National Series 2011

Josh went through it, no-one knew anything about it really, it was pointed out that the UKHBPA (and wider UK polo community) could possibly run the NS. There is obviously a desire to have the NS for 2012...

The National Series is not an LHBPA event

Semantics in my opinion, but fair enough.

Definitely not semantics. If it's an LHBPA event then it can get given away in a meeting. If it isn't, the LHBPA has no right to give away control of something I worked on and continued to work on under the obvious misapprehension I was still involved.

And if you want to carry on organising than go for it, it was more a recognition that conceptually a UK association should be organising top level UK polo, so UK Champs, National Series, Euro qualification etc, rather than London doing it.

Definitely not semantics. If it's an LHBPA event then it can get given away in a meeting. If it isn't, the LHBPA has no right to give away control of something I worked on and continued to work on under the obvious misapprehension I was still involved.

No-one tried to give anything away, it was discussed, as in: some bike polo players sat round a table over a pint and some crappy nibbles and talked about the National Series.

Your don't have to fear the LHBPA, but if it makes you feel better, let it be known that the LHBPA does not own the National Series, despite lots of people putting work into it besides just yourself... meh.

This is not a question of ownership.

The NS was started with very specific aims, (one of which was the idea of helping to lay the groundwork for a UK association). I believe the 2011 NS did everything it set out to do and as one of the many, many people involved in the NS, I am keen to see it continue to grow and prosper. I would just like to know exactly what's happening with something I feel strongly invested in since there are NS tournaments being advertised and the LHBPA have proposed to hand over control of the event to an organisation that doesn't yet exist.

I don't think this is particularly audacious of me?

It's not audacious, no, but it does cement the idea that your fellow polo players and friends would perhaps dick each other over... there are no contracts in place, we're barely organised at best, yes it was perhaps rude to talk about the NS in your absence (at all?), but I'm fairly confident we're all singing from the same song sheet (and if we weren't then we'd have no qualms being reeled in, discretely)?

Ok, defintley some confusion here.

At the meeting we spoke about the ns, but we did not decide to hand over control to the ukhbpa.

As far as I am aware, and I'm pretty sure everyone was on the same page, the NS COMM would continue to organise this year's NS, decide on any changes etc and implement them etc

We thought that getting the ukhbpa involved with the NS (note involvement not ownership) would be a good way of spreading some NS love. They would be able to talk to new scenes (the ones who are currently getting started, 'joining' ukhbpa, but don't have much involvement with uk polo) about putting on an NS event.

To summarise: NS COMM continues to get shit done, but the ukhbpa gets to help out by speaking with new scenes.

What/who are currently the NS COMM?

How would a city apply for an NS round?

NS COMM (if we really have to call it that) are the few people that replied when I asked if anyone was interested in helping out in getting a NS off the ground. This consisted of myself, Cohen, Mrak and Lebowski. Bill then came aboard as head ref (and I assume has now stepped down).

If anyone wants to be involved for 2012, then post here or let me know.

As far as applying for a NS round, what happened last year is we got in touch with a few cities and said we 'we're trying to get a NS off the ground and Would be you be interested in hosting a tournament that met specific standards?' As far as this year goes, nothing has been set in stone so if a scene was interested in hosting a NS event they should just say so here and we can take note.

We were hoping to do something, not definite on dates, end of May was suggested at the last meeting.

We (Birmingham) are also. Mothergirl is in discussions with the Council, and we recce'd the courts today. We'll hopefully know more soon.

Bill then came aboard as head ref (and I assume has now stepped down).

I am still thinking, but in the light of Jono's report on his discussions in Rouen, and the development of the UKHBPA, I am a lot more confident that the issues can be resolved. So I am happy to continue for the moment, although happy to see someone else consider (and be considered) for the role of head ref.

MCR are preparing to have the capability to host an NS-standard tournament this year. However this is subject to clarity on the 2012 UK Championships at the Manchester Velodrome - as we wouldn't want a date clash or a repetition of two tournaments in the same city.

Can anyone give me an update on this? (veldrome tourney)

Rob said MCR wanted none of the work and all of the glory so wouldn't be taking it on, hence it won't happen?

Very unlikely that UK Champs will be part of the NS in 2012.

2012 is gonna be a busy year :)

MCR are preparing to have the capability to host an NS-standard tournament this year. However this is subject to clarity on the 2012 UK Championships at the Manchester Velodrome - as we wouldn't want a date clash or a repetition of two tournaments in the same city.

Can anyone give me an update on this? (veldrome tourney)

as far as i know, if it were to happen, we have been given a possible opening on the velodrome calendar for the weekend of bike week. However as noone else was forthcoming when I asked around if people were up for helping run the UK champs at the velodrome this year, it doesnt look likely as i dont have the time or inclination to take it all on myself.
There were rumblings on the UKHBPA thread of this being a possible agenda...

I'm unconvinced that the Manchester Velodrome tournament should go ahead, it will be very difficult to organise (BC involved, laying a floor, constructing courts, lots of paperwork for insurance, etc), especially at such short notice.

As far as London are concerned we made an impression on BC with the LII, so passion for the UK Champs in conjunction with BC has dwindled. No-one from London stepped forward with a passion for running the Velodrome tournament, so unless someone in Manchester wants to run with it than it's unlikely to happen (you'd need a few people and have next-to-no time now unfortunately).

We were under the impression that Manchester wanted to take a back seat with the Velodrome tournament when it was last discussed?

The glory/effort thing was tongue in cheek, but yeah back seat would be what we were after. I think we'd prefer to put on an NS ourselves and as cool as polodrome would be it's a lot of extra work with little time to sort out.

Ok, well I'd focus on the NS event then. Until there is a driver for the "Polodrome" (awesome name) event it's going to remain on hold.

I reckon I can keep the contacts warm until 2013, so maybe Manchester can think about jumping on it in the later half of 2012, ready for 2013?

maybe, see how things pan out this year and we'll bring it up in a meeting at the end of the year

Looking at the calendar and seeing other possible NS dates it seems the best time for Birmingham to hold a tournament would be June? I'm keen to get the groundwork laid for it ASAP because working with the city council is always such a chore pleasure.

Good stuff.

We'll be meeting this weekend to talk about this year's National Series. I've collected feedback from many of last year's event organisers but if anyone has anything they would like to be considered, feel free to PM me. Hopefully there will be concrete info next week.

Brighton tournament is looking like it will be the second weekend in June, already provisionally booked.

Should be announced officially on Monday.

In order to avoid potential conflict, here's a (very rough, extremely liable to change) schedule:

May - Cambridge (requested pre-June since losing the space)
June - Brighton
July - Euros
August - Worlds/London Open
September - Manchester

Brighton tournament is looking like it will be the second weekend in June, already provisionally booked.

Should be announced officially on Monday.

So same weekend as ABC? I'll move the ABC if that's the case.