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Post by NigelS on Oct 14, 2014 18:48:06 GMT
After a disappointing entry for the Alternative Rules and some worryingly low figures for entries to comps for the next 3 weeks, I thought I would start a thread to try to encourage some more entries plus get some feedback as to why people are not attending
So to start with this is what is happening in Didcot over the next 3 weeks.
19th Oct Team Champs/Special Ladies
26th Oct Mixed Pairs
2nd Nov Over 50s/60s Under 25s
Just comparing the entries from last year to this
Alternative Rules 2014 -28 (2013 - 42)
Special Ladies - 2014 -5 (2013 - 12)
Mixed Pairs - 2014 - 7 (2013 - 20)
Over 50s - 2014 - 5 (2013 - 24)
Over 60s - 2014 - 1 (2013 - 12)
Under 25s - 2014 - 3 (2013 - 8)
These figures do not make good reading, but I hope there are more entries to come so please put your name down if you do want to play. If you are not coming this year but did last year it may be helpful if you could put why on this thread. I have heard reasons from Didcot being too far for some, events being too close together, and not enough events on the same day. Please remember that we can always do something with the format when we know the entrie, for instance the Alternative Rules was played in groups, everyone was guaranteed 3 double legs game, which of course is double the legs guaranteed in an open. I am quite happy to do group formats for other comps, but of course it does help if I know numbers.
We do need players support for these competitions otherwise they will just die a death and not happen, so if you can support one or more of these weekends it all helps to keep it going.
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Post by BB Warrior on Oct 14, 2014 22:50:21 GMT
After a disappointing entry for the Alternative Rules and some worryingly low figures for entries to comps for the next 3 weeks, I thought I would start a thread to try to encourage some more entries plus get some feedback as to why people are not attending If you are not coming this year but did last year it may be helpful if you could put why on this thread. I have heard reasons from Didcot being too far for some, events being too close together, and not enough events on the same day. I have played in the Over 50's every year since I was old enough to qualify to play in it.... but I won't be going this year. There are a combination of reasons for my decision.... 1) The last couple of years the Over 50's and Mixed Pairs have been on the same day, but not this year. Had they both been on the same day again then I would have played in both very happily. 2) Having already been to Didcot for 3 competitions in the last 4 weeks (County Champs, Ladies County Champs & Alternative Rules) and intending to attend this weekend (Colleen in Special Ladies) and the weekend after for the Mixed Pairs, another journey up there would mean a total of 1,500 miles driven in a 7 week period at a cost of about £225 of fuel. I love the game but that is too much in too short a period of time, expecially just before Jersey weekend. So, Didcot is both too far and the events are too close together. 3) The Over 50's also falls on the second weekend of half-term so I want to spend some time with my youngest son. I know that we have lost the Post Office Club as a venue, which was obviously a bit closer to the players in Sussex and Kent than Didcot and that we should appreciate the fact that Didcot have kindly offered to both host the events and store the tables for us..... but I also think that some of the competitions should be moved "south" (to Kent, Surrey, Sussex or Hampshire) in the future to try to spread some of the travelling time and costs around a bit more than at present. I am sure that events like the Special Ladies and Mixed Pairs would be far better supported if they were hosted down "south" and it might encourage some other entries into the other competitions if they were nearer to home for some of the players that traditionally have not entered them. |
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Post by milhouse on Oct 14, 2014 23:31:09 GMT
I do understand your point to a certain point Dave, One question would be how much further is Didcot than Reading? 10mins?
I think the biggest issue would be if these AE comps were moved away from Didcot/Reading then who would run them? Surely you cannot expect Dave to travel to Sussex/Kent in the morning of a comp, set the tables up and then run them ?
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Post by BB Warrior on Oct 15, 2014 7:09:31 GMT
I do understand your point to a certain point Dave, One question would be how much further is Didcot than Reading? 10mins? If it was only an extra 10 minutes Mark that wouldn't really make a difference..... from Junction 11 of the M4 (which I used to use to go Post Office Club) and going along to A34 and up that it's just under 30 miles and takes about 35 minutes each way, so effectively it adds 60 miles and just over another hours travelling to each day. Having spoken to other players (from Sussex and Surrey) in the past about attending the AEBBA competitions, it seemed that the distance to travel to the Post Office Club was one of the reasons that they were unwilling to enter those, the extra distance to Didcot obviously makes that situation worse and is perhaps a contributory factor as to why the numbers are down this year?  I can't speak for the other counties in the South (Kent, Surrey or Hampshire) but I am sure that we could find a venue and people willing to run a few of the AEBBA events in Sussex either around this time of the year or maybe during the summer which could avoid the "problem" of having all of the events clustered together so closely. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2014 8:20:01 GMT
I can't speak for the other counties in the South (Kent, Surrey or Hampshire) but I am sure that we could find a venue and people willing to run a few of the AEBBA events in Sussex either around this time of the year or maybe during the summer which could avoid the "problem" of having all of the events clustered together so closely. We are 'lucky' to get Didcot CC as an option and I hope they don't feel unappreciated ! The 'problem' referred to existed whilst at Reading, with people tending to pick and choose events to avoid too many journeys there too close together. In the circumstances it may indeed be a good idea for AEBBA to farm out one or two of the competitions.....if a way can be found to minimise the disruption: For example, in the past, Surrey have indicated their willingness to take on the National Mixed Doubles, fitting it into one of their weekends when they have already hired tables. I'm sure a lot of Surrey ladies would take part (being on their doorstep) and this would cut the journey considerably for Sussex and Kent. |
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Post by JB on Oct 15, 2014 8:52:34 GMT
Having spoken to some of the Sussex Ladies about entering the Special Ladies most unfortunately have said they will not be going.
The main reason is that it is a long journey and expensive day out. The journey to Didcot adds approx 30 minutes each way on the trip. As some are entering the Mixed pairs and, just having had the County Champs people are choosing which Competitions to enter.
I would have entered this year as I always support this competition but only if I could get a lift. A 4 hour round trip and playing bar billiards all day makes it a very long and exhausting day.
Unfortunately I wont be there this year as Teneriffe beckons!
I do feel that perhaps spreading them out a bit more may help although this would be difficult with all the other Opens and leagues own competitions going on.
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Post by Chris_Sav on Oct 15, 2014 8:57:53 GMT
Didcot was an emergency solution , AEBBA were presented with a venue that could accommodate every planned AEBBA booking, offer table storage and less important was free of charge. We must be very thankful to them for this year.
However it is recognised the location of the venue means that there are transport problems by road and by rail. We must support AEBBA for this year. The competitions thus far have been poorly supported and income has been very low with players being reluctant to buy raffle tickets (£49 sales at the alt rules!).
The ideas and thoughts above are valid but lack any purpose. The whole concept of the AEBBA autumn competitions rely upon Dave Alder's presence to set up the tables and, quite often, be left entirely on his own to pack the tables away. This in itself is a house of cards waiting to collapse. Didcot is also further for Dave to travel remember!
Dave Alder, I am sure from talking to him, would love to farm out some of the work. What is needed is a positive plan from Surrey or Sussex (or a combination thereof) to run two or three of the weekends (at any time of year). If a team can be put together then I am sure AEBBA would jump at the offer.
Let's see an actual concrete offer (team, venue, dates, finance) put together in time for the AGM!! so that an opportunity is not wasted over uncertainty as in the case of the Publicity Officer.
Sav
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2014 12:15:00 GMT
Following on from Sav's last post on this thread where he threw down the gauntlet, here's something you might like to consider: Recommendation to the AEBBA In the course of researching the Timeline of National bar billiards, it has become apparent to me that certain competitions fall out of favour through lack of interest – or maybe simply through familiarity breeding discontent. But you can never entirely rule out a comeback ! Also, times change, reliable venues are lost, and contingency arrangements have to be made to allow the more popular ones on the calendar to continue. There have been some noises made on the Forum recently about ‘too many trips to Berkshire’, ‘competitions coming in too quick a succession’, and ‘Didcot adding 60 miles to the round journey after Reading’. As a result, numbers taking part have fallen. Whilst the move to Didcot for the AEBBA competitions along with its convenient willingness to store the tables is to be applauded, it is understood that the arrangement is not a permanent one: We should take advantage of this hiatus to consider alternatives that would make everyone’s lives easier, no less our hardworking AEBBA Secretary. Here then are my recommendations, which I am sure will be shot down in flames as usual:  1. The Special Ladies (Open) is replaced by the British Ladies Doubles (last held in 2001 at the Frenches Club) 2. The National Mixed Doubles is played on the same day. 3. Both competitions are moved from Didcot and taken on by Surrey ( we would have to ask them first but they have indicated in the past that they would be prepared to forego their ‘Blind Pairs’ for a year so we would be talking Sat 9th May 2015 at Salfords Club (Horley), the day before the BIOC Ladies – to which it could be a good ‘lead up’.) Apart from the obvious benefit regarding being more central for transport, this would free up one of the AEBBA dates – maybe even two with a bit of shuffling of the remaining competitions. The Ladies would lose one of their three national singles, but the two left would be the British Isles Singles and the All-England Singles. And they would get back their Doubles (last won I believe by Jan Taylor and Alison Norman) With Surrey acquiring a day of National Competition, they would be entitled to the entry fees towards covering their cost of their weekend table hire, but an AEBBA delegate could take responsibility for the Raffle, with proceeds going towards the AEBBA Truck Fund. It is important to keep these innovations going to maintain people’s interest: Freeing up a couple of dates on the AEBBA calendar could provide a slight ‘breather’ whilst a permanent home is found for the tables, and could provide a natural slot to be filled later, should for instance Northants wish to resurrect their Open. tommo |
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Post by Chris on Oct 26, 2014 15:50:47 GMT
With Surrey acquiring a day of National Competition, they would be entitled to the entry fees towards covering their cost of their weekend table hire, but an AEBBA delegate could take responsibility for the Raffle, with proceeds going towards the AEBBA Truck Fund. tommo I want to express my real concern here re the financial suggestion above. I have no problems with the rest of the post In fact at the AGM I suggested removing the special ladies and going back to pairs. I had a similar email from Dave Ingram recently, about how he may be able to support and run some events,at least he asked what the hire cost of the tables would be. If such an event were to take place to support the AEBBA then the van and tables still have to be funded, this is not a short term issue it is going to be there always. My answer to Dave Ingram was. There would be no charge for the tables as it was an AEBBA event. AEBBA would provide the trophies and we would expect entry fees and a little more added to the entry fees e.g. £1 or £2 to cover the diesel.The raffle would be your profit. When I look at what Kent did through Pete, they held an AEBBA event, raised enough to cover what would have been table hire, which I did not charge, so they put it all into the van. There is still £5k outstanding on the van, Chris and I are taking no monies this year keeping the AEBBA accounts healthy, we will though next year. I very much appreciate that others are willing to support but please lets support whole heartedly recognising that there are debts and a long term future of the game to consider that requires funds.  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2014 18:21:23 GMT
I have given a 'like' to your post Chrissie on the basis of being of the same mind to reinvent the Special Ladies as a Pairs. I am expecting someone to come in with "it wouldn't be practical to hold a Ladies Pairs and a Mixed on the same day with the same ladies taking part in both" but I would disagree, I don't think the task would be beyond a tournament scheduler, although which tables to play the later rounds on would have to be dependent on who was still left in (hadn't been knocked out). Running a plate for either competition would also be dependent on numbers. As regards the financial suggestion, no reason why it couldn't be the other way round - County take the raffle proceeds and AEBBA take the entry fees - I'm sure they would be negotiable. In this case the tables would already be in situ. But let's not jump the gun.......it's all dependent on whether or not Surrey would be willing to take it on in the first place, so we'd better ask Chairman Gary aka "Magners".  |
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Post by bigtj on Oct 26, 2014 20:08:00 GMT
Another problem this year is that the Over 50s and 60s clashes with the Sussex home and Away series, we have entered but only if we can either make both or get the inter-league postponed. I in a way am similar to Dave in that I will only attend the 50s ans 60s if they are on the same day as I do not want to travel twice and do not take part in the mixed pairs. I have never attended the alternate rules, part of my reason is that all competitions are held at the same time of year and this entails as Dave rightly says a lot of travelling over a few weekends.
I still think there are financial restraints on these events, petrol, raffle ( which is essential to be able to fund these competitions), family commitments and in my case a lot of travelling and driving during the week for the multiple leagues I play in.
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Post by BB Warrior on Oct 26, 2014 23:15:43 GMT
But let's not jump the gun.......it's all dependent on whether or not Surrey would be willing to take it on in the first place, so we'd better ask Chairman Gary aka "Magners". Okay, first things first and before people start getting to "involved" with discussions about finance and what things could be changed.... I understand that Surrey have already made an offer to AEBBA to host both the National Off-the-Spot Competition and the AEBBA Mixed Pairs on a weekend together towards the end of October 2015 and that offer has been accepted. I am sure that more information will be available by the time of the AGM and there will be relevant financial arrangements made as well.  With regards to this suggestion.... Here then are my recommendations, which I am sure will be shot down in flames as usual: 1. The Special Ladies (Open) is replaced by the British Ladies Doubles (last held in 2001 at the Frenches Club) 2. The National Mixed Doubles is played on the same day. .... I won't say that it couldn't be done.... but I will say that it SHOULDN'T be done for precisely the 2 reasons that Tommo has said that it would be a good idea! Firstly.... 3. Both competitions are moved from Didcot and taken on by Surrey ( we would have to ask them first but they have indicated in the past that they would be prepared to forego their ‘Blind Pairs’ for a year so we would be talking Sat 9th May 2015 at Salfords Club (Horley), the day before the BIOC Ladies – to which it could be a good ‘lead up’.) .... much has been said about players from the southern counties not travelling to Didcot for many events this year because of the travelling distance.... is it therefore fair or reasonable to to expect the ladies from Oxon, Berks & Bucks to make the (equally) long journey south 2 days running at a weekend or would we lose a lot of their entries for both competitions? Secondly.... and probably more importantly.... The Ladies would lose one of their three national singles, but the two left would be the British Isles Singles and the All-England Singles. And they would get back their Doubles (last won I believe by Jan Taylor and Alison Norman) .... the ladies would lose ONE of the TWO competitions in which they can earn GRAND PRIX points for the Ladies Grand Prix so effectively that would mean that the BIOC Ladies would determine entry (and positions) in the Ladies Grand Prix. IMHO, that would not be at all fair or reasonable. The BIOC Ladies is held each year in Surrey.... the Special Ladies has been played in Berkshire and was moved to Oxon this year. One Grand Prix Ranking event in the South, one in the North.... that provides a fair distribution for travelling for all of the players who can choose to play in either one or both events.... what is wrong with that? |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2014 23:52:35 GMT
I understand that Surrey have already made an offer to AEBBA to host both the National Off-the-Spot Competition and the AEBBA Mixed Pairs on a weekend together towards the end of October 2015 and that offer has been accepted. I am sure that more information will be available by the time of the AGM and there will be relevant financial arrangements made as well. I was wondering about the 'fate' of the National Off-the-Spot, as that seemed to be the only competition not confirmed for next year (apart from date for Oxon Open of course): Our thanks must go to Kent for hosting it (successfully) for the first two years. I will decline to comment on the remainder of your message as this will be a matter of personal preference for the Ladies. |
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Post by BB Warrior on Oct 27, 2014 10:11:51 GMT
I will decline to comment on the remainder of your message as this will be a matter of personal preference for the Ladies. Yes, that is true, all players have a choice of whether to enter a competition or not.... however, unless there is more support for future AEBBA tournaments the simple fact is that they will cease to exist, that will happen sooner rather than later. Those are not my words, the AEBBA President (Phil Hawkins) asked me yesterday to put that message on the Forum. So, "personal preference" could quickly become a thing of the past if there are no competitions left to choose from. It must be pretty soul-destroying for the people involved in running the AEBBA events that give up their time to arrange the competitions, organise the venue and food, set up the tables and then run the Admin Desk on the day (often without playing themselves) when there is often so little support and so few entries. If you look at the entries received for the AEBBA Competitions so far this year, there are some very worrying trends that emerge.... County Championships Division 1 - fully supported, but that would be expected wherever it was held and was fully supported at Reading in 2013. AE Ladies Singles - only 5 of the 8 counties represented with no players from Hampshire, Kent or Northants. No change to number of entries from 2013, the only difference being that a player from Bucks replaced a player from Kent this year. Ladies County Championships - only 3 of the 8 counties represented with Oxon & Sussex both supplying 2 teams each.... no entries from Bucks, Hampshire, Kent, Northants or Surrey. In 2013 there were 6 teams there with 4 counties represented as Surrey entered a team. AE Men's Singles - Fully supported by all 8 counties, as it was in 2013. Alternate Rules - 28 entries from 6 counties, no players from Northants or Surrey. In comparison there were 42 entries in 2013 with only Surrey having no players there. AE Team Championships - only 6 of the 8 counties represented, no teams from Northants or Surrey who both withdrew a few days before the competition. There were also only 6 teams in 2013 with no representatives from Kent or Berkshire. AE Special Ladies - only 8 entries with no players from Hampshire, Kent, Northants or Surrey. In 2013 there were 12 entries with Hampshire, Kent and Northants not represented. AE Mixed Pairs - only 11 pairs representing 4 counties with no players from Bucks, Hampshire, Northants or Surrey. In 2013 there were 20 pairs and the county player that did not have a player there was Northants. Obviously, it remains to be seen as to what will happen in the remaining AEBBA Competitions this year.... AE Over 50's - in 2013 there were 25 entries with players from 7 counties, only Northants were missing. There are currently 15 entries shown for this competition which is due to be played next weekend. AE Over 60's - in 2013 there were 12 entries with players from 5 counties, no players from Hampshire, Northants or Surrey. There are currently 14 entries shown for this competition which is due to be played next weekend. AE Under 25's - in 2013 there were 8 entries with players from 4 counties, no players from Berks, Bucks, Kent or Surrey. There are currently 4 entries shown for this competition which is due to be played next weekend. County Championships Division 2 - in 2013 this was fully supported with 6 teams from different counties. AE Grand Prix / Ladies Grand Prix - Fully supported in 2013, although some reserves took the places of players that were unable to attend. I am sure that players and counties have very good reasons as to why they do not attend the AEBBA events, as Tommo rightly says it is a matter of "personal preference".... but unless these reasons are known there is nothing that can be done to see if anything can be changed in the future. The County Opens have traditionally worked (and hopefully will continue to do so) because there is always a mixture of the players that enter all (or most) of these and local players that support their own county events. Personally, and in the absence of a real "central point" in the country that would offer equal travelling distance for all players, I think that there should be a balance in the AEBBA Competitions with some events played in the "south" and some events played in the "north".... if suitable venues could be found with people willing to help organise and run these events then it should even be possible to alternate these from 1 year to the next.... BUT.... it would need players from ALL AREAS to continue to support these competitions for them to have a future. Chris Saville has already pointed out that AEBBA are open to suggestions for alternative venues to hold the AEBBA events, we should thank Surrey that they are willing to run a couple of these and I am sure that other venues are bsing considered for the future.... We all know that AEBBA have taken on a large commitment when they had to buy the new van to be able to deliver the tables and it was only thanks to those that donated to this fund and the 2 individuals that very kindly made up the shortfall that this was achieved.... the AEBBA Competitions are vital to enable that to continue and they must be financially viable to run or they simply will cease to exist. |
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Post by Chris_Sav on Oct 27, 2014 10:55:24 GMT
Just to clarify,
Nothing has been decided by AEBBA regarding next year's AEBBA Competitions currently held at Didcot. No competitions have, at this stage, been farmed out to Surrey.
Sav |
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Post by bobhall on Oct 27, 2014 11:06:32 GMT
I'm curious to know how many of the under 25's that haven't entered from last year are too old now or some to young to drive so they can't get there these are key factors same with mixed I was keen to attend but with out a partner why would I spend £40 pounds on travel I wouldn't so I couldn't enter over 50's and 60's all you oldies this isn't to hard to see how many can play but as we seen dates are affected because of other barbilliard matches
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2014 11:44:53 GMT
AE Special Ladies - only 8 entries with no players from Hampshire, Kent, Northants or Surrey. In 2013 there were 12 entries with Hampshire, Kent and Northants not represented. Following Darwin's 'survival of the fittest' theory the Special Ladies would be the first one to target, and I don't see why my (and Chrissie's) suggestion of replacing it with a (reinstated) Ladies National Pairs should be allowed to be rejected out of hand. The loss of opportunity to earn Grand Prix points should be a minor consideration when weighed against the possibility of a better-supported competition likely to attract back ladies from the 'missing' counties - with normal RPs on offer. Let's hear from some of the ladies as to what they think. The last time the Pairs was held, incidentally, it was covered by Australian radio ! (open link and click on 'show transcript')www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/sportsfactor/traditional-pub-sports/3479980#transcript |
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Post by BB Warrior on Oct 27, 2014 12:18:50 GMT
Following Darwin's 'survival of the fittest' theory the Special Ladies would be the first one to target, and I don't see why my (and Chrissie's) suggestion of replacing it with a (reinstated) Ladies National Pairs should be allowed to be rejected out of hand. The loss of opportunity to earn Grand Prix points should be a minor consideration when weighed against the possibility of a better-supported competition likely to attract back ladies from the 'missing' counties - with normal RPs on offer. Let's hear from some of the ladies as to what they think. The "rejection" was based on the proposal to replace an existing national ladies open (one of only 2 that are held) that is a Grand Prix Qualifier with a Ladies Doubles competition.... I would certainly welcome that being added as ANOTHER Competition that the Ladies could play in as well as their existing competitions if there was sufficient interest? Ranking Points for a Doubles Competition would always be lower than for a Singles Competition, as they are in all other competitions. I don't know why the Ladies Doubles was stopped in 2001 but note that was the year after the Special Ladies competition started.... perhaps it was decided then that the singles competition was preferable to the Doubles? I agree that the Ladies should decide what they want in the future. |
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Post by gandalf the untidy on Oct 27, 2014 16:19:24 GMT
2nd nov is a sussex interleague clash  |
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Post by Chris on Oct 27, 2014 17:21:26 GMT
Dear All
Anything I have put on here are my personal views and not that of the AEBBA committee.
Any changes are required to go through the AGM including Competition dates, finances, rules and so on.
So nothing can be agreed outside of that.
My post re how other counties would be financed taking on AEBBA events or if willing any comps moving, were my owm views.
But it does need to be discussed for proposals to be made for the AGM.
Thanks
Chris
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Post by BB Warrior on Oct 27, 2014 17:22:34 GMT
2nd nov is a sussex interleague clash A mistake by the Inter League Fixture Secretary in Sussex as those matches were arranged long after the AEBBA Competition dates were announced.... unfortunately it was not noticed in time to change the fixtures which would have been difficult looking at all of the other AEBBA competitions / Jersey that take place at this time of year.  |
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Post by "Silent" on Oct 27, 2014 17:35:17 GMT
2nd nov is a sussex interleague clash A mistake by the Inter League Fixture Secretary in Sussex as those matches were arranged long after the AEBBA Competition dates were announced.... unfortunately it was not noticed in time to change the fixtures which would have been difficult looking at all of the other AEBBA competitions / Jersey that take place at this time of year. In the interest of fairness, he did want to change it but then it became very congested later on in the season. Of course sometimes choices have to be made and only one, maybe two Inter-League matches would have been affected. Unfortunately you can't please all of the people all of the time.....despite trying to |
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Post by davejones on Oct 27, 2014 20:43:21 GMT
2nd nov is a sussex interleague clash A mistake by the Inter League Fixture Secretary in Sussex as those matches were arranged long after the AEBBA Competition dates were announced.... unfortunately it was not noticed in time to change the fixtures which would have been difficult looking at all of the other AEBBA competitions / Jersey that take place at this time of year. You can always play on the Monday. League matches permitting |
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Post by Chris on Oct 28, 2014 8:07:48 GMT
Hampshire and AEBBA events - personal viewsOur league lost two teams last year, we now only have 9, some of which struggle to make 5 players weekly. As a county we struggle to get 7 players for the Div 1 Championships. I played and was not able to play in the Ladies IKO as well. ( which was fair enough ) that has happened two years running. I have already decided that I will not be playing in any County games during 2015 due to other committments. So the County needs to find 1 or 2 players for next year here as well. The County Team Championships could be exceptioally difficult for Hampshire if guest players are not allowed from within our league. We have always up until this year required 1 guest player for own team. We play a separate TKO here. There are only 4 regular lady players left in our league now and when Mary leaves for Ireland we will only have 3. So we are not able to field a team for the Ladies County and none enter any Ladies Competitions now. We no longer have a Hampshire Ladies IKO as none of us want to play or Ladies Pairs. The majority of players who enter AEBBA events From Hampshire have jobs that require them to work weekends, they can only play in a limited number of competitions and the majority of entries from Hampshire this year has been in the opens and I guess will stay that way. I personally struggle with long days on a Sunday, driving, playing, driving and then preparing for work the next day often not getting back until 7 or 8pm. Probably because I am getting older and now have more to do in the home due to personal circumstances within the family,I just find myself too tired. So the prospect of an enjoyable days bar billiards becomes totally clouded with the thoughts of what I will need to do a) before going and have to do b)when I return. As for this board, as far as I know, only 4 people from Hampshire read it and only one, other than me, is able to post on it. So you will not be collecting many views from Hants players I suspect. Gosh an essay, longer than any I ever wrote in my school days  If this helps informs decisions great, although it could be seen as one of those long posts that few have time to read 
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Post by BB Warrior on Oct 28, 2014 8:35:10 GMT
You can always play on the Monday. League matches permitting Unfortunately, in this particular instance, most of the same players that would be involved in the Over 50/60's Competition also play Lewes League which plays on a Monday night.  I think that this, and other recent instances of competitions clashing, highlights the importance of organisers and League Secretaries checking that their events do not clash with any/other national competitions, which are all shown on the "Competition Dates" threads in the AEBBA section called "The National Tables" on the Forum. These are regularly updated and should allow people to look forward at least 6 months and try to avoid any obvious clashes. |
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Post by BB Warrior on Oct 28, 2014 9:01:48 GMT
Dear All Anything I have put on here are my personal views and not that of the AEBBA committee. Any changes are required to go through the AGM including Competition dates, finances, rules and so on. So nothing can be agreed outside of that. My post re how other counties would be financed taking on AEBBA events or if willing any comps moving, were my owm views. But it does need to be discussed for proposals to be made for the AGM. Thanks Chris Hi Chrissie, The information you provided both in your earlier post and in the email that you sent to me was very useful and much appreciated.  It would certainly be essential for any county to know the costs involved if they were considering making an offer to host an AEBBA event, without that it is impossible to put forward a viable proposal for anything. I hope that AEBBA welcome any proposals that they receive and these are then approved at the AGM, the competitions then need as much publicity as possible and for players to support them by entering and playing in them to ensure that they have a future. Thanks again for your honest and open responses here. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2014 10:03:17 GMT
Hi Chrissie,
I think that Hants do very well with the resources you have, and continually punch above your weight in the Inter-Counties, maintaining a respectable place in Div 1 ever since winning Div 2 in 2006.
What a shame that you personally lose out in not being able to play in a Ladies Competition held at the same venue on the same day. (An urgent review needed on this IMHO).
In order to protect the future of the game, we should be looking after the single-league counties such as yours !
tommo
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2014 10:09:38 GMT
I think that this, and other recent instances of competitions clashing, highlights the importance of organisers and League Secretaries checking that their events do not clash with any/other national competitions, which are all shown on the "Competition Dates" threads in the AEBBA section called "The National Tables" on the Forum. These are regularly updated and should allow people to look forward at least 6 months and try to avoid any obvious clashes. We have a Forum Calendar facility and it would make life so much easier for everyone if this could be maintained. But under the new version of ProBoards it now requires a moderator to do it. So we need a volunteer !  |
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Post by Chris_Sav on Oct 28, 2014 10:23:22 GMT
But under the new version of ProBoards it now requires a moderator to do it. So we need a volunteer ! The calendar is set up so that any member may update it. |
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Post by barbelman on Oct 28, 2014 10:57:08 GMT
We have a Forum Calendar facility and it would make life so much easier for everyone if this could be maintained. But under the new version of ProBoards it now requires a moderator to do it. So we need a volunteer ! When anybody puts news of any competition on the Forum, please click on the add event button (next to the add attachment button!!) before they post it and it will take you to a sub-menu for adding it to our calendar automatically. AFAIK this does not need a Moderator. I have just added the Kent Open on July 5th so it can be done retrospectively too. Tony |
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