I currently play for Plastic Factory. We have eight players in our
catchment area who will play for Chevron/Leeds/Clapham this season.
Obviously if they all decided to play for us we would be a stronger
team, and they would get to train locally (we don't exclude them, but
most of them don't turn up).
However, I would not wish there to be a rule which forced them to do
so. It's their decision.
About four years ago, I lived in Clapham - I often trained with
Clapham Ultimate, and I was given the opportunity to try out for
them. However I decided I wanted to carry on playing with Chevron.
That was my decision.
Ultimate is not a professional sport. We all play for fun. Long be it
that way as far as I'm concerned, as I don't believe that the 'Spirit
of the Game' would survive if it were a professional sport,
especially if money was involved. If players decide they want to play
with a particular team, and that team decides it will accept players
who don't train with them on a frequent basis, then so be it.
Having said that, I whole heartily agree with Aura's suggestion to
regionalise the Tour. It makes a lot of sense. I personally wouldn't
force people to play locally, but I think it would add to people's
reasons to do so (if only because they couldn't rely on their local
team for a lift!). I would also like to see tournaments with less
games - say two a day, or one day events with three games* - if you
only had to drive to a local tournament this would still be worthwhile.
* Benefits of shorter, local Tour events include:
It would lead to smaller squads, with each player being more
important and getting more play.
Reducing injuries due to fatigue.
Less cost (travel and accommodation).
Would attract more people who can't quite afford to give up whole
weekends as they have a 'life'.
Would allow me to have a 'life' over the summer.
The the final (two day, 6 game) end of season tournaments would
really be a big deal.
The fun/party/camping tournaments would really come into their own.
Here's how I would do it:
Tour 1: Regional, over two consecutive Saturdays.
Tour 2: One in the South, one in the North, over two consecutive
Saturdays.
Tour 3: National, over one weekend.
Jack
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