Regional Events - Have we got it right

[Scott]

I'm fixtures sec for our club. I only have the option of selecting 'local' when registering a new fixture. So, unless an event gets the sanction of some higher authority, then that's always going to be how our events will appear on the fixtures list.

You need to apply to your regional fixtures sec (by email/telephone/post) if you want a L2/"Regional" event, just like you had to for old-fashioned Regional events.

[graeme]

we'd quite like to classify our forthcoming event at Darnaway on 7th Feb as something a bit more attractive..

There's some precedent for doing this...
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9350&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=moray+mix
... maybe you could ask the people involved in that event ,
about which somebody who stands by his opinion wrote: Anyone else thinking of staging the best event of 2009 can forget it.

[Sunlit Forres]

Thanks Scott (& Graeme). I still think clubs should have an option of self-declaring an event as 'district' to differentiate it from local. By going to regional fixtures secs it implies we're expecting to deconflict an event with other events in Scotland. In the case of Darnaway the event has already been deconflicted within our 'district' - this date was the one given to us by the North East Fixtures group. It conflicts with the Compass Sport Cup Scottish round in Tayside however (which came as a surprise); but we just accept that as one of those things - there are only so many dates in the calendar. It does seem a bit of a shame though, as Darnaway is a regular February fixture for us and it always attracts a good Central Belt following which I dont think will be the case this year due to the CSC. It certainly won't if folk think it's just a 'local' event' so I'll apply for 'regional' status as advised by Scott.

As a matter of interest Graeme, the Moray Mix was just a local event - and registered as such. It was through word of mouth, our own advertising and the courses/area on offer that we attracted an entry of nearly 350. Due to lack of personnel on the ground we kept it as a 'local' and kept with local prices (a tenner for both events) but that didn't stop people in the entries queue grumbling when the inexperienced registration staff couldn't cope with people wanting to change courses and drawing new maps when we ran out etc etc. Interestingly, lack of age class competition didn't seem to be an issue - everyone just gravitated to the course they fancied running. By showing age classes in the results it still enabled folk to see how they did against others of similar age, so I really do agree that the new system of entering whatever course you like ar 'regionals' is a good thing.

[Mrs H]

It was through word of mouth, our own advertising and the courses/area on offer that we attracted an entry of nearly 350.

Yes promotion will be key in the new system - I'm not sure many clubs have twigged that yet. If you've got something really good to offer - great area, new map, EVO whatever - then make sure everyone knows about it

[Lumpy Lycra]

> LOT, I genuinely believe that the new system allows "nutters like me" to treat the M21's black course as a TD5 long O without undermining age-class competition for those for whom it is meaningful. So my answer to your question from a personal perspective is a resounding "yes" - but there is obviously something I am misunderstanding. So what it is about some events that have led you to avoid them -

is it the marketing - ie advertising by colour rather than by age class?

is it the entry system - ie having to choose a colour rather than say W45L?

is it the results display - ie by colour rather than class (or better still both!)?

or something else?

[Mrs H]

Oooo sorry Lumpy I may not understand what you run but I will defend to the death your right to run it?

[Lumpy Lycra]

no offence meant or taken!

[Eeyore]

From the latest CompassSport magazine...
Following the Survey from the Scottish 6 days, it seems 88% preferred the original format of Age classes for Regional events (What a suprise!)

Oh, and didnt I/we say we shouldn't do away with Age classes?

Well it appears from the posts here that 88% agree that the new structure is fine.

But I don't think it is any more representative than the survey mentioned. It is a snapshot of the people who post here, just as the other one was as self selecting. I was one of the 12% who thought the new system was fine. People are always wary of change, but as far I can see the regional events are still the same. The SOLs still have the same people ruuning the same course; they are just called something different. We get results by course or class. I can still compare myself to the same people as I always did and am still nearer the bottom rather than the top.

I obviously can't comment on other regions but the Dales Trophy seemed the same as a SOL except for the overheard moanings about the lack of age classes. The organisers provided a myriad of result formats including age class results and had specified which course to run for the age trophies on the details. I really don't see the problem.

[SJC]

Well it appears from the posts here that 88% agree that the new structure is fine.

Opinions on the new structure may well vary according to where you live.
To judge from reports the SOLs offer high quality competition on top quality terrain.
The East Midlands equivalent offers mediocre competition on terrain that varies from ok to dreadful.
To emulate the SOLs in most of England, needs something bigger than just a Regional League, but without the events being as widespread as the old national events.

[Lumpy Lycra]

The East Midlands equivalent offers mediocre competition on terrain that varies from ok to dreadful.

But how has the new approach to labelling course changed this? how is the terrain or competition any more mediocre than before?

[andypat]

I understand a similar argument is currently raging in sub saharan Africa regarding the dubious quality of skiing there!

[Gnitworp]

Sand skiing?

[awk]

Well it appears from the posts here that 88% agree that the new structure is fine.

Opinions on the new structure may well vary according to where you live.
To judge from reports the SOLs offer high quality competition on top quality terrain.
The East Midlands equivalent offers mediocre competition on terrain that varies from ok to dreadful.
To emulate the SOLs in most of England, needs something bigger than just a Regional League, but without the events being as widespread as the old national events.

Scotland does cover a wider geographical area, and a greater diversity of terrain than English regions. Maybe what's needed is something like Southern, Midland and Northern O-Leagues, to ensure greater diversity, or something similar where associations combine, thus providing sufficiently good diversity and quality, without excessive travel? Personally, I'd agree that my own region doesn't provide enough diversity or enough 'good' terrain to attract me to a YOL, but an NOL or similar might. Equally, an English series would simply involve way too much travel (the Nopesport League allows for travel by public transport and much easier access than conventional events, making a British series more acceptable to us).

[LostOldTimer]

Lets see how many people here agree...
See the NEW Regional Events POLL

From the latest CompassSport magazine...
Following the Survey from the Scottish 6 days, it seems 88% preferred the original format of Age classes for Regional events (What a suprise!)

Oh, and didnt I/we say we shouldn't do away with Age classes?

Well it appears from the posts here that 88% agree that the new structure is fine.

But I don't think it is any more representative than the survey mentioned. It is a snapshot of the people who post here, just as the other one was as self selecting. I was one of the 12% who thought the new system was fine. People are always wary of change, but as far I can see the regional events are still the same. The SOLs still have the same people ruuning the same course; they are just called something different. We get results by course or class. I can still compare myself to the same people as I always did and am still nearer the bottom rather than the top.

I obviously can't comment on other regions but the Dales Trophy seemed the same as a SOL except for the overheard moanings about the lack of age classes. The organisers provided a myriad of result formats including age class results and had specified which course to run for the age trophies on the details. I really don't see the problem.

[graeme]

Scotland does cover a wider geographical area ... an English series would simply involve way too much travel

SOLs aren't what you'd call low on travel... A triangular round trip to SOL2, SOL3 and SOL6 (Ardnaskie-Teviothead-Forvie and back) won't leave you much change out of 600 miles; and you still wont complete the series!. Not that anyone managed all three with so little driving. There are no short cuts to quality.