before KO.

...and you know that because you've been to Manchester so many times Ben?
#typicalunitedgloryhunter

There's nothing in Manchester other than United ;)

...and you know that because you've been to Manchester so many times Ben?
#typicalunitedgloryhunter

O'rly? I still have plenty of tickets stubs as proof if you need em, or going to Rome without a ticket and getting one on the spot?

I should really take your comment with a generous amount of salt, for a fact you have left the polo courts with minutes to spare before KO.

http://www.lfgss.com/thread14435.html

Both of you.

The National Series 2011 is finished, thanks to everyone for making it happen! Amazing to see so many new teams and cities stepping up to tournaments.

85 teams took part in total, which is pretty awesome.
15 teams managed to play 3 or more tournaments, and thus qualify for the series. Here are the overall standings!:

http://www.nationalseries.org.uk/results/
Nice Touch
Cosmic
Spring Break
Cream
Hooks
Thor/High Flange
Netto
ASBO
Polo Erectus
Team Warin
Degeneration
The Smooth aka Weeegeneration
Tornadoes
Hacked Off
Acopolo

You can see the points and how they were allocated here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlGHh3QenZDsdHljeVFPNi1CX2s1V0ZSZUgxSHBicnc
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. If you can find any mistakes, please say.

Thanks again everyone, its been a brilliant year for UK polo!

Gutted we only played two tournaments :(

congrats nice touch

bring on National Series V2

Are you sure they're wrong? I think you guys just went to the right tournaments. There's still a certain amount of luck of the draw stuff with the amount of competitors at a tourney.

What about Fenboy ? Are we disqualified for fielding a leftie ? I think you've given Thor our points for the Cambridge Tournament

We played different subs at Edinburgh and Bristol (I was at neither... hence the higher scores : ) – in Edinburgh it was only 1/3 Thor.

Regardless, thanks to all the people that took the time to maintain this thing and encourage newer or less established scenes to step up and put on some great and regular tournaments. This year has been such good fun, after talking with Warin on Saturday – it makes me wonder what I did with my time and money before polo came along.

Congrats to Nice Touch!

Spring brake only 3rd after going to every single tourney? Hmmm.

spring break were joint second

Spring brake only 3rd after going to every single tourney? Hmmm.

This.

That would be my only (constructive) criticism of the national series, If it were up to me (which it isn't), I would count points for all tournaments if you play more than 4. Or at least increase the window for earning points, say 2 games to qualify, best 5 count for points. The current structure rewards teams for attending 3-4 tournaments, no more, and no less.

But whatever, it was a great success, and congratulations Nice Touch.

Well done NT, and thanks to the organisers of it. It has definitely been a worthwhile experience, and has given all of us an added value to the already great tournaments that we attend. UK polo rocks.

Spring brake only 3rd after going to every single tourney? Hmmm.

Spring break were joint 2nd you donut..

Sorry, looked like 3rd to me.

2nd at being 2nd, is 3rd.

Personally, and I know it sounds stupid since we won, but I don't think this year's NS was at all about a competition to find a champion or whatever. The real winner's of this year's tournament series are the teams which got to play more polo and improved a ton as a result, and the cities which may not have put on a tournament without some encouragement (although not much was required).

Next year there will be yet again more tournaments (in general) which presents a problem for any kind of NS format which relies too heavily on attendance.
This year was already too busy for most people, just look at the fact that 85 teams played but only 15 actually made it to 3 tournaments (which really isn't very many).
Therefore me and James have been discussing some alternate formats. If anyone has any good thoughts or ideas, here is the place to talk about it.

roll on 2012!

^^in that case it would seem prudent to only count a certain number of results as it seems difficult to consistantly travel, while allowing the teams that travel most to have their best results count?

Congrats again

look at the fact that 85 teams played but only 15 actually made it to 3 tournaments (which really isn't very many).

Lots of those teams are just variations though, I played on 3 different teams in 3 different tournaments.

true enough, but it still shows that lots of players couldn't manage to play with each other for more than 2 tournaments

not that that is a bad thing, i think encouraging mixing teams is a good thing too, which is why it was great to see so many teams play in the ns with subs