AEBBA - Ladies Tournaments

[JB]

I have been reading through the viability of AEBBA tournaments thread and think there are a lot of comments but not many trying to actually resolve the problem.

The Ladies Competitions are obviously a big concern. I am hoping on this thread we can get some good suggestions on how to resolve these.
I believe there are 9 Counties affiliated

The All England Singles this year which was held at Didcot there were 4 entrants. (Sussex, Surrey, Oxford, Bucks)
The 2015 Special Ladies held at Didcot there were 8 entries (5-Oxford, 2-Sussex, 1-Berks). So far for this years competition there are 5 entries (5-Oxford, 1-Bucks)
The BIOC Ladies 2016 (held in Sussex) there were 21 entries (11-Sussex, 7-Surrey, 3-Oxford)
The Ladies County Champs held at Didcot 4 teams (2-Oxford, 2 Sussex)

Apart from the die-hards from Oxford and Sussex who travel to almost all the Comps it looks to me as if there is a North South divide with regards to the distance travelled.

I have heard the suggestion that perhaps there is a North County Competition and a South County Competition somehow.
Trouble I can see with this going on the above entries is that it could end up as a Sussex v Surrey comp and Oxford v ? comp

Thoughts and ideas to increase the numbers for all the above competitions please as otherwise I can see the Ladies Competitions disappearing from the Calendar (quite rightly with the extremely low number of entries)

[BB Warrior]

Sept 26, 2016 11:56:19 GMT JB said:

I have heard the suggestion that perhaps there is a North County Competition and a South County Competition somehow.
Trouble I can see with this going on the above entries is that it could end up as a Sussex v Surrey comp and Oxford v ? comp

Thoughts and ideas to increase the numbers for all the above competitions please as otherwise I can see the Ladies Competitions disappearing from the Calendar (quite rightly with the extremely low number of entries)

I think that the suggestion was more based on a North v South challenge rather than regional matches with both areas, that would mean that the counties in the northern region (Oxon, Bucks, Berks and Northants) could amalgamate a team(s) to play againstthe southern counties (Sussex, Surrey, Kent & Hampshire).

That would mean that some of the ladies that want to play in a team competition that haven't got enough ladies within their own county would then be able to play and would (hopefully) provide stronger teams for both "regions".... I suppose it would be an extended version of the "County 5" rule that was approved at the AGM last year but applying that to both regions.

Once the numbers have been established, a format could be worked out to suit the number of players available... how many players in each team, matches played as just singles or singles and doubles games?

Just a thought, but you could even hold the Special Ladies event on the same day to give more games for all of the players and also take advantage of having more players there? If that is successful, then a similar format could be used for the BIOC Ladies competition so you would then have 2 North v South Ladies challenges each year with each region hosting one of the competitions?

Over to the Ladies now to hear what they think?

[JB]

Thanks for explaining that Dave

Without too much thought at the moment (well it is Monday!) sounds like it could be a good idea.

A responsible person (or 2) chosen to pick the teams?

Combining it could be good as at least you would guarantee 10 players in the special and BIOC ladies

It would also mean only 1 trip to the North for Southern players and 1 trip to the South for the Northern players

Would love to hear more thoughts on this and any other ideas

[JB]

Just bumping this thread as it would be good to get peoples ideas or thoughts on these ladies competitions.

If there's no interest I can see them disappearing as they have done previously.

[Jemma]

Just a slight thought could it be there aren't many ladies playing in other counties? I would happily play for Kent provided I can get to the location

It was a good idea to start a separate thread dedicated to the discussion, but much of what has been said already (including some helpful suggestiona) has been left behind on this one:

barbilliards.proboards.com/thread/18911/aebba-ladies-county-open-mens

Needs a diligent moderator to filter the information, so that the ladies can air their views - or maybe even start a poll.

Someone suggested the ladies should organise a meeting amongst themselves to thrash it out without any male interference: this seems like a good idea to me !

[Chris]

Dear All

I am only one player and therefore I don't make a team but my thoughts are below, different though for any individual competitions.

I am happy to play some of the odd competitions in the 2017 season.

Both Chris and I are entering our final year of league playing for Portsmouth this year / or any league and our wonderful team mates do know.

If you said would you play North / South divide - I might but with a team that possibly is out with the 'heart to win' and not top ranked, does not mean I would though, depends on availability, where and night driving.

I can understand why many will not join re team games there are a few excellent lady players that will be formed into 3 or maybe 4 teams - others have no chance against such teams, so they could say 'why bother' beat before we start. This is no criticism just a possible fact for some.

Thus it has always been I know and I could give some possible solutions but as once myself a good player not sure that I would believe in what I would suggest.

I do though believe for individual type competitions 'you pay your money and take your chance' and if I wanted to enter I would - this now though will be unlikely for me.

Best wishes
Chris xxx