Interesting argument, but things go both ways.
Last spring (not so long ago!) I was asked to play in some 'special' student
regional outdoor tournament that was somehow short of a team (there were the
5 regional teams and the directors apparently wanted 6, so London was asked
to throw together a student team at the last minute - minus all the London
players who were already on the SE team). Well, we were a pretty straggly
bunch - at least 5 nationalities, and part timers galore (including me, who
was working full-time but for part-time credit at my uni back home).
Definitely questionable under the rules mentioned in previous emails.
However, I honestly thought that I was playing within the rules because I
was a part-time student - no one mentioned the 'primary occupation' clause
when I was asked to play. Probably everyone else on my team thought they
were within the rules too, while now I wonder if even 50% of us were
'legal'. Of note, this wasn't a qualifying tournament.
My point is, it would seem to me that A) the student directors are able to
exercise some discretion in who they will allow to play at student
tournaments, B) if there are rules somewhere governing Student Ultimate over
there, I've seen them bent in a BIG way and C) if the rules aren't
available, how are you supposed to know you are infringing on them? Take
North America for instance (below) which make things exceptionally clear...
For all those who expressed interest:
To play in a student tournament in Canada or the States you must do a lot of
crap. Tournament directors ask for records of uni registration stamped by
the Registrar's Office (must be full-time in the States, 60% part-time for
Canada) for every player in advance (also meaning traveling teams must be
made up several weeks before the tournament) and all players must be able to
produce uni photo ID on demand at any time during the tournament. Also, no
player can play as a student if their first year of membership to any
National ultimate organization (ie BUF) was more than five years ago (to
limit experienced players). There are a lot of conflicts about these rules
and how they inhibit rookie student teams.
Anyway, that my two cents (I know, they're not worth as much).
Happy Holidays!
Aura
Back in Vancouver, Canada
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